the best coach I could’ve asked for. Dad came in and beamed at the nearly seven-pound bundle I held on my chest.
“Will you tell us her name now?” he asked.
Rubbing her tiny head, I glanced up and smiled at him. “It’s Easton Sheridan Bridges.” I’d used Mom’s name as her middle name.
Mom cried.
Chapter Two
English—Six Years Later
“Hey, English, I just uploaded some photos for you to edit. These are from the shoot I did in Alaska and they’re for American Geographic,” Dad said. He’d hired me after I’d gotten my graphic arts degree. It had taken me an extra year, due to the baby. She’d been a full-time job back then.
“Got them,” I said, scrolling through the downloaded files. “Ooh, these are fantastic. How much editing do you want done?”
“Have at it and show me the befores and afters.”
Dad was a freelance photographer who was in high demand. He did jobs for magazines everywhere with his favorite shoots being of nature, animals, and gorgeous scenery. He had a knack for grabbing the perfect shots of anything his camera lens was aimed at. Ever since I was young, I’d loved working on the computer with him as he edited, but had soon become better than he was. That was when I’d known I wanted to be a graphic artist. Working for him was great because it also gave me time to do freelance work whenever I wanted. He paid me well too.
The photos made my job easy. They were pictures of the aurora borealis. I brightened some of them and changed the backgrounds on some of the others. Then I sent them to my dad.
A few minutes later he was standing in my office. “These are perfect. They almost look like they were taken from space.”
“How would you know? You’ve never been in space.”
“You know what I mean. I love them.”
“You don’t think I tweaked them too much, do you?”
“Not at all. When you’re looking at the northern lights, the colors are phenomenal. They’re perfect.”
“Hey, I never asked you. Did Mom freeze out there?” They’d gone to Alaska and Yellowknife, Canada, where they’d camped out to get the best pictures. Then they’d moved on to Iceland and Norway. Lucky for Mom, that part of the trip had been spent in luxury hotels.
“Not really. The tents were large and heated. She actually enjoyed it.”
“I’m impressed.”
Dad chuckled. “So was I. We want to take the rest of the family back out there for another trip. Want to go?”
“I’d love to and I’m sure Easton would too. As long as the tents are comfy.” I was a lot like my mom in that regard.
“How’s the little one doing in school?”
“Pretty good. I’m worried she’s bored.”
“I was the same with you, but Sheridan convinced me you were fine, even though you were smart.”
“I need to get Mom’s advice on a few things.”
Dad glanced away from the computer. “Like what?”
“There’s this kid in Easton’s class and I think he’s a bully.”
“Already, huh?”
“Yeah. Kind of sad, isn’t it?”
“You were bullied and punched the kid, if I remember correctly.”
“I did?”
“You were a tough little thing.”
“How did you make me that way? Easton is so sensitive.”
“I told you never to be a bully, but not to be bullied either. And if you see something that’s wrong, to tell the teacher.”
“Great advice. I’ll tell Easton the same.”
“You want me to talk to her?”
“Would you mind, Dad? It might be a good thing coming from a man.”
“I’d be happy to. I can stop by after work.”
I snapped my fingers. “That reminds me. I need to get a move on here. She gets out of school soon and if I don’t get out of here, I’ll be late.”
“Go. I’ll see you later.”
I grabbed my purse and was out the door. My first stop was to pick up Easton. The wait in line wasn’t bad before they walked her out to the car. She climbed into the back seat and one of the teachers’ assistants buckled her into the booster seat.
“Thanks. We’ll see you in the morning,” I said. Then to Easton, I asked, “How’s Mommy’s favorite girl?”
“Duh, I’m your only girl.” She grinned and I looked at her in the rearview mirror. Oh, my heart. She was so precious. She’d lost one of her front teeth and looked positively adorable.
“True, but you’re my very favorite in the whole wide world.”
“I know, because you love me this much.” Her arms spread wide as she said the words.
“That’s right. I love you that much and