Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 128083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Then Anton turned on his heel and swaggered away, brushing off his shirt as he walked like he’d been soiled somehow for simply being so close to Posey.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Cami could hardly wrap her mind around the fact that there was a child in her home. Her child. It was so surreal, like she’d blinked, and he’d appeared. One moment she’d been alone with her cat, and the next she had a little boy living with her. As they’d traveled back to Virginia, Cami had vacillated between shock, joy, terror, and giddiness, feeling constantly on the verge of tears or laughter.
But always beside her was Rex, watching her with quiet knowing and giving her strength with looks not of concern, but of confidence. He communicated his belief in her with his steady gaze, and so she took his lead and chose to believe in herself as well.
She wasn’t at all prepared for this, and she was likely going to fumble some things. Many things, perhaps. But she was willing. And she was able. And she’d approach the situation with love and see this for the unexpected gift it was.
She had this deep-rooted conviction that her mother and sister had had a hand in this miracle, and who would she be if she rejected a miracle?
The detective in California had made good on his word and contacted the local police, who’d approved a temporary squad car to watch her home. No arrests had been made in Cyrus’s kidnapping, and even though they were now far away from where the crime had occurred, she had been targeted too—even if the who and the why and the how were unclear—and it made her breathe easier knowing law enforcement was fully briefed on the case and on watch as they slept.
Cami pulled into the driveway of the stately white Georgian on the tree-lined block.
“This is my grandpa’s house?” Cyrus asked.
“Yes,” she said as she unbuckled herself, then got out and opened the back door for Cyrus. Her heart had started beating more swiftly the moment they’d driven into the neighborhood where her father and his second wife lived. She’d called and given him the very basics of the situation. He’d seemed stunned, as she’d expected, but she’d wanted to give him time to come to terms with this unexpected circumstance before bringing Cyrus to meet him. “But maybe we should let him decide what you should call him.”
Cyrus nodded very seriously. “He might have trouble adjusting.”
She let out a breathy laugh and hugged him to her. She couldn’t help it. He surprised her constantly. He was the bravest, coolest, most unique little human she’d ever met. “Yes, he might. But he’s a good man and he’s going to love you.” Please love him, Dad. Please accept him with open arms like I have.
They were walking hand in hand up the flagstone path toward the house when the door opened. Her father stepped outside, his gaze hanging on Cyrus as they approached. He still looked a bit stunned, but he smiled when they stepped up onto the porch.
“Dad, this is Cyrus. Cyrus, this is my father, Randolph, but his friends call him Rand. He’s your grandfather.”
Cyrus looked up at her dad. “I never had a grandfather before.”
Her father bent down so he was at Cyrus’s level. “No? Well, here’s the deal. I always thought Randolph sounded like one of Santa’s reindeer,” he said, to which Cyrus smiled. “I like Rand better, but”—he glanced up at Cami—“this has all come as quite a surprise. I’ve been thinking about what you might want to call me and thought we should mutually agree.”
Cyrus nodded. “What do you think?”
“Well, I’d completely understand if you wanted to go with Rand, seeing as you just met me. Or, if you’re willing, Grandpa is a classic. But I’ve gotta throw Pops into the ring.”
Oh, Dad, I love you. She was tempted to cry, but she didn’t want this second meeting to be filled with tears, because that was how the first one had been.
“I like Pops,” Cyrus said shyly but with obvious pleasure.
Her father grinned and stood. “Thanks for making an old man happy, kid. I can tell we’re gonna get along swimmingly. Speaking of which, do you know how to swim? My wife, Gigi, is out back in the pool. She’s been excited to meet you.”
“Yeah, I can swim, but I don’t have a suit.”
“Oh, we have a few extras in the pool house that will probably fit well enough. Come on in.” He opened the door wider and gave Cami a kiss on the cheek as they passed by him.
Gigi met them in the foyer, pretty in a turquoise cover-up and flip-flops. “Cami.” She smiled warmly as she always did. “It’s so nice to see you.” Cami smiled back, and then Gigi bent down like her father had and shook Cyrus’s hand.