Page 8 of Love Me Like You Do

And now they were both dead.

Her mom brushed the hair off her shoulder. “What’re you feeling right now?”

Good question. She was a mess of emotions. Sorrow, certainly, but also… “Regret. I fell out of touch with her.” Her life had become all about work, about saving money so she could live her dream of being a fashion designer.

She had two jobs, and Lindsay had two kids.

“Isn’t that just life?” her mom asked. “People drift apart. And you two were on such different paths.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Regret nearly suffocated her. “She had two children. I was—am—the godmother—of the first one, but I never took it seriously. I sent presents on her daughter’s birthday, but I wasn’t there for her. I haven’t been there for Lindsay in three years.”And now she’s gone.

“Why’s the law firm writing you?”

“I don’t know. It just says they have a ‘matter they need to discuss with me.’”

“Well, go on and call.”

“I’ll do it when I get home.” Not here, where she was freezing her butt off as traffic piled up, horns honked, and pedestrians raced by.

“There’s a two-hour time difference, though. If you wait any longer, you’ll have to call tomorrow. Are you going to be able to sleep tonight wondering what this is about?”

“No.” Numbly, Hailey started to dial the number on the letterhead, but her mom tapped the paper.

“Look, she says to call her direct line.”

“Right. Thanks. I’m totally freaking out.” Hailey started over.

Her mom wrapped her arms around her, a bulwark against the bitter cold. “Whatever it is, we got this.”

As the line rang, Hailey’s heart fluttered in her throat.

“Ashley Stephenson.” The woman sounded professional and rushed.

“Hello, Ashley? This is Hailey Casselton. I just got a letter from your law firm telling me Lindsay Leeson…” A sting of awareness sped through her. “Passed away.” A gust of icy wind had her lowering her head.

“Yes, and I’m so very sorry to deliver that news to you. But I’m glad you called. We’ve had a hard time getting a hold of you.”

“I’ve moved a lot. Can you explain what’s going on? As you can imagine, this comes as quite a surprise.”

“Yes, of course. As I understand it, Lindsay and Darren had gone to Las Vegas for their anniversary and on the way back, an eighteen-wheeler spun out on black ice and, unfortunately, collided with them.”

Hailey sucked in a breath of frosty air. It punched the back of her throat, the burn so painful it brought tears to her eyes. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe they’re gone. How are the girls?” She tried to think of what family either of them had…but other than Lindsay’s parents, she couldn’t recall anyone. “Where are they right now?”

“They’re with the same neighbors Lindsay and Darren left them with when they went away. Which is actually why I’m reaching out to you. Lindsay and Darren named you a co-guardian.”

Her mom’s arms fell off her shoulders, her hands clapping over her mouth. She looked as shocked as Hailey felt.

“Me?” She was in no way equipped to take care of two little girls. “I don’t understand. I know I’m Paisley’s godmother, but you said guardian, and I’m just trying to understand. Am I supposed to raise Lindsay’s daughters?” She took in the filthy street, the taxis jockeying to outmaneuver each other. “I live in New York City.”

“The parents have requested a sale of the home to provide for the girls, so there’s some money if you need a larger place. And they did have some life insurance.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Her mind raced ahead to school, homework, family meals, and dance classes…a lifestyle she’d only ever seen in movies. “You said co-guardian. So, there’s someone else involved?” Hopefully, someone more, appropriate.

“Yes, but he’s opted not to do it.”

What should have scared her—being solely responsible for two children—somehow made the decision that much more compelling. “If I don’t claim them—” Wait, that didn’t sound right. They weren’t pieces of luggage. “If I don’t step in, then what?”

“They go into the foster care system.”