Page 89 of Found in Wild Sage

“Does it?” He chuckles gamely, but there’s something raw-edged hiding there.

“Of course it does. You have been Evie’s family and support. Now she’s part of ours, and you’ve been inducted whether you like it or not. We’re claiming you.” Now Ma winks.

I’m not surprised May’s face is beet-red and she ducks her head with a shake. She’s nearly thirty and a free thinker to be sure, but apparently, our mother winking at the Jack McKean is too much. I’m not sure I can blame her, except I could swear Jack is secretly pleased by Ma’s declaration.

Eirinn finally joins us. Somehow, none of us presses her on what’s going on with her and Davis, but it’s the context. I imagine we’re all envisioning a check-in soon, but it doesn’t need to be in the midst of the celebration.

The meal is delicious, the company’s great, and by the end, I am replete. With food, with hope, with so much love and good feeling, I hardly know what to do with it.

“So, what’ll you two do first now that the battle is behind you?” Ma sets her napkin on her plate and grins over at me and Evie.

I cough to cover my first thought, grateful none of them can read my mind. Because there is no mistaking that my first thought is make love to my wife. I only hope we’re on the same page.

“We’ll go get Charlie, and I had HoneyBun make a little cake.” Evie grins.

“Oh my gosh, can you please let him smash it like he did on his birthday?” Sam claps.

Evie chuckles. “I’m sure he will. He hasn’t had cake in a while—I didn’t let him get his hands on the cake at the wedding.”

“Take pictures! I want to see.” May makes grabby hands.

Everyone chats for another moment before we get up and leave. Jack assures us it’s taken care of, and I guess when you’re a big-name celebrity you don’t even give them a card at the table.

We wander out into the parking lot and Jack gives Evie a hug, then shakes my hand.

“We’d love to have you for dinner sometime in the next few weeks. I’m sure Charlie would love to see you.”

Evie smiles up at me. “We really would. When’s your next job?”

Jack squints. “I think I head to Australia in late October. We’ll find a time before then.”

In a few minutes, everyone disperses. It’s Thursday, so most of us will be back together tomorrow night. Evie and I drive to the house, passing her apartment on the way. It seems like another lifetime she lived there, and I lived for every morning I got to greet Charlie and see her.

I don’t want to hold off any longer. I want to take her at her word and believe that if she says she wants me, then she does. And when we step inside the house, I say exactly that.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Evie

I’m practically floating over the threshold when we get home. The results are what I’ve hoped and prayed for. But I also planned for them.

Statistically, I was most likely to get custody. Circumstantially, too. Except the introduction of Trevor’s mother living with him and his marriage to someone, plus the reviews submitted by his parole officer and several other people of note, made it seem like it wouldn’t be open and shut. I’ll never apologize for the panic I felt when it became even a possibility Trevor could take Charlie from me.

Not only for me, but for Charlie. I can’t imagine how that man would treat a little baby or a child, a teen. I don’t have to fear it now, either.

And I feel nothing but pride and joy when I watch Declan place his keys and wallet into their designated spots on the counter.

When he first mentioned marrying him, it seemed impossible we’d be so comfortable together. We’ve got a long way to go, of course, but I wonder if the reason I couldn’t imagine how this all would end is because it’s not supposed to.

“How are you?” he asks, coming to take the little cake we picked up at the bakery and setting it on the counter.

“I’m good. So good, it almost feels like my mind has emptied. All that relief and joy and the feeling that the right thing happened this time… it’s all given me this pleasant, calm sensation.”

When he slides his arm around my waist and begins to guide me upstairs, the calm tips into anticipation.

“I’m glad. I agree, this is the right thing. You’re a wonderful mother, and Charlie’s life is better for having you be his full-time parent.”

We reach the top of the stairs and move toward the bedroom. His bedroom. Mine.