“It is. Landon is really struggling with trying to figure out how he fits into her life, especially in light of the new wrinkle with her daughter.”
“That’s really quite a challenge for both of them,” Hunter said.
“It is, but I think they’re up to it.”
“I do, too. It’s funny how both he and Lucas could end up taking on kids. They’re a couple of kids themselves.”
“No, they’re not,” Megan said. “Despite how it might seem sometimes, they’re actually fully grown men.”
“They are? Really?”
“They are.”
“Huh, I must’ve missed that memo.”
“Guess what? So is Max.”
Hunter pulled a shocked expression. “Wow. I might need a minute to process this.”
“Face the facts, love. Your baby brothers aren’t babies anymore.”
“I can’t get my head around this development.”
Megan yawned again and snuggled into his embrace, practically asleep on her feet.
“Let’s get my baby mama tucked into bed.”
She was almost asleep when he slid into bed a few minutes after her. “Need my kiss.” Even though her eyes were closed, she felt his smile against her lips. “Love you.”
“Love you, too. Thanks for marrying me and making me the happiest guy in the world.”
She managed a smile with the last of her energy. “You didn't give me much choice.” They had this conversation frequently.
“The choice was all yours, my love.”
“Best thing I ever did was marry you.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” He put his arms around her and settled her head on his chest. “Sleep. I’ve got you.”
The final forty-five minutes were, indeed, the longest minutes of Amanda’s life. “What if she doesn’t like me?”
Landon sat next to her on the sofa, holding her hand and doing his best to keep her calm. “She’ll love you. How can she not?”
“What if she changes her mind?”
“She won’t.”
“What if I can’t do it? I’ve never been anyone’s mother. What if I screw her up?”
“You won’t. After reading her letter to you, it’s obvious she’s already a great kid. You’ll just be taking over what her mother started.”
“When are you going to get sick of me and tell me to get out of your house so you can get your life back?”
“Um, never? I love having you here.”
“I can’t imagine why. All I’ve done is cry all over you and bring massive amounts of drama to your previously peaceful existence.”
“That’s not all you’ve done, and my peaceful existence was boring compared to having you here.”
She laughed. “You’re crazy.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m crazy about you. You’ve got enough going on without worrying about me getting sick of you. That’s not going to happen.”
“It could happen.”
He kissed her, probably to shut her up, and really, who could blame him? “Not going to happen.”
“I’m lucky to have such a good friend at a time when I need one very badly.”
“Everything is going to be fine. I know it. Just keep breathing and take it one minute at a time.”
“I’m still figuring out how to do that. I’m used to having plans for my plans, and nothing is going according to plan.”
“You’re writing a whole new plan, and I’ve got a good feeling about this one.”
At one minute before nine, Landon got up, retrieved the portable phone and handed it to her. “Do you want me to stay?”
“God, yes.”
Smiling, he returned to the sofa and put his arm around her. “Keep breathing.”
“I’m trying.” Her hands trembled as she dialed the number she’d all but memorized and listened to it ring. And when the voice of a young girl answered with a cheerful “Hello,” tears flooded her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
“This is Amanda. Your, um…”
“Biological mother.”
“Yes. It’s me.”
“Thank you so much for responding to our letter and for calling. I wasn’t sure if you would.”
“Your letter touched me so deeply. How’s your mother doing?”
“She’s mostly okay right now, but we know that’s not going to last.”
Stella’s matter-of-fact summary impressed Amanda and broke her heart, too. “I’m so, so sorry for both of you.”
“Thank you. We’re trying to be realistic and make plans. I’m a planner. I always have to know what I’m doing.”
Amanda gasped. “I… So am I. I joke that I have plans for my plans.”
“Then I get that from you.”
“Yes,” Amanda said, closing her eyes in a failed attempt to stop another flood of tears.
“That’s the weird thing about being adopted. I don’t know where any of these things come from. Like my hair color or my eye color or who I look like.”