Page 64 of Three Girls Gone

“Fine, there are some things. Only for her own good.”

“Like Mr. Hot Doctor?”

“Shh.” Amanda feared Becky said that a little too loudly.

“Sorry. I’m just worried about you. You have so much love to give, and you deserve it too.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Becky pushed off the counter she’d been leaning against. “Now tell me what I can do to help.”

“Ah, not so quick. You’re here doling out relationship advice, but when are you and Brandon going to make things more official?” Becky had been dating Brandon Fisher, an FBI agent with the Behavioral Analysis Unit, for several years. Their relationship hadn’t progressed past a commitment to keep things exclusive.

“Dear God. No.”

“No, what?”

“We were talking about you.”

“Wewere. Now it’s your turn.”

Becky drained an unhealthy amount from her wineglass. “Brandon was married before. You know that. Well, he’s in no rush to do it again, and I’m fine with the way things are. So…” She shrugged and lifted her glass but lowered it again without taking a sip.

“Uh-huh. Well, I worry about you. You have so much love to give, and you deserve it too.”

“Oh, shut up.” Becky roared with laughter and flicked some flour at Amanda.

“Food fight!” Zoe ran into the room, and Amanda had little time to wonder how much she’d overheard. She was hit in theface with a small chunk of dough, thrown from her own daughter’s hand.

“Why you little…” Amanda snatched some dough and made like she was going to hurl it at Zoe.

The girl squealed, running around the kitchen island with her arms waving in the air. She knocked over the bag of flour, and it spilled onto the floor.

“I’m going to get you,” Zoe threatened Amanda as she bent over to grab a handful of flour.

“Oh, no, you’re—” Amanda received a tongue full of flour and spat trying to get it out of her mouth.

Becky doubled over in laughter.

“I got you!” Zoe did a victory dance, and Amanda used her distraction to her advantage.

She grabbed some flour. “Hey, Zoe,” she called for her attention. The girl no sooner turned to look at her than Amanda threw flour at her face.

“Mom!” Zoe yelled, and all fell silent after the word left her mouth.

Becky stopped laughing. So did Amanda. Time stood still. Swelled. Just like her heart.

Amanda went to Zoe and got on her knees, holding her arms. “I would love for you to call meMom, but only if you’re comfortable with that.” She wanted to give her daughter a way to back out, undo what she’d said. She could appreciate the deep bond a girl had with her mother. Zoe’s birth mother was gone, and Amanda never wanted to be seen by the girl as trying to take her place.

Zoe wiped some flour off her face and away from her eyes and nodded.

Amanda hugged her and didn’t want to let go. Ever.

TWENTY-SIX

Amanda woke up the next morning with joy in her heart. She felt more alive than she had in years.Mom.She replayed Zoe’s little voice saying that a thousand times. Something about it made her and Zoe even more official. Though their instant connection and natural chemistry said they belonged together from their first meeting. While Amanda always thought Zoe had saved her, she could see now that she had repaid the favor. She’d given Zoe shelter from the storm, provided her a sanctuary to heal and grow.

For the first few hours lying in bed last night, she questioned whether she’d dreamed it, but the recollections were clear. Zoe had called herMom. And not just once, but twice. The second time came after Becky had gone home, and Amanda had helped Zoe with her bath and tucked her into bed. She turned out the light in her room, and Zoe had said, “Night, Mom.”