the darkness rumbling around inside of her.
Rory was spinning Ruby around in the air while the little girl laughed. Flynn, Ruby’s adoptive father, and Cassie, Flynn’s girlfriend and Rory’s sister, were laughing too.
“Zara, hi!” Cassie came over to give her a hug. “We just heard the news that you’re going to join Rory and Ruby today.”
“Only if it’s okay with you and Flynn?” Zara shot the famous screenwriter a questioning glance.
Before he could reply, Ruby spotted Zara and held out her arms. Last month, when Cassie had brought her by to drop off some candy, they had played the mother of all peekaboo games. Of course Zara was more than happy to cuddle the sweet little girl again. And when Ruby covered her eyes in an obvious bid to play their favorite game, Zara said, “Peekaboo!” Then she gently lifted Ruby’s hands from her eyes, while making a silly face that sent the baby into gales of giggles.
“You have the stamp of approval from the most important person in the room,” Flynn noted.
“She’s such a smarty-pants,” Zara said as she cuddled Ruby closer. “I can’t believe she not only remembers me, but also that this was the game we played last month.”
“See?” Cassie looked triumphant as she turned to Flynn. “I told you Ruby’s a genius.”
Clearly proud of his little girl, he said, “I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’s always saying that.”
Rory leaned over to nuzzle Ruby’s cheek, before looking out to the parking lot. “When does the delivery van arrive with all her things?”
Cassie made a face at her brother. “That would be funny if it weren’t so true. We’ll be right back.”
A handful of minutes later, it seemed half of Rory’s workshop was covered with Ruby’s supplies. Everything from a portable crib to a vibrating seat to a portable mobile play station, not to mention enough diapers and baby food to supply a daycare center.
“If there’s anything else you need, both of us will have our cell phones on,” Flynn said.
“Ruby is going to be fine,” Rory said as he gently stroked her soft curls. While he’d expressed some nerves to Zara this morning, he seemed to know better than to let Ruby’s father see them. “Better than fine—she’s going to have the time of her life with Uncle Rory and Aunt Zara.”
Zara’s stomach flipped at the casual way he’d just linked them together. And how strangely right it seemed.
Flynn looked like he was going to say something more—maybe even change his mind at the last minute about leaving Ruby for the afternoon—when Cassie put her hand on his arm as though to forestall his panic, then moved to give Ruby a kiss and hug.
“Have fun, sweet girl. Love you to forever and back.”
Flynn followed Cassie’s lead, tucking a finger beneath Ruby’s chin as he told her, “Cassie and I will see you tonight. Have fun today with Rory and Zara.” From Ruby’s serious expression, Zara felt that the one-year-old could fully understand what her daddy was saying. He kissed her on each cheek and then the tip of her nose. “Love you.”
She kissed him back on his nose, then said, “Shmoo.”
Zara’s heart squeezed at Ruby’s baby version of love you. Her heart was so innocent, so pure.
What Zara wouldn’t give to feel that way again.
Flynn and Cassie went out to their car and were about to drive away when Flynn suddenly hit the brakes and Cassie threw open the passenger door to run back into the workshop.
“I can’t believe I almost forgot to give you Ellie the Elephant.” She handed Ruby a small stuffed elephant that was pink with purple polka dots. To Zara, Cassie explained, “It’s Ruby’s favorite toy.”
Zara already knew about Ellie the Elephant, of course. Earlier that year, Flynn had transitioned from writing thriller screenplays to writing a children’s story about a brother and sister named Joe and Alice. Having survived a rough past, the siblings met a girl named Cassie and her stuffed elephant, Ellie. Together, they went off to discover fantasy lands. It was both an audience and a critical hit.
Rory shook his head at his sister. “We would have been toast if you’d forgotten the elephant.”
Seeing that Cassie was looking a little panicked about leaving Ruby, Zara said, “But now that we’ve got Ruby’s favorite toy, everything is going to go great today.”
“We’ll drop her off at your cabin at six tonight.” Rory waved his sister out of the workshop. “Bye-bye.”
Ruby mirrored his movements, waving wildly at Cassie. “Bye-bye, Mommy!”
A