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“I might ask you for your advice on a few things,” I told her. “I would love to have a professional opinion.”
Erin laughed. “I’m hardly a professional. I might be out of college, but I’m having a tough time getting someone to hire me in writing, so that might tell you something about how good I am.”
“No. You know as well as I do that it can take a long time to break into the industry. It’s got nothing to do with how good of a writer you are, and everything to do with being in the right place at the right time. Maybe when I get my book published, I will have met enough people in the industry who can help you get your own career up and running. No promises on that front, but if there’s any way I can help, I will.”
“You’ve no idea how much I appreciate that,” she told me. “I know it’s just a matter of finding the right fit, but there’s times when I’ll admit it’s just downright discouraging. It seems like there’s not a right fit out there, and I wonder if I spent all that time and money pursuing something that just wasn’t the right field for me.”
“You’re young,” I told her. “It’s going to take time, but if you’re persistent, you’ll get there. It’s not the kind of job that pans out overnight. Trust me.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” she said. “You’re the one who is publishing a book. I’ve just got a piece of paper that says I can write goodly.”
I laughed. “As long as you keep a good attitude, you’ll be fine.”
We reached the Jeep, and Libby hesitated. She’d been so excited to come get Erin with me; it was as though she had forgotten her PTSD. But now that we had Erin and had to get back home, she seemed to be struck with the fear that constantly lingered in her mind when it came to riding in a vehicle.
“Can I sit in the back with you?” Erin asked. “I like riding in the back of the car better. Especially since I want you to tell me about the things you want us to go out and do this summer before we get to the house.”
“You don’t mind?” Libby asked her with wide eyes.
I knew right away what Erin was doing, looking for a way to distract Libby and keep her from being scared on the drive back to the house. It was a brilliant move, and I wondered how Erin knew what to do.
“Of course not, I would love to,” Erin said. “If there’s room for both of us.”
“There will be if your bags are up front,” Libby said as she pointed to the front seat.
“Do you mind?” Erin asked me.
“Not at all,” I said. “Thank you.”
The way she looked at my daughter made my heart catch in my throat. There was so much adoration for my little girl in her eyes, it made my own heart swell with affection toward Erin. I knew I had to keep my head in the right spot and not get caught up with the idea we could be a good family. No, that wasn’t what this was about.
I could appreciate Erin for what she was doing with Libby and leave it at that.
But I couldn’t stop my heart from warming toward Erin as she slid into the car next to Libby, buckling her up before putting her own seatbelt on. I knew she was doing it for Libby’s sake, and that meant the world to me. Clearly, Erin knew what she was doing when it came to little girls.
And that was just what I was hoping for.
This might have been a better idea than I even realized.
I already never wanted it to end.
Chapter Ten
Erin
“Comein,”Icalledout.
The day had passed in a whirlwind for me. As soon as we got back to the condo, Libby took over. She led me back into the house, showing me what she had done with the bathroom, and beaming over how she had made my bed and cleaned my room.
It didn’t look much different than it had when I left the other day, but I was sure to gush over everything.
She showed me her dolls, her schoolwork, and her extensive collection of books.
“I didn’t know you were a reader,” I told her.
“I am. I mean, I was. I’m not sure how long I’m going to stay a reader if Dad’s going to write books now. It makes me feel like I have to read his, and I think it’s boring,” she said.
I laughed. “You don’t have to read anything you don’t want to.”
