Page 97 of Finding Forever

“Don’t you dare tell him about the swimming pool,” Kayla warned.

Ryan leaned back in his chair. “I hadn’t even thought of that one. Thanks for reminding me.”

“Uncle Ryan!”

Everyone laughed.

Beth carried the coffee pot around the table, topping up cups as the stories moved from childhood disasters to family vacations.

Rosalind pulled out the empty chair beside her. “Come and talk to me.”

Beth looked at Peter’s empty coffee cup and Rosalind smiled. “Peter can get his own refill. It’s been more than six months since we’ve seen each other.”

Beth left the coffee pot in the middle of the table. Rosalind lived far enough away that visits had to be planned rather than happening spontaneously, but she and Beth had always stayed in touch.

Rosalind reached into her handbag. “I brought something for Kayla.” She removed an old photograph and handed it to Beth.

Her breath caught. It was Jessie. His hair needed cutting, his T-shirt was rumpled, and he was sitting in the old armchair they’d owned when Kayla was born.

Their newborn daughter lay in his arms.

Jessie wasn’t looking at the camera. He was looking at Kayla.

Beth remembered that expression. Wonder. Pride. Love. Everything he’d felt about becoming a father captured in one unguarded moment.

“I found it when I was sorting through some boxes,” Rosalind said quietly. “I thought Kayla should have it.”

Beth ran her fingertip along the edge of the photograph. “I haven’t seen this in years.”

“I made a copy for you, too.”

Beth passed it to Kayla.

Her daughter went very still. “Oh.”

Tyler leaned closer, looking over her shoulder.

Kayla smiled, but her eyes glistened. “Dad looks so young.”

“We all were,” Beth said.

Rosalind reached across and touched Kayla’s arm. “He’d be so proud of you.”

Kayla swallowed. “I wish he was here.”

“So do I,” Rosalind said softly.

Beth looked down at her hands. For a few seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Ryan cleared his throat. “He’d also be giving Tyler the third degree about now.”

Kayla laughed through her tears. “He would not.”

“He absolutely would,” Ryan insisted. “Marrying his daughter is a serious business.”

Tyler nodded solemnly. “I would have been terrified.”

The heaviness lifted.