Say Goodbye (Romantic Suspense #25) - Karen Rose Page 0,246

heaven.

“Surreal,” Liza answered. “I mean, I’d wished so long to get there. I’d served my tour and gotten my undergrad degree, all while hoping to be accepted at UC Davis. I was seriously just happy to be there. But then I went to orientation last week and everyone knew my name.”

“You are a hero,” Irina commented with a smile. “Again.”

Liza rolled her eyes, still embarrassed. The news had been saturated with their discovery of Eden and the defeat of DJ Belmont and Pastor. Gideon, Mercy, and Amos had become the poster children of cult survivors, and Hayley and her baby had been showered with Internet affection and real-life gifts.

Baby Liza Tiffany was the most pampered infant in the city. And grown-up Liza still got a lump in her throat every time she thought of Hayley naming the baby after her.

“I did what anyone would,” Liza murmured. It was her stock answer and she held to that belief with both hands.

“Anyone with a good heart and a healthy amount of courage,” Irina said.

“I had good role models.”

“Here one of them comes,” Irina commented as Dana Dupinsky Buchanan approached, a tray of cold drinks in her hands.

“Absolutely.” Liza squeezed Irina’s hand. “And another one is sitting right here.”

“Ach.” Irina fanned her face with her free hand. “You make me cry.”

“Liza.” Dana took the chair on her other side, passing them the drinks. “Why are you making this nice lady cry?”

Liza began to defend herself until she saw that Dana was teasing. “You’re terrible.”

“So I’ve been told. Regularly.” She reached across Liza to tap her glass to Irina’s. “To all the terrible people who love you.”

“Hear, hear.” Irina sighed happily. “Everyone is having a good time, yes?”

Liza smiled, completely content. “A very good time. I think Tom’s sister has adopted Abigail.” Nine-year-old Grace had taken the younger girl under her wing, and Abigail had followed her all afternoon like an imprinted duckling. They’d tasked themselves with making sure the “little kids” were staying out of trouble. “And Karl is on a cloud talking basketball with two ex-pros.” Tom and his stepfather Max had indulged Karl’s excitement, telling him stories about players they’d known. “He is too cute.”

“He is,” Irina said fondly, watching her husband talk animatedly while flipping burgers on the grill. “I think I’ll keep him.”

“And that kid from Eden—Graham?” Dana chuckled. “He’s been following Ethan around ever since he learned that Tom was a hacker and Ethan taught him everything he knows.”

“Hopefully Graham will keep using his brain for good and not evil,” Liza said wryly. “He’d gotten in with a bad crowd before their mother took them to Eden.”

“But he’s in a better home environment now?” Dana asked, concerned. She was always concerned about kids in abusive homes.

Liza nodded. “His mother lost custody of Graham, and Hayley’s nearly eighteen. The two of them moved in with Cameron Cook’s family, and it seems to be good for all of them.”

“And I got to hold that precious baby,” Irina said, then grinned. “And when she needed a diaper change, I got to give her back.”

“That’s the best part of grandparenting, right?” Dana eyed Liza. “Or aunting? I mean, I am an amazing aunt.”

“Not for a while,” Liza said. “Tom and I talked about it. No kids until I’m done with nursing school.”

“Time will fly,” Irina said wisely. “Which reminds me, I have a cake in the oven and it’s almost done.” She started to rise, then changed her mind. “I meant to ask. How is Brooklyn? The little girl Liza met at Sunnyside Oaks,” Irina explained to Dana.

“Keepin’ on.” Liza had so much respect for this tiny little girl, whose mother had rushed home as soon as she heard the news, transferring her to UC Davis’s pediatric cancer ward as Sunnyside had been shut down while under criminal investigation. All of its patients had been transferred to hospitals all over the area. “Her mother is spending more time with her now because she’s finished shooting her film. She’s an actress, a single mother who had no one to help her with Brooklyn. She didn’t want her daughter harassed by photographers, so she put her in Sunnyside based on the recommendation of a friend. Tom, Abigail, and I visited her at the hospital this morning.” Abigail and Brooklyn had become fast friends. “She’s got another round of chemo, but the doctors are hopeful it’ll be her last. She said thank you for the cookies, Irina.”

Irina smiled. “The least I can do. I missed