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“Really?” She couldn’t believe it. She’d been wondering how they were going to juggle the kids, with her job and his job, and whether they’d get a nanny or hire someone full-time or how they would do that.
“I wanted to talk with you first. But honestly, I have no idea how to be a dad. I mean, I’ve had my dad’s example, but I wouldn’t say it’s a good one. Maybe it’s more of a blueprint of things that I don’t want to do, but I’m willing to learn.”
“I don’t have any better idea of how to be a mom. I’ve seen Lark, but I think my parents’ example was probably just as bad as yours. They were much more concerned about looks and prestige than they were about actual character. They talked the talk, but they never walked the walk and in fact built a house of cards that collapsed shortly after their death.”
She didn’t blame them for it and didn’t hold it against them, but she wanted better than that for her own children.
Speaking of children. “I’d like to adopt the girls if we can.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t thinking that, but I was definitely thinking that they were going to be our children. If not legally, at least that’s the way we would treat them.”
“If I recall correctly, the mother has already lost her parental rights, and the grandmother has guardianship. If she approves of us, it might be a simple, straightforward thing.” She hardly dared to hope that would actually happen. Adoptions typically were not simple nor straightforward, and one involving three girls would probably be a lot more complicated than one involving just one child.
“All right. I actually have several lawyers on my team. They’re not exactly well-versed in adoption law, but they might be able to connect us with some people who can make the process as painless as possible.”
“That would be amazing,” she said, smiling with relief. She had to admit having someone beside her was so much better than trying to do everything by herself. Which, up to that point in her life, had pretty much been the way it was.
She wasn’t always a great team player. She liked to do things her way. She hadn’t been kidding when she said that to him earlier. But in return for being a team player, she had someone on her team. It seemed obvious, but she liked the payoff. At least now.
“Come on. I know you’re hungry, and that chicken is calling you.” She grinned.
“It sure is. I’ve forgotten what a great cook Aunt Carol is. I’m not sure why I ever moved away.”
“Oh. Well, about that. That whole cooking thing. I... I’m not a good cook.” That was the understatement of the year. She could boil water. And she might be able to throw chicken on a tray and put it in the oven, but to actually make it taste good might be a whole different concept.
“Awesome. We found a flaw. And here I was starting to think you’re perfect.”
She laughed, but she didn’t think from looking at his face that he was kidding. It made her feel good down to her toes, mostly because she didn’t think he would just say the words without meaning them. He hadn’t given her a bunch of empty flattery up until that point, and she was pretty sure that this was not him starting. Rather, it was him telling her something sincere, and she appreciated that as they hobbled into the house together.
Chapter 14
Was rain on one’s weddingday a bad omen?
James couldn’t remember if that was a thing or not as he paced in the small room off to the side of the pulpit of the church in town.
He and Mabel had both agreed that they would prefer their wedding be in a church.
