9

 

Cole slipped from bed and padded to the kitchen. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting shadows across the room. Outside, a starlit sky beckoned. He filled the coffeemaker and grabbed a mug from the cabinet. There would be no sleeping tonight.

Down the hall, Kimmy snuggled like a burrito, wrapped in her blankets and breathing softly. He’d spent an hour reading to her tonight, stretched out in the bed beside her, until she’d finally drifted off. Her movements—the tilt of her jaw, the way she scratched an itch from her nose, reminded him of Becca. They looked so much alike, it was impossible not to see the connection. Kimmy’s burnished hair, still damp from a bath, fanned out along the pillow like flames. Cole stroked the smooth, freckled cheek and kissed her forehead before heading to his own room to catch some sleep. But sleep hadn’t come. Questions invaded, jumbling his thoughts until he finally gave up.

He filled the mug with muddy brew and strode through the patio door and onto the deck. An Adirondack chair beckoned as a cool breeze whispered through the trees. The sky was brilliant with stars, and he wondered if Becca sat watching the symphony of light.

Becca…the kiss they’d shared jumpstarted his heart. There was no turning back now. Where would it lead?

Cole eased into the chair and drew a sip of coffee. The heat scalded going down and made him think of Becca once more, and the coffee she’d shared with him in her office mere days ago.

Prior to their reunion his world had been normal—whatever that meant—filled with legal cases and storybooks and trips to the park to push Kimmy on a swing. There were romps through the yard with the cat following at their heels, dinners of macaroni and cheese, and coloring books before bedtime. The routine was simple, mindless…comfortable.

But that comfort had exploded in the course of a single sentence—I think you have my daughter.

How easy would it be for Cole to use his connections to sort this out—at least the legal side of it? His emotions were another matter altogether. The very idea losing Becca again shredded his heart. Because I love her. What’s the answer, Lord? What should I do?

They’d have to find a way through this mess…a way to each other and the blessings he felt certain God had waiting. Cole drew a sip of coffee and closed his eyes. His question was answered by the stars…unseen when his eyes were closed but still there, still brilliant. Becca, was like those stars. A document might declare her to be gone from Kimmy’s life, but she remained just the same…in the color of Kimmy’s hair, the shape of her eyes, her blood type…

…in his heart.

When Cole opened his eyes again, the stars shone like precious diamonds nestled in a velvet case. He leaned back and sighed.

I’m listening, Lord. I hear you. Help Becca to hear you, as well. My love for her is true, steady, and enduring.

 

****

 

Rebecca tossed the paperback onto the coffee table and stood to stretch the kinks from her back. There was no use trying to read…tears blurred her vision and the words were nothing more than a muddy pool that made no sense at all.

Like the mess she was in. She reached for the remote, switched off the background noise of the TV. Outside, the wind whispered restlessly through trees, singing to her aching heart. She took the throw from the couch and padded through the front door to the porch.

Cole had kissed her. She pressed a finger to her lips, still tingling from his gentle touch. What did it mean? Where would it lead?

She relaxed against the rail for a moment, drawing a breath of air that carried the scent of drying leaves and wood smoke. The sky was brilliant with stars, the moon a sliver that winked at her.

What’s Kimmy dreaming about? Does she ever wonder…?

Rebecca slipped into the porch glider and wrapped the blanket tight around her shoulders. Setting the bench into motion, she considered her options. Should she consult an attorney? Plead with Cole? Or, maybe she should just take Kimmy and run.

The very thought brought a wave of guilt. She couldn’t, no matter how much her heart ached, ever do that to her child—or Cole. She’d seen Kimmy with Cole and knew the love they shared was unbreakable. She would never want to destroy that bond, and it was ludicrous to consider breaking it.

The way it was ludicrous to imagine that Kimmy had been taken from her in the first place. A single act…insurmountable heartache.

Rebecca splayed a hand across her belly, remembering the first time she’d felt Kimmy inside her. The fluttering kick was evidence of a miracle, and she carried that miracle inside. The same day Steve had presented her with the double-heart locket, a symbol of two lives intertwined.

“You’ll fill it with the baby’s picture—and yours. It’s impossible to separate the two of you now…lives forever joined.”

Were they forever joined, or was it possible to separate something that God himself had brought together?

Rebecca closed her eyes, but tears spilled anyway. What should I do, Lord? Is there any hope at all?

A vibration startled her from the prayer, and Rebecca realized her cell phone was tucked in the pocket of her jeans. She wrestled it from the pocket, swiping tears from her face as she checked the caller ID. She pressed the connect button. “Cole?”

“I’m sorry. It’s late.”

“I’m not sleeping.”

“I can’t either.” He paused. “You’re crying.”

She sniffled. “Just a little.”

“Please don’t, Becca.”

“I can’t help it.” She swiped her eyes again. “It hurts so much, Cole. I’m breaking inside. I need…”

“I’ll be by for you in the morning.”

“What?”

“Is nine o’clock too early?”

“No.”

“I’ll need help with Kimmy’s party. She’s expecting you for her birthday. I want you to be there, too, Bec.”

Her heart raced. Was she dreaming? She tucked the phone against her shoulder and pinched her thigh through denim. No, the sharp pain told her she was wide awake. “Are you sure?”

“It’s Kimmy’s birthday. Do you really think we’d celebrate without you?”

Silence. His words swept through her, leaving a wake of emotion.

“Cole, I…”

“Hang up now, Becca.” His voice softened to a gruff whisper. “Get some sleep, OK?”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Promise me, Bec, that you’ll try.”

“OK. I promise.” She paused to touch her kiss-bruised lips once more. The ache in her heart warmed to a flicker of love. She wished he was there beside her, to kiss once more. “Goodnight, Cole. See you in the morning.”