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Jacknodded, deciding to leave it at that.Hewas in foreign territory here, and he’d just have to do his best to figure it out as he went.
Hepulled his truck under the porte cochere of the hotel, and then hopped out of the driver’s seat.Rosaliewas already waiting in the lobby, and she bounded out the front doors with a little wave when she spotted him.Shelooked beautiful, as always, even with her hair up in a ponytail, and wearing a sweatshirt and skinny jeans under her coat.Heloved seeing her put together, but he liked casualRosaliethe best of all because she was real, and he knew how few people saw the real her.
“Hey,” she said, wrapping her arms around him for a hug and planting a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Longtime no see.”
Helaughed, because he’d seen her last night whileChloehad been at the movies with her friends.They’dgone for a walk in the snow, then had sex in the shower, then snuggled in bed watchingSeinfeldbefore he’d had to leave to pick upChloe.
“Ifeel likeIget to see a new side of you today,” she said, her eyes flicking between him and the truck, whereChloesat behind the tinted windows. “Jackin full dad mode.”
“BeingChloe’sdad is a huge part of my life,” he agreed, nodding. “Hangingout with the three of us together is a big step.Areyou nervous?”
“Ohyeah.Ibarely slept last night, replaying the same questions over and over in my mind,” she said quietly. “Whatif she doesn’t like me?WhatifNorahdoesn’t like me?WhatifIscrew this whole thing up?”Shewas talking faster and faster, andJackslipped a hand under her chin.
“Hey, hey.Slowdown.Shealready likes you.Youarranged for her to meetCarrie, so she already thinks you’re the shit.Plus, she’s eleven.Theonly people she truly likes are her friends.You’renot going to screw anything up.”Hetucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Thefact that this obviously matters so much to you makes me want to kiss the shit out of you right now.”
Shelaughed. “Itdoes matter to me.Becauseyou matter to me, and therefore so does getting to know your daughter, as nervous asImight be.”
Hekissed her forehead and then opened the passenger’s side door for her.Sheclimbed in and immediately turned toChloe.
“Hey,Chloe,” she said. “Ibrought you something.”
Chloe’seyebrows rose. “Youdid?”
“Yeah.”Rosaliereached into her bag and pulled out a pretty frame that accommodated several pictures. “Theones with you andCarrie.Ithought you might want a keepsake.”
Chloe’seyes widened and she took the frame with a small gasp. “Oh, this is so cool.Thankyou!”
“You’rewelcome,” saidRosalie, and asJackbuckled up his seatbelt, he could see a hint of relief in the set ofRosalie’sshoulders.Hisheart beat happily in his chest.Hedidn’t have any expectations that they’d become best friends overnight, but he knew thatRosaliefit with him, and that with time, she’d fit withChloe, too.Ifhe was honest, he’d known it since the first night he’d met her.Andsince the night at the falls, it had been undeniable.
Maybethe legend was true, he mused as he drove, getting on the highway to drive to the next town over where the food bank was located.He’dbeen kissed by the mist of the falls under the light of the full moon, and he felt as though his true love had been revealed to him.Thefact that he was meant to be withRosaliewas obvious to him.
God, if this was howAdamfelt aboutHazel, he could see why he was ring shopping only a few months in.Ithad been less than a month since he’d first metRosalie, and now he couldn’t picture his life without her.
Theyarrived at the food bank about ten minutes later,RosalieandChloechatting about all thingsCarrieClarkfor most of the drive.Hepulled into the parking lot, his heart constricting at the families already lined up outside the door.
Theyheaded inside through the back door,Chloemoving to her usual station in the back while she said hello to the other volunteers.Jacklaced his fingers throughRosalie’sand gave her a short tour, showing her where the food was stored, the small office used for management, and the front, which was set up like a storefront, with a counter where people who’d pre-registered for a hamper could pick one up.
“Ilike that this looks more like a grocery store instead of a typical food pantry,” saidRosalie, her lips pursed thoughtfully. “Ithink it destigmatizes the food scarcity more and more people are experiencing.”
“Icouldn’t agree more,” said a woman from behind them, and they both turned.
“Rosalie, this isBarbaraPeters.Sheruns the food bank.”
Rosalieheld out her hand. “HiBarbara,” she said easily. “I’mRosalieCrawford,Jack’sgirlfriend.”
“Welcome,” she said warmly. “We’realways happy to have more volunteers.I’mthe only paid employee here, andIdon’t know whatI’ddo without volunteers likeJack, who take on so much.”
Jackfelt the tips of his ears go hot, and he ducked his head. “Justdoing my part,” he said.
“It’sa shame you’ve already got a job, because it’s going to be hard to find someone to take over whenIretire in the spring.”
“You’reretiring?” askedJack, his eyebrows raising.
Barbaranodded. “I’mready.ButfirstIneed to make sureI’mleaving this place in good hands.Ifyou know anyone looking for a job in the nonprofit sector that doesn’t pay well and comes with a fair bit of stress, let me know,” she said with a little laugh. “I’lllet you get to it.I’mgoing to open the doors in five minutes.”
Forthe next two hours, they were non-stop busy handing out hampers, restocking shelves, and answering questions from customers.Eventhough she’d never been here before,Rosaliewas in her element, her natural warmth and ease with people shining through.Shewas radiant as she restocked a display of apples, gorgeous as she helped an elderly woman decide between canned tuna and salmon, beautiful as she laughed at somethingBarbarasaid.Jackfelt proud that she was his.
Thatwas how he thought of her now.HisRosalie.
