Page 10 of Found in Wild Sage

“Yes. I am.”

Relief rushes through me. That’s all we need here.

“Good. I’m meeting with Davis later. If it’s acceptable to you, we’ll hash out the details tomorrow.”

If he says it would help, then there’s no reason not to, unless she’s dating someone else or sees this as a problem with work. I’ll make sure there’s plenty of documentation to ensure she’s got every right and safety available.

“Oh. Sure. Yeah. I could meet you tomorrow.” Her words are slow, but clear.

“Good.”

It’s not quite settled, but it will be soon.

CHAPTER FIVE

Evie

I’m living in an alternate reality.

Honestly, I’m deeply unimpressed with my brain’s ability to function right now. I managed life with a newborn after fleeing my abusive fiancé and then being kidnapped by said fiancé. I moved forward.

But right now? My brain is stuck in a honey-like substance and it’s making me feel like an alien in my own skin.

Declan Ryan wants to marry me to help me.

He is not concerned about his own life or the many sacrifices he’d be making.

And he’s meeting with my lawyer to talk it through.

It’s all so unbelievable, but it’s happening. And not in the Upside Down or an alternate universe. We leave the building at the same time, and he slings his leather messenger bag over one shoulder and heads in the direction of the law office.

He’s actually doing it. I don’t know why I’m surprised because again, this is someone who does what he says he’ll do, but I guess that’s just how unreal this all feels.

I’m half tempted to run after him and meet with him and Davis, but I’m so muddled, I’m not sure there’s any point. Plus Hazel and Clementine are expecting me to get Charlie at our usual time, and I can hardly think of anything better than my baby, sweatpants, and my couch.

And at some point, a really, really big bowl of ice cream.

Tomorrow. Everything picks up tomorrow.

Once we’re home and I’ve drummed up dinner for both of us, I play with my little boy until it’s his bedtime. I wish tonight weren’t Friday so I could beg Sam to come over, but she’ll be at the Ryan family dinner.

That sends a jolt through me because so will Declan.

I know the Ryans by name, of course, and via life in a small town. I see the entire family at least once a year when they come in for their annual checkups at the clinic, but I also see them around. May at Corner Coffee, Eirinn and the kids out and about, Mary and Connor, the parents, at the market or town meetings. Finn’s friendly and works at the gym, or maybe just works out a lot? Either way, it’s right downtown so I see him, plus he comes in to meet Declan for lunch every other week.

And of course, I see Grant since he’s the sheriff and also happens to be the person who delivered Charlie on the side of the road.

But I don’t know them. I have no idea how they’ll react to the news that Declan and I are getting married, and it’s not something we could keep quiet. We’d actually probably want to be loud about it, for the judge’s sake. I’m guessing it’s one more thing he hasn’t considered.

If Davis agrees it’s a good idea, we’ll have to talk through all of this. Every possible angle. I don’t want to mess things up with his family, and I don’t want to ruin his life.

But I do want to keep Charlie—both because I believe I am the person who can raise him best, and because I don’t have any faith Trevor actually wants him so he can be a father. I cannot allow him to have Charlie.

Maybe it’s the clarity I have on the matter that makes me feel so numb about all of this. I don’t have anything to grapple with because if Davis says it’ll look good to the court, then it’s a done deal on my end. The only hesitation I have is what Declan will be giving up.

I make it through the night by promising myself that if Declan wants to move forward, I will grill him with all of my concerns before we go through with it.

My amazing sitter aka Charlie’s beloved teacher Clementine arrives, and I leave a few minutes early, promising myself I will not sweat through my T-shirt and I will not cry.