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As Mrs. Abrams chatted about planting the flowers in memory of her late husband, Jane felt a pang. She hoped to someday have the kind of lifelong partnership the widow had known. To grow old with someone, weathering life’s ups and downs side by side, had to be an amazing gift.
Shaking herself, Jane rang up the purchase and waved as the woman ambled out the door. An uncertain future awaited, but she knew Bridger would stand by her side through it all. For now, that was enough.
Jane turned back to Bridger, who had been waiting patiently while she helped Mrs. Abrams. A heavy silence fell between them. So much was unspoken, so much uncertainty ahead.
She busied herself tidying up behind the counter, avoiding Bridger’s gaze. She could feel his eyes on her, sense him wanting to say something but holding back.
After a few moments, Bridger cleared his throat awkwardly. “Well, I should get back to the ranch. Still have some repairs to finish up. Once Tai and Mason get back, I’ll take Kellen out four-wheeling this afternoon if he wants.”
“Thank you,” she said. “For everything.”
He offered a breath-taking smile in response. If she weren’t so beat-up over Kellen, she would have had to clutch the counter to stay on her feet.
“See you tonight.” He headed for the door.
Before he reached it, the door flew open, making the bell jingle wildly.
Paige rushed in, cheeks flushed red. She froze halfway between the door and the counter and pressed a hand to her heaving chest. “I am so out of shape. Note to self. Step up the cardio.”
Then she strode to the counter. Bridger followed, eyebrows lifted.
Paige flattened her palms on the counter. “I have great news! I had to tell you in person.” She put up her hands, sucking in a huge breath before continuing. “Kate and Fenn located Kellen’s aunt. She has a special needs child of her own and has no interest in fighting the adoption. In fact, she’s willing to sign a notarized statement confirming she won’t interfere.”
Knees weak and ears buzzing, Jane replayed the words in her head. Kellen was free to adopt. She eyed Bridger to be sure she’d heard correctly.
The relief on his face mirrored her own emotions. She’d heard right. Kellen would be hers.
“Oh Paige, that’s wonderful!” Jane rushed around the end of the counter to hug her friend.
Paige hugged her back tightly.”I know! Isn’t it amazing?”
Jane stepped back, her eyes glistening. “I can’t thank you all enough. Knowing I can keep him…” The rest of the sentence piled up behind a huge lump in her throat. Her eyes stung with tears.
Paige squeezed her hand supportively. “Sometimes, things go exactly the way they should.”
“I was so worried Kellen’s aunt would try to take him away,” she confessed. “But now...”
“Now he gets to stay here, with the people who love him,” Paige finished.
Jane nodded, blinking back tears. After all the loss and heartache, knowing Kellen would be hers––legally, this time––filled her with profound gratitude.
Still grinning, Paige backed away, revealing Bridger, eyes closed, head bowed in prayer. When he looked up, Jane saw all the promise of a life she’d dreamed of.
The life she’d so wrongly imagined when she married Pete.
There’d be a long fight ahead, custody filings and such. She knew little about the adoption process except that it would take months. Years, maybe. She wouldn’t truly rest easily until the papers were signed, but this was the biggest leap done.
Now to see how things with Bridger progressed. She had to be cautious. Not of him, but of her own natural optimism. Things would come in their own time.
The bell above the door signaled another customer. Bridger took Paige’s arm, waving goodbye as he led his teammate out.
“We’ll have dinner on,” he said as they disappeared.
As she helped Nora from the diner across the street, her heart was full of hope. With Kellen legally free to be adopted, it was like the storm clouds had finally parted. A glimpse of sunshine peeked through, lighting the way ahead.
45
A week later,Bridger and the team prepared for the big reveal of Kellen’s redecorated room in Jane’s house. He’d managed to convince her to stay at headquarters until the team finished the work. He only wished it had taken longer. He loved having her and Kellen under the same roof.
