Robin Gianna - The Family They've Longed For

“Jake shouldn’t have felt that way. He knows that kind of virulent bacterial infection has to be caught early or it’s over. It’s not his fault that she died,” Rory said dully, knowing that everyone had said nearly the same thing to her, nine years ago.

Not her fault . But it had felt like her fault anyway, and how could she ever know for sure?

Beth nodded. “He knows that—but still... It was hard. He’d brought little Mika into the world and he felt a connection to him, you know? He was allowed to foster the baby until the adoption went through a couple months later. And now he’s a member of the family and my first grandbaby.”

“He’s a lucky boy.”

And Rory meant it. He was. The Hunter family were some of the best people she knew, and he’d be raised in the same awesome way Jake and his brother and sister had been raised. With love and guidance, a strong work ethic and a love for Alaska—especially Eudemonia.

Somehow the news that Jake wasn’t married and wasn’t in love with the baby’s mother had her breathing slightly easier, even as she tried to figure out how to deal with him being a father. Then again, not being in love with Mika’s mother didn’t mean he wasn’t in a serious relationship.

And why was she even wondering about that? It wasn’t as though either one of them wanted to get involved with each other again.

“So,” Beth said quietly. “How are you? Happy in Los Angeles?”

“I’m good. Fine. I love my job.”

What else could she say? That she loved her job and spent all her time doing it so she wouldn’t have to think about anything else?

“Tell me again what kind of doctor you are? Jake never said.”

Of course he hadn’t. Because he didn’t want to think about her and what had happened to make her change her plans and go to LA any more than she did.

“I’m a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I take care of children’s broken bones and congenital bone disorders. You might remember I broke my leg falling out of a tree when I was ten? That whole experience amazed me—when I saw the X-rays and how they put it back together. I knew then I wanted to be a bone surgeon.”

She wouldn’t share the fact that the only reason she’d even thought about becoming a doctor was because of the Hunter family, how Jake and his brother had always known that was what they wanted to be, just like their dad.

“Sounds like you’re making a big difference in people’s lives. You must be proud.”

“Yes, it’s a good job.”

“And LA is light-years from here. I bet that was a big adjustment.”

“Warm and sunny year-round? Yes, very different from here.” She forced a smile. “Then again, there’s nothing like the clear air, open skies and bright stars of Alaska. I admit there are times when I miss it.”

“Well...” Beth hesitated, then seemed to change her mind on whatever she’d been about to say. “We’d love to have you over for dinner some night while you’re here. Before you go back. Your mother is more than welcome, too.”

“I doubt she’ll be feeling up to it.”

Beth probably knew it was Rory who wouldn’t feel up to it, but she let it pass.

“I’ll ask her, though. Thanks. And, Beth...?”

“Yes?”

Rory let herself reach out to stroke the baby’s round cheek, and its sweet softness made tears sting the backs of her eyes. “Congratulations on your grandbaby. He’s just beautiful.”

“Rory—”

The door opened and there was Ellie again, interrupting whatever Beth had been about to say. It was beyond a relief.

“Your mother is all set, Rory.”

“Thanks.”

She stood and reached down to help Beth to her feet as the woman propped the baby on her hip.

“Thanks for telling me about Mika and his mother. That...helps.”

Beth squeezed her hand. “I’m always here if you ever want to talk.”

No, she didn’t want to talk. She wanted to hide in her mother’s house, take care of her, then get out of Eudemonia and bury herself in work again. She wanted to commit to that job in LA, far away from here.

“Thanks, but I’m fine.”

That lie stuck in her throat as she met her mother and Jacob walking down the hallway to the front entrance. He was so handsome, so familiar, so...distant. He’d schooled his expression into one of cool professionalism, obviously as intent on keeping an emotional distance from her as she was.

“Definitely a UTI, so it’s good you brought her in. I have a couple of sample packets of antibiotic here,” he said, handing them to her. “I’ll have Ellie send a prescription to a drugstore in Fairbanks, too, because she’ll need to be on them for at least five days.”

“Thanks. We appreciate you seeing us tonight. Sorry we kept you from... Mika.”

Their eyes met, and the pain she felt deep inside was reflected in his eyes as he reached to take the baby from his mother’s arms.

“Not a problem. He’ll have to get used to having his daddy get home late when there are patients to see. Right, buddy?”

Daddy. Buddy. Her throat tightened all over again, and she knew she needed to get out of there.

Just as she was about to turn to her mother the baby leaned forward, slapped his little hands against Jake’s cheeks, and pressed his nose to his. God, it was like something out of a beautiful family movie, and the sweetly intimate picture nearly made the dam burst.

Somehow she gulped back the tears and grabbed her mother’s arm to hustle her toward the front door. No way was she going to humiliate herself by crying right there in front of all of them. But if she didn’t leave right that second, that was exactly what was going to happen.

She felt like every hour would be a matter of survival.

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