I sighed in relief.
“So, what’s the plan with her?” Mia asked while staring at me in pity. I’m sure I looked terrible. Puke ran down my dress, and my hair was in knots.
“I’m not sure. A woman and her three husbands stopped by yesterday,” I began while thinking back to our meeting. The woman was sweet, and her husbands absolutely adored her. I wanted to pick her mind and see how the dynamic of their relationship worked, but they were there for Hope. “Hope cried the entire time, so they didn’t bond.” I desperately wanted Hope to be loved .
“Well, I stopped by because I know a couple that would be absolutely perfect for Hope, and I’m not just saying that because it’s my cousin and his husband.” She smiled while gauging my expression to see my reaction. “Of course, if you were planning on adopting her as your own, you can forget I said anything,” she quickly added.
I looked down at Hope and wondered what our lives would be like if I kept her with me. I knew that my new family would support us, but the idea of being a single mom in this crazy world was nerve-wracking. Besides, I felt too broken . I didn’t know if I was what Hope needed. I was still grieving my own upbringing, how could I focus on hers?
“I don’t think I’m what’s best for Hope right now,” I whispered, feeling selfish and self-centered. “I want to be in her life, but I think she deserves better.”
Hope had given up on the bottle and was starting to sleep. She gripped one of my long curls and yanked it; it was one of her favorite soothing mechanisms for drifting off into a peaceful nap.
“I think you’re right.” Mia shrugged. I appreciated her brash nature. “I know that you’re the type to feel obligated to care for her. I also think you’d give her a good life, but there are people out there that would love her just as much, minus the guilt and resentment. She needs a family, not a hero.” Mia plopped one of her dainty hands on my shoulders. Her words stung a little, but she was right. I wanted to love Hope’s place in my life, not resent her.
“Tell me about your cousin,” I said.
“Why don’t you come with me to the Scavenger village and meet him? See how he, his husband, and Hope get along first before bringing it up. I don’t want to get his hopes up if you decide that she should go elsewhere.”
“Okay, I’ll meet them,” I replied just as Hope spit up on me. I sighed.
We packed up Hope’s belongings, and I messaged all the guys on my tablet, telling them where Mia and I were going. Huxley immediately replied .
I’ll go with you.
I was shocked that he replied, let alone offered to accompany me.
I changed Hope’s clothes and cleaned up the last of the Clinic before Huxley arrived with Jacob. They both greeted Mia with short hugs before peering at me.
“You ready?” Jacob asked. I think he sensed my conflicted feelings the most.
“Let’s do this.”
To save us the walk, Huxley borrowed the community transport, and we were at the Scavenger village within a half hour. I was amazed by how quickly they had set up camp on the outskirts of Dormas and was happy to once again see their orange tents and playful children.
With sure steps, Mia led us to one of the tents. Hope wriggled in my arms with such force that on two occasions she almost fled from my arms.
“You got her?” Jacob asked with a smile.
“At least she’s not crying,” I replied with a shrug.
Mia whistled at a tent’s entrance, and after a brief pause, the door flap opened, revealing a very muscular man that looked to be even taller than Hux. He had blue tattoos in tribal designs all down his arms and a blue stripe in his shoulder-length white hair.
“Bowden! Mia’s here!” he yelled while hunching over to open the flap of the tent wider and exiting the tent. He was definitely taller than Huxley. “And she’s brought some guests!”
Soon, a slightly shorter but still impressive man also emerged from the tent. He had short white hair and piercing blue eyes. The designs on his arm were also blue.
“Mia!” the shorter man, who I assumed was Bowden, exclaimed. “What do we owe the pleasure? And you brought a baby!” he practically squealed. His deep voice went up an