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“And why is that?”

“Because without them, without everything that’s happened, I wouldn’t have found you and Harley. Or this amazing though absolutely crazy village of women I’m now a card-carrying member of.”

“Should we get matching rings or something?”

“Someday.” Miranda chuckled, though the idea wasn’t a bad one. Maybe she would get to work on that in the near future.

“Mama!” Rebel’s squeal stopped whatever reply Tori might have given. They turned to see Rebel running with all her might toward Tierney. Tierney crouched down, arms wide, and bundled her daughter up the moment she reached her.

“Hey, baby. I’ve missed you so much,” Tierney said, the sob evident in her words.

“Mama, mama, mama.” Rebel wriggled to get put back down. But she grabbed Tierney’s hand and dragged her over to Harley.

Miranda couldn’t hear what Rebel or Tierney said to each other as they reached Harley, but she smiled, imagining Rebel’s enthusiasm at introducing her mom to Harley.

Miranda pulled her eyes away, feeling a pull in her chest that mixed too many emotions, not all good but not all bad. She would have to deal with them later. Right then, a weight heavier than she realized slid from her shoulders.

“She’s had a very tough time.” Sandra made Miranda jump, speaking as she slid up to Miranda’s side.

“I imagine so.” Miranda nodded, eyes pulling away from Tierney and Rebel.

“I thought she could come back with us tonight and you could bring Rebel to see her in a few days, once she’s settled.”

“I don’t mind having Rebel, Mom.” Miranda smiled at her mother. “I think it’s a great idea for you and Tierney to spend some time together.”

“Well…” Sandra sniffed. “…she’s my daughter, and she needs me right now.”

“Yes, she does.” Miranda gave her mother’s hand a quick squeeze before moving back into the crowd of people, shifting between the smaller groups that had emerged organically. She had to escape that one while she could, at least for another day. Tonight was about the woman of her dreams, her soulmate.

thirty-five

“Hi.” Tori smiled, opening the door wider for Miranda to come inside. It was the middle of the day, and the last person Tori expected was Miranda.

“Hello.” Miranda stepped over the threshold with no hesitation. But Tori still sensed trepidation in her girlfriend’s movements.

Her girlfriend.

It still seemed surreal, and she caught herself smiling at the thought. Apparently so did Miranda.

“What is that smile for?” Miranda asked, the one raised eyebrow doing some gooey things to Tori’s insides. She could so easily fall into Miranda for the rest of her life.

“It’s just nice to see you during the day.” Tori’s gaze wandered up and down Miranda’s body. Today’s outfit was a deep blue pantsuit, with a soft gray blouse beneath. The jacket was open, Miranda’s right hand tucked in her pants pocket. The jiggling from within gave Tori the impression that was where Miranda had deposited her keys.

“Well, yes.” Miranda’s hand stilled as though she had heard the tinkling sound for the first time and realized what she was doing.

“Miranda?” Tori held out her hand, and Miranda took it with her free hand. “Are you all right?”

“No,” Miranda stated simply.

“All right. How about we have some coffee, and we can talk?” Tori tried to hold in the anxiety, because while her brain wanted to jump to problems between them, she didn’t think Miranda would be acting like this if that were the case.

“I would love that.”

Tori turned, and the instant loss of Miranda’s hand in her own was startling. Miranda took one of the barstool seats at the kitchen island while Tori made them both coffee, not needing to ask how Miranda liked it.

She caught herself with the same goofy grin once again. But the tension that crackled from behind her pushed her concern for Miranda to the forefront and chased away the thrill of comfort and love.

“Here you go.” Tori brushed her lips across Miranda’s cheek as she set the white ceramic mug on the countertop. Her own mug, a bright yellow smiling sun surrounded by a rainbow pattern, looked garish in comparison, but Tori suspected she would need the extra happiness after whatever Miranda had come to talk about.