Once they left the exam room, Hadley pressed a happy kiss to Joy’s cheek. “You’re such a wonderful girl!”

Earlier, Thurston had reassured them that Joy’s illness had been effectively cured. With that, a bright future seemed to open up for Joy.

“Mommy.” Nestling close, Joy looked up at Hadley with hopeful eyes. “Can I have a reward? Pretty please?”

While Eric wrapped up his conversation with Thurston, he caught Joy’s request and quickly nodded in agreement. “Absolutely! What sort of reward would you like? Whatever it is, Daddy will make it happen.”

“Uh-huh.” With a small pout, Joy waved him off. “That’s not for you to decide, Daddy. You have to listen to what Mommy says.”

For a second, Eric found himself at a loss for words. Joy really did have a point, though. A sheepish grin appeared as he gave his nose a quick rub and glanced at Hadley. “Alright, Mommy’s the boss. We’ll do whatever she says.”

A laugh nearly escaped Hadley, but she managed to keep it in, turning to Joy with a gentle voice. “So, Joy, what kind of reward are you hoping for?”

“Pastries!” Delight sparkled in Joy’s eyes as she squirmed in Hadley’s arms. “Can we get those pastries again? The ones from before!”

“Pastries? Sounds good to me! Should we go right away?” A warm grin tugged at Hadley’s lips.

“Yes!” Eager as ever, Joy bounced and stretched her arms toward Eric. “Daddy, pick me up! You’re the strongest!”

With obvious enthusiasm, Eric scooped her into his arms. “Of course. Let’s go!”

A gentle shake of the head and a fond smile lingered on Hadley’s face. Joy kept getting heavier, and Hadley’s slender arms could only manage for so long. Lifting Joy into his arms, Eric led the way, while Hadley followed closely at his side.

“Careful!” In one swift move, Eric shifted Joy to one arm and wrapped the other firmly around Hadley’s waist, lifting her clear off the floor.

Close to her ear, he whispered, “Lift your legs!”

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Lately, Srixby had been cold, and the rain hadn’t helped. That morning alone had brought two sudden downpours, leaving puddles scattered across the jagged pavement.

Without thinking, Hadley reacted to his words. She raised her legs and gave a light hop, still balanced in his hold. With one long stride, Eric stepped past the puddle, carrying them both to dry ground.

Once they were safe, he eased his grip and let Hadley’s feet touch down gently. Grinning slightly, he lifted a brow and said, “The way we pulled that off? I’d say it takes most couples ten years to hit that kind of rhythm.”

That made Hadley look up at him, amused. In her mind, a move like that hardly called for ten years of practice.

All at once, it struck her—more than ten years had passed since the Flynn family had taken her in. And she and Eric had known each other for just as long.

A quiet smile played on Hadley’s lips as she let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Her thoughts drifted back to the time when he had looked her straight in the eye and asked if she could consider giving both him and them a second chance.

Hadley hadn’t responded then. Not with words. Lately, though, the way Eric moved around her, the way he looked at her, even the things he didn’t say, all pointed back to the history they shared.

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