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“That’s such a pretty name.”
“Thank you. As soon as I heard it, I knew it was my baby girl.”
July sits in the chair across from me and looks around the house. I can tell she’s nervous about something.
“What?” I ask, and she turns to me.
“It’s as if you never left right now. You know me so well.”
“A bit. We’ve both grown a lot. Tell me what you’ve been up to.”
She goes on to explain she’s been married for almost two years, and that her sister June moved back home last spring. Her parents still live in the area. She tells me about her veterinary practice. I tell her about my new job at the zoo as the zoologist for the African elephants and rhino exhibits. She hasn’t asked me what’s really on her mind. And I think I’ve figured it out as she continues to look around my house.
“July, you can ask me whatever you want. We once knew each other better than anyone. I’m not married, if that’s what you were wondering.”
“Yeah. I was curious why Mari’s father wasn’t here to help and you hadn’t mentioned anyone.”
“It’s just me and Mari. My mom will be moving back next week. She had a house built on Gram’s property.”
“How is that?”
“My mom?”
“Yeah. My mom said that when you came back for the funeral it was just you and your mom. That your parents are divorced now.”
“Yeah, that was a long time ago. My father lives in New Zealand with his new family. Mom and I are better than ever. This little one has brought us closer.” I nod down to Mari, who is squirming in my arms. “I’m going to need to get some more baby things for her. We’ve been staying with a friend in Atlanta, and I didn’t want to inundate her with a baby store in her living room. But I need a bouncy seat and a saucer for her to play in.” I stand up. “Hey, I hope I’m not stepping on toes, but do you want to order some pizza?”
“I wish I could, but Wes should be home shortly. He just texted and said he was leaving the shop. Also, the best pizza is still pickup only. Maybe we can get together for a girls’ night another time?”
“I’d love that.”
I walk her to the door as the rumble of a motorcycle approaches. This time it’s only one, and I watch as the man who waved at me earlier swings off it and takes July into his arms when she gets to him. I hear her giggle and can almost feel the love coming off them both. I close and lock the door, then head for my phone to call in a pizza order. I plan on spending the night unpacking and organizing.
CHAPTER2
SYDNEY
It’s been a week since I moved back home. I’ve been working on unpacking and decorating for the upcoming holiday in a couple of days. My mom is here now, and she’s been bugging me to come over so she can get some time with Mari.
I pull into my driveway and stop to unarm the house alarm and open the garage door. The weather is cool, but the sun is still bright.
I only worked part day at the zoo today. The drive to work in Nashville has been about an hour in heavy traffic, but today was good with getting off early. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the day-to-day work and not being out in the field every day or traveling to all the exotic locations, but Mari is worth it. I like having a regular bed every night and not living out of a suitcase.
I pull into the garage, where boxes still line the walls. As I shut off the engine while the door goes down, I decide I’m going to grill burgers for dinner tonight. In South Africa I could get burgers, but there is nothing like a goodgrilledburger. I missed cheeseburgers and pizza living over there. I unload Mari and carry her into the house. Then I quickly change out of my khaki uniform into a pair of jeans and a baggy cable knit sweater. I grab Mari’s jumper walker saucer—hell, I don’t know what they call these things, but she loves it—and drag it out on to the back deck so she can play in the sun while I get the grill ready.
“Are you grilling in the wintertime?” July’s voice comes from across the fence.
“It’s not that cold and I want a burger.” I laugh.
“The girl’s right, it isn’t cold. Back home I grill year round.” A deep voice joins in, and I look over to see an older man standing with her. I remember what her dad looks like, so I know it’s not him. “Hello, I’m Troy,” he says as he reaches his hand across the fence for me to shake. I’m not trying to be rude, but meeting new people makes me nervous now. I look down at Mari and back to the man standing there with his hand out. I need to stop fearing everything. I walk across the deck and down toward the chest high fence.
“Hello, Troy, I’m Sydney.” I watch as his hand engulfs mine.
“Troy is Tuck’s dad. He’s staying with us over the holiday.”
“Tuck?” I look over at July.
“Oh, that’s right, you haven’t met him yet.” July explains that Tuck is one of Wes’s biker brothers.
