Page 109 of Love Me Like You Do

“How will I know if it’s a good family? What if I hand them over, and they don’t see how fierce and smart and loving Paisley is? What if the girls don’t get the attention they deserve? I don’t want them to forget their parents, and I don’t want anyone to gloss over their grief. And you guys, Paisley trusts me. I can’t let her down. If you could see how she takes care of her sister, you’d know just how special she is.” She knew it was love because it was crashing over her right then. Huge, billowing waves of it. “And Evvie’s this tiny ball of energy. She stomps through life, grabbing what she wants. That girl’s got a big personality, and she’s imprinted on Cole like he’s her duck daddy.” She looked at them helplessly. “I can’t have anyone crush her spirit or try to tame her. God, I do. I love them. So much.” And she didn’t know what to do about that. If Darren’s biological mom wanted the girls, how could Hailey deny them their blood relatives? A huge extended family?

She’d been so painfully alone growing up with her mom and a constant stream of strangers. She’d have loved a big family.

She just didn’t know the right thing to do. “I’m torn right down the middle.”

“Right now, you and Cole are the guardians,” Glori said. “The girls are yours. You’ll only place them in a new home if you feel that’s what’s best.” She gave Hailey a swift hug. “Has the PI talked to the mother yet?”

Hailey shook her head.

“Then, we have nothing to worry about yet.”

There was so much power in that one word.We. Rosie had used it, and now Glori did.

Other than her mom, she’d never been part of awebefore.

And that was the moment she made her decision. If she adopted the girls, she’d raise them right here in Calamity. With this group of friends who had her back.

And hopefully, with Cole.

Because their family wasn’t complete without him.

Wild Wolff Village sponsored a lot of fun events on New Year’s Eve. Right at sunset, the children paraded down the cobblestone streets, from one end of the town to the ice skating rink in the center. They wore glowsticks in all the colors of the rainbow, so it was a beautiful sight.

Those who didn’t want to watch the kids could sign up for night skiing. Carrying electric torches, they cut a path down the mountain. Yes, it was freezing out, but kiosks sold hot coffee, tea, cider, and cocoa, plus all kinds of warm treats like churros, s’mores, crepes, and soup.

It was such a popular event, the village managed traffic by scheduling shuttles to take people from various stops throughout town.

After the parade and night skiing, everyone gathered to wait for the renowned fireworks display. Hailey and Cole had come early enough to score their own wrought iron bench, so they snuggled up together as the girls played with their lightsabers, waiting for the show to start. He’d been thoughtful enough to bring wool blankets, and boy, did she appreciate it. It wascold.

He picked up her hand and kissed her palm. “You okay? You’re quiet tonight.”

“I just want to hold onto this moment forever.” Everything would change in the New Year. The PI had contacted the woman, and she’d agreed to meet with them. In a few weeks, Cole would go back to Boston. Which terrified her because, really, they’d just begun to get to know each other.

But she had now. And now was perfect. “This is the best holiday I’ve ever had.” The village was all lit up, the rink full of skaters, and the smell of fried dough floated in the air.

“I know.” He pulled her close. “You’re my person, Hailey. No matter what happens, I want to be with you.”

At the exact moment her heart flipped over, the first firecracker lit up the sky, and a shower of brilliant red and green sparks rained down. The girls tipped their heads back, watching in awe as the next one exploded, opening like a bright pink blossom and fanning out across the midnight sky.

Paisley turned to them, eyes wide, smile bright. “Look. It’s so beautiful.”

But Cole was watching her. “The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

The little girl grabbed Evvie’s hand, ran back to the bench, and climbed under the blankets. Once settled on their laps, the four of them snuggled together, their body heat warming each other, as they took in the joyful explosion of color and light.

“Happy New Year, LaLee,” Cole said in her ear.

“Happy New Year, Wild Jack.”

For now, she was the happiest she’d ever been in her life.

On the first day back to school, Hailey got up, ready to make coffee and help get Paisley out the door. She breathed easily, knowing she had Cole to thank for the smooth morning routine.

Of course, she had him to thank for other things, too, like the way he’d loved up her body so well last night it was as loose as a rag doll. With a secret smile for all the wicked things they’d done, she shoved her feet into slippers and threw on her robe.

And then, she opened her bedroom door to find a trail of rose petals leading down the hallway.

Uh, what?