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Faith peered back at Grace. “When will we see you again?”
Fitz stepped forward and scooped Mary Mae from her arms to put her in the brand-new, rear-facing car seat he had purchased just the other day.
“Probably tomorrow.” Grace passed Faith her purse, which was still hanging on the wheelchair’s IV hook. “I need to get home—to the houseboat,” she amended with a blush, “and check on Simon and his aunt, who’s been watching him.”
Fitz put a knee on the car’s back seat to get the baby settled. “The baby’s too small for this thing.”
Grayson hovered over him. “If there’s an extra blanket, you could put it under her.”
“That’s a thought.” Fitz handed Grayson his car keys. “Here, pop the trunk and get a blanket out of your mom’s bag.”
As her son fetched the blanket, Faith transferred herself from the wheelchair into the front passenger seat. She was putting on her own seat belt when she heard the five-point harness on the car seat click together.
“Worked like a charm, big brother. All right, kids, join your sister in the back.”
As Grayson and Oliva squeezed in on either side of the baby, Grace shut Faith’s door.
She immediately lowered the window. “I want to hear all about your adventure, Grace. Thank you, Orlando,” she called as the orderly withdrew, taking the wheelchair with him.
Grace hitched Mateo higher on her hip. “You will. As soon as I get Mateo comfortable in his new surroundings, I’ll come over and help you out.” Faith couldn’t tell if Grace meant Amos’s houseboat or her own condominium.
“Are you living with Amos?”
Grace’s guilty expression said it all. “I had to rent out my condo for money.”
She didn’t say when she intended to return to it, either, Faith noted, secretly delighted. “Well, I couldn’t be more relieved that you’re home safe and you’ve got your son with you.”
Grace’s eyes shone with happy tears as she glanced at Mateo and then back at her. “You were right, Faith. He was there in the valley.”
Faith nodded. She didn’t need to ask who Grace was talking about. “I’m so glad. We’ll see you soon.”
As Fitz pulled forward, Faith raised a hand in farewell while raising her window, her heart full of contentment.
There would be nothing easy about the weeks and months to come, but God, in His goodness, had surrounded her with family. He had brought a man into her life who clearly had experience with children, who was willing to put up with Grayson’s rudeness and Olivia’s endless chatter. The Lord’s plans to prosper her were so plainly evident. And she wassoimmensely grateful.
* * *
Amos wasn’t home from work yet. Grace checked her disappointment and made her way down the path from the carport to the pier.
“Look, Mateo. Look how pretty.”
Lifting his drooping head from her shoulder, Mateo blinked against the sun’s reflection on the water as he took in the body of water before him. Knowing he had never seen anything like the marsh grass flats or even a houseboat, for that matter, Grace slowed her step as she carried him down the pier toward the gangplank. She could hear the boys inside. Poor Emma was probably at her wit’s end keeping so many boys entertained for days on end.
Someone must have caught sight of them, for the door popped open, and the three cousins spilled out of it, with Simon in the lead. He launched himself across the gangplank and threw his arms around her hips before she could caution him to slow down.
“You’re back! Ow!”
Mateo had accidentally clocked Simon in the eye with his knee.
Christopher and Colton came closer, bunching up behind him. Rubbing his sore eye, Simon stared curiously up at the boy now hiding his face in the crook of Grace’s neck.
“I’m happy to see you, too.” Grace ruffled Simon’s hair. Emma had apparently taken clippers to all three boys. Grace grinned at them. “And I’ve brought Mateo with me. He’s a little bit shy, but he’ll play with you when he’s ready. What’ve you been doing while I was gone?”
Simon’s expression brightened. “Lots of stuff. We played pirates and watchedCarsand what else?” He turned toward Christopher.
“Mama cut our hair and registered us for school.”
“Oh?” As much as Grace appreciated Emma’s recent help, she hoped she wasn’t planning to live on Amos’s boat indefinitely, as there wasn’t much room forallof them.
