Page 67 of Promise

She’s grown so much since I’ve returned. Since she arrived. She’s nine weeks old and every day brings some new development. Some little change that feels so big, and I don’t want to miss any of it. I don’t want to miss her first word or first step. When she can sit up and eat her first food.

I still want to rock her at night, feel her snuggle into my chest, keep her safe from nightmares, and make all her daydreams come true.

Startled by this sudden invitation, I’m still not moving. Not saying anything. Just staring at Mirabelle before I look up at Trin. Her eyes bright and brown, and so warm, so inviting.

“Thank you,” I blow out, catching the emotion in my throat. “Let me just change. You look so nice.” I scan down her outfit again.

She smiles and chews on her lower lip. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” I say again, running my hand over her shoulder before rushing past her to change into fresh jeans and a crisp tee. RiverFest isn’t anything formal, but this will be my first appearance in public with Trinity. And the baby.

I don’t give a flying fuck what people think of me, but I care about Trin. What people might have thought on her behalf. How they’ve treated her.

Rogue River is a small town. Certainly, news has traveled about how Mirabelle came to be and how I’ve returned.

And I intend to hold my head high and stand by Trinity’s side, taking any lashing I know I’ve earned.

Trin has me drive her sporty SUV because of the car seat. Parking is a struggle in the overcrowded town. Other than my visits to the ballfield and The Ferryman’s Rest, I haven’t been in town.

This little area comes alive for a festival, and RiverFest is no different.

“You excited?” I ask, once we park.

“A little nervous for some reason,” she admits.

My heart plummets to my belly. “Worried about being seen with me?” I try to keep it light. Almost a joke, but I’m concerned she’s suddenly having second thoughts about the three of us being out together.

“No.” She smiles warmly, reaching over to grab my wrist and giving it a squeeze before releasing me too quickly.

When Trin and I first started getting together, we were a secret. Sneaking off to make out at bars and eventually hooking up at her place, although it was never as casual as hooking up for me. When I pressed that I wanted to go public with our relationship, she hesitated, and I panicked.

“You don’t want to be seen with me?” I knew I would never be good enough, but her hesitation stung.

“Just want to keep you for myself a little longer.” It wasn’t a line. Wasn’t said in some cheesy way to appease me. She’d turned bright red and ducked her head, like she was embarrassed she’d admitted that to me.

“Why?” I’d been truly baffled back then.

She shrugged. “Just don’t want to share you yet.”

She never had to worry. She wasn’t sharing me with anyone. I was proud to have her under my arm and at my side. I was all in with her.

This time, I wasn’t certain what the hesitation might be, but I decided not to dwell. She invited me to attend RiverFest with her. We’d be surrounded by friends and family, and a community that loved her, despite what they might think of me.

I reach for Trin’s hand and pull it to my lips. “It’s going to be a great day.”

“Yeah,” she whispers, a little more confidently.

I pop open my door and round the SUV to open Trinity’s door. While she takes Mirabelle out of the car seat, I open the hatch to remove the stroller. The thing is quite the contraption, but opens easily and gives Mirabelle a space to be upright and shaded, and facing Trinity.

Mirabelle smiles up at Trinity as she smiles down on her. Smiling is a new thing, and my heart nearly explodes every time Mirabelle gives me that little lopsided grin. Her cheeks are so round and her eyes so vibrant yet dark. Maybe she’ll even look a little like Trin when she gets older. Same strawberry blonde hair. Brown eyes. It could happen.

As we walk down the street, Trin pushing the stroller, I set my hand on her lower back, helping guide her path, while also disguising the sudden tremor in mine.

Being here with Trin feels like a huge victory. One I will not take lightly. We’re making a debut of sorts. A reunited couple. That’s how I view us, but I need Trin to confirm that status.

To say yes to us.

As we reach the town’s green space, cramped with visitors on blankets and picnic benches, our first stop is The Babbling Bean’s booth.