Page 98 of Silver Brewer

And we’re back to this.

“I remember.”

“No,” she says, reaching across the table for my wrist. “Not like that. It’s that I don’t want to share him with a stranger. I want to be home for him. I want to give him a family.”

“I think you need to back up a bit. What about your job?”

Her hand slips from my wrist, and I watch it retreat.

“I quit my job. I put the condo on the market.” She shrugs. “I guess I just leaped, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll figure out something after I finish Mr. Calder’s story. I have enough savings to last me a year.”

I stare at her. Just like that. She left it all behind. For me? For us?

“Letty, let’s be straight here. What were you hoping?”

She looks away and brushes at her cheek. If she cries, I’m a goner, but she turns back to me, dry-eyed.

“I was hoping you’d say yes to me…to Finn and me…but I don’t want to pressure you. I know I made a mistake. A big one. I didn’t think I was being fair to you, so I set you free. Only my heart wouldn’t let you go. I was hoping…but…I can see I’m too late.”

She stands, lifting her plate. Stepping forward, she goes to walk past me to the sink, but I catch her forearm.

“Who said you were too late?”

Finn drops his cup off his booster seat, and we both look in his direction. He smiles over at me, and Letty pulls free of my grasp. She sets the dishes by the sink and then returns for Finn’s cup.

“Cricket,” I demand. She didn’t answer me.

“I think we should talk later.”

Yes, talk, but I have other plans as well.

+ + +

Letty gives Finn a bath, and then he wobbles around my cabin, holding her fingers, stretching his legs, and cooing as he goes. When he starts rubbing at his eyes, Letty gives him a bottle, and he falls asleep against her. It’s a vision I want to see every night. She disappears into my room to set him in the portable crib and then returns to the front room.

“I only have beer,” I say to her, rising from the couch and heading for the fridge. “It’s a summer blend. I have one that’s made with lemonade, our Summer Shanty, and one that’s more berry, Berry Brew.”

“A Summer Shanty would be fine.”

I return quickly, finding her sitting on the couch, her knees tucked under her as she faces me.

“Thanks,” she says, taking the beer from my hand. I fall onto the cushions next to her. We remain silent for too long, and I feel forced to fill the quiet. She’s the one who chirps, but she’s surprisingly not speaking.

“So,” I huff out.

“So,” she whispers.

I exhale. There’s so much I want to say, ask, do, and I’m afraid if I don’t, I’m going to lose her forever.

“I got a very cryptic email from Marcus a few days back.”

“Marcus?” she shrieks, and I watch her swallow hard.

“He said something about you being free, and the courts ruled in your favor. I assume since you’re here, the adoption passed.”

“Well, there was a bit of a hiccup, but it’s all settled now.”

I stare at her, telling her with my glare she needs to speak.