23

Brenna walked to Bailey.

Barbara stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

“Bailey! I get to stay with you, isn’t it great?” Brenna put both her arms around Bailey’s waist.

My wife’s eyes grew wide as she looked down at the child. “Why, uh, yes, it’s wonderful.”

I thought I heard an unspoken “I think.” Bailey looked like a deer in the headlights. So did everyone else in the room, probably me included.

Well, not everyone. Barbara looked calm and business like.

Everyone stood by this time.

“So this is the little lady,” Toppy said, breaking the awkward silence. “Nice to meet you. I’m Bailey’s,” he stopped, and looked at Bailey.

“He’s my dad. We all call him Toppy.” Bailey pulled Brenna from the hug and turned her toward her mother. “This is my Mom.”

Mom reached out her hand.

Brenna shook it. “What do I call you?” Brenna asked.

“How about Gwen, for now,” Mom answered, smiling.

Brenna nodded.

“Of course, you know Scott,” Bailey said.

Brenna turned toward me. “Yes!”

I scooped her up in my arms. “You hungry?”

“Not really. Unless you have some cookies,” Brenna said.

“Cookies we got, little lady. Let’s go in the kitchen and we’ll find them. Bailey makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world,” Toppy said. He took her from my arms and they went down the hall to the kitchen.

“While we have a minute to talk, I want to lay this out for you. This is happening because your mother offered to be the primary care giver in this situation,” Barbara said, pulling a clipboard from her large purse.

“You already talked to them?” Bailey asked, looking at her mom.

“Yes, sweetie, I was trying to tell you earlier tonight, but,” she said, and bit her bottom lip.

Bailey just grinned. “Thank you, Mom.”

That was my girl, trying to accept help. I hoped it would last. “But how will you do this, Mom? Your job?” I asked.

“I took a leave of absence. I have plenty of vacation time coming. It’s no trouble at all.”

“Your mother has agreed to stay here in your home for a time. We thought it best since Brenna doesn’t yet know the McPhersons, and she wants so badly to be with you, Bailey.”

Barbara, Bailey, and Mom continued the discussion, but it faded from my hearing. An overwhelming sense of gratitude enveloped me. I felt for the first time that everything would be all right. Thank you, Father. Now, Lord, please bring my Bailey back to me. Please heal this awful tragedy from her heart and memory. I know it’s selfish of me, but I want her back. She’s so distant. My ears focused back on the conversation.

“Bailey, she needs to be told that you’re her sister. I recommend giving it a little time. Let her get used to being here. Because when that comes up, the news about her father will follow. She’s already lost her grandmother. I suggest perhaps engaging a counselor to help with that. We have some on staff, if you don’t have your own,” Barbara said.

“I have a good one. Michele Hanover.” Bailey said. Her voice seemed normal, but her eyes seemed far off.

I knew she worried about the whole sister thing.

“All right, then. I’m glad we’ve come to this point. Let me just get her things from my car, and I’ll be on my way.” Barbara stood.

“I’ll get them. Is it locked?” I headed toward the door.

Barbara pulled her keys from her purse and pushed the unlock button. She smiled at me.

I gathered a small suitcase and a box of random things from the back seat and brought them into the house. As I sat them on the floor inside the door, I noticed Barbara’s shoes.

“Oh, your shoes look no worse for the water damage. Was it expensive? You should let me reimburse you.”

“Not at all, just took a brush to them after they dried out. That reminds me,” she said, pulling a card from her purse. “Here’s the number of a laundry service in town. It would be a great gift for your wife, and would make things a lot easier for you both. They’ll pick up and deliver.”

I laughed. Her professional manner dropped a bit, and I saw a helpful, good-natured soul.

“Thanks, Barbara. I’ll call them first thing in the morning.”

“Best of luck to you. I really hope it all works out.” She headed for the door.

“Luck has nothing to do with it, but thank you very much,” I said. “We’re blessed.” Gratitude overcame me, and I closed the door before she could see my tears. I went into the kitchen where everyone was eating cookies.

Gwen had started a pot of coffee, and it smelled wonderful.

“I believe Brenna likes your cookies, Bailey. She’s a beauty, just like her sister.”

Brenna gasped. “I knew it! You are my sister.” She hopped out of her chair and into Bailey’s lap.

Bailey’s eyes filled with tears.

The silence exploded in the room like a sonic boom.

We all just looked at each other.

Toppy went white. “I thought she knew,” he whispered.