“So I have an idea, but I wanted to bring it up to you before pitching it to Sawyer.”
“I’m listening.”
“How do you feel about adopting River?”
“I’ve already suggested it to Sawyer. But I’d be willing to do anything that will help. And being River’s da? That’s the dream.”
“Then let’s talk to Sawyer. I think with this in place, it also shows that Sawyer has the support she needs. I don’t think Palmer has any chance. But we don’t know him or who he is. So I rather not leave anything to chance.”
We walk over to Sawyer, she’s hugging River and he’s giggling. In the short time we’ve been together, they’ve become my world. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let anyone hurt them. River runs over to the other kids to play.
“So Enzo has an idea, but before he tells you, I want you to know that I want to do this.”
“Okay.” She nods.
“I suggested that Emerson adopt River. It shows that you’re a family. It doesn’t take away from what you’ve done for River, it adds to your family.”
“Is it because you think Palmer has rights to him?”
“No. But we’ve dealt with people who lie and cheat their way through life. And the feeling I get from him makes me feel like he’s that type of person. The way he came in acting like he had any right to demand things really bothered me.”
“Can I have a few minutes to talk to Emerson?”
“Of course. I’ll go and see if Bastian and Franco have found anything.”
Sawyer turns to me, she looks a little sad.
“What if you change your mind about us? I know you’ve said you love me and River, but people can change.”
“Sawyer. There’s one thing I can promise you. I’ll never change my mind about you. Ever. But if you’re still worried about it, how about this? I would never leave River. He’s mine and that’s not something I say lightly. I had the best example of what a da is with mine. He’s never made me feel different from my siblings. He could’ve. But he didn’t, not once. Not even when I was being a shithead when I would lose races. And that’s what I feel for River. He’s my son in every way.”
“I’m just scared. My own family couldn’t or wouldn’t love me. I grew up thinking I was unlovable. And then I had River and I finally had someone I loved. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to do this for us. I trust that Lorenzo will keep Palmer from coming near River?—”
“I’m not saying I want to adopt him only because of what Palmer is doing. I told you before that if you let me, I wanted to adopt him no matter what. In fact, I want to marry you. Fast?Sure. But I know what I want and I also know that no one’s ever made me feel the way you do.”
I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. It makes me so angry that because of those assholes, she’s questioning that I could love her so much. One day she won’t wonder or worry. She’ll finally know unconditional love.
“I’m still worried, what if Palmer has a wife and kids and money? Won’t that make it look like he has a more stable life? And why does he want River? And how did he find out?”
“Breathe, mo chuisle. It’s going to be okay.”
“How’s it going to be okay? I don’t even understand what’s going on.”
“So I found something,” Francesco says as he comes over to us.
“The look on your face isn’t very encouraging.” Sawyer sniffles.
“Well, it looks like Palmer is the only son of Palmer Beaumont the third, he owns the biggest cattle ranch in Illinois and he died six months ago.”
“So why would he be coming after River?” I frown.
“I don’t know yet. But I will find out.”
“We have to head back for our first race in three weeks, should we be worried?” I ask.
“Honestly? It’ll depend on what we find out. I don’t understand why he’s coming after Sawyer and River. It’s not money he needs.”
“And besides that, I don’t have any money and neither does my ex-family. So we can’t offer anything.”
