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Kate put one hand over Josie’s. “That could make the original adoption null and void, couldn’t it?” When Josie grimaced, Kate patted her hand. “And now you’re caught in the middle. You gave her life, you then went and saved her life, the most wonderful act any mother can do, and now here she is, with the wrong person…but she’s happy, so how do you upset an apple cart that seems to be successfully carting around piles of apples?”
“That’s a horrible analogy, Mom. But apt.” Kimberly held up one finger. “First of all, I can’t believe you never told me any of this, except that I honestly get it.” When Josie made a doubtful face, Kimberly waved it off. “No, I do. I was kind of a jerk in Nashville, and there’s a history there I’d prefer we leave hidden forever, and the fiancé dumping me before I moved back here was only the tip of that iceberg of stupidity. So I probably understand far more than you know, but here’s the thing. It’s May. He’s going to be here with Addie until after the grand opening July 1, and that leaves you time to digest the facts and then decide what to do. Can you talk to him about this? Like face-to-face, grown-up style?”
Could she? Josie hesitated. “I think I could, eventually. If I do it now, he’s going to think I took the restaurant deal because of Addie.”
“Well…” Kimberly’s frank expression called her out on that.
“Okay, I did, but I’d have taken it anyway, once I calmed down and got over the fact that big business can just swoop in and kick the little people aside. So maybe in a week or two?”
“He’ll know you better. You’ll know him better. You said he’s single?” Kate asked.
“I only know that because Addie tried to get him to ask me out when we first met.”
“Solves everything from my vantage point,” said Kate, and when Josie shot her a dark look, Kate ticked off her fingers. “You get a nice guy with a great job, you get your daughter, and a restaurant. Triple win, Josephine June.”
Josie leaned closer. “Is this before or after I explain to him that the original adoption decree might be fraudulent and that he might have to give up custody of the child he so clearly loves?”
“When will Cruz know something?”
Josie shook her head. “He was having the adoption attorney go all out, but I don’t know how long that might take. It’s an awkward situation, and in the end, if I declare myself, I end up doing the very thing I never wanted to do. Mess up my kid with the wretchedness of how she came into this world.”
“What does she look like?” Cissy leaned closer, and Kimberly answered before Josie could get a chance.
“You.”
“Me?” Cissy lifted both brows. “I had three children, and not one of them resembled me at all. All three look like their dad, God rest his soul, although Josie got a little of my red in her hair color.”
“This one has it,” Josie told her. “She’s the image of you. Copper hair, deep green eyes, just a few freckles, fair skin and that same oval face. She looks like a Morgan, Mom. Like you and your sisters.”
“What is her name?”
“Adeline. He calls her Addie.”
“I have to see her. Can I come by, Josie? Sometime when she’ll be around? I’d just like to see her for myself.”
“Cissy.” Kate’s voice held caution. “Is that the best idea?”
“Would you do it if the situation were reversed?” Cissy asked, and Kate nodded instantly.
“Absolutely. I’d probably be arrested for stalking. The fact that I’d do it doesn’t make it the best idea, though.”
“We could all stop by to pick Josie up to go shopping for baby things, and then it doesn’t look like a setup.”
“Fiendishly clever idea.” Kate pounced on Kimberly’s words like a cat on a mouse. “Then we can discuss the possibilities while we pick out baby things.”
“You won’t say anything? Any of you?” Josie scanned the three women. Each one solemnly shook her head. “Then all right. I want you to see her. To see how perfectly amazing and beautiful and wonderful she is.”
