Landon spoke into the phone. “Stella says she’d love to meet you all, and she’d especially like to meet Simone.” He paused to listen to his mother. “Okay, we’ll see you soon.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to
come back and reasons to stay.”
—Dalai Lama
After Landon carried the boxes in from the truck, Amanda helped Stella unpack her things and put everything away.
“This room is so great,” Stella said. “I can’t believe Landon did this just for me.”
“He loves you.”
“He barely knows me.”
“And he loves you. We both do. If there’s anything we can do to make this easier on you, I hope you’ll ask us.”
“You know… When we first found out how sick my mom was, I felt selfish because my very first thought wasn’t for her. It was for me. I was so scared of what would happen to me after she died since my dad was already gone.”
“That’s not selfish, honey. Of course you were worried about that—and her, too.”
“I loved her so much. I loved them both.”
“I know you did, and they loved you, too. Your parents would tell you that it’s okay for you to love us as well. That it won’t take away from what you felt for them.”
“My mom did tell me that. She said you and Landon would be good parents to me and that it was okay to be happy with you guys.”
“That’s a lovely gift for her to give you.”
“I might be saying thank you to you and Landon for a while.”
“You don’t have to thank us. I’m so happy to have you with me. You have no idea.”
“Was it hard for you to give me up when I was born?”
Amanda made an effort to keep her emotions in check. They’d talked about a lot of things in recent weeks, but that hadn’t been one of them. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. My heart was broken over it for twelve long years. I never could’ve given you what your parents did when you were born. Even though I knew it was the right thing for you, not one day went by that I didn’t think of you, or wish I could see you and know you.”
“It helps to know that.”
“It’s the truth. Remember when I told you about the fire at the inn?”
Stella nodded. “So scary.”
“It was, and afterward, I was more emotional than I’d been in years. I realized that I’d boxed up all my emotions after I gave you up, and it was like they were all trying to get out at the same time. Poor Landon. I cried all over him for weeks, and he was so good about it.”
“He’s really nice. To do all this for us…”
“I know. Wait until you meet the rest of them. Did I mention he has an identical twin brother?”
“No way!”
“Yep, and when I say identical, I mean identical.”
“I can’t wait.”
After the last few dreadful weeks, the Abbotts were just what Amanda needed. They came in with food and laughter and so much love for her and Stella.
Molly put her arms around Stella and told her to call her Grammy.
Stella’s eyes had bugged predictably when she met Lucas, who’d laughed at the reaction he and Landon had gotten their entire lives.
They got to meet baby Chase, and Stella had adored meeting Savannah, Caden and Callie, too.
Simone had welcomed Stella to Butler and promised to introduce her to all her friends so Stella would know lots of people before they started school again in the fall.
When Dude and Skeeter came by to welcome Amanda and Stella home, Dude brought another surprise Landon had arranged in advance—a yellow Lab puppy that Dude handed to Stella.
“She’s mine?” Stella asked, her eyes big with wonder.
“All yours,” Dude said, “but only if you’re willing to be responsible for taking care of her.”
Stella hugged the puppy to her chest. “I am! I’ll take such good care of her.”
“I heard you were a very responsible young lady who would provide a good home for her.”
“I already love her so much. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” To Landon and Amanda, Dude said, “I brought a crate and all the stuff you’ll need to get started.”
Amanda startled the older woman by hugging her. “Thank you so much, Dude. I can’t tell you what this means to us.”
Dude patted Amanda’s back awkwardly. “I’m happy to see her go to a loving home.”