Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Lexi
“She’s happy,” Rose says from my kitchen island as she looks into the living room. Camryn sits at my coffee table, watching cartoons and eating grapes and cheese from a plate in front of her. She’s still wearing her pajamas, but it’s Sunday and we have nowhere to be until later.
“She seems to be,” I say, feeling my chest tighten with the idea of her hiding her true feelings.
“Stop second-guessing yourself, Lexi.” I look up to find Rose watching me.
She and I have worked together for years on other cases. We’ve shared our struggles and helped one another with difficult decisions. She was assigned to Camryn’s case when I bowed out and I’m thankful to be sharing this adventure with her.
“You always do that, but this time, I won’t let you.
” Reaching out she places her hand on mine and offers it a squeeze.
“I have never met anyone that is made for this job more than you. Each case, each hardship, you feel it, you live it. That can be tough on any of us, but you Lexi, you don’t just watch over them, you live every day with them.
What you are doing for Camryn, it’s such an amazing choice.
Sweetheart, you’ve taken a little girl that has lost everything that has ever made her feel safe and you’ve given her back a sense of home.
You didn’t have to do that. There was nothing forcing you to rescue her, but instantly you bonded with Camryn in a way you’ve never bonded with anyone before. ”
I nod, feeling her pain and my own all over again as my vision blurs from unshed tears.
“This isn’t just for her, this is for you. I think in the end, the two of you are going to be one hell of an unbreakable team.”
“I hope so.” I glance in her direction again when I hear her laughter echo.
“How are things going with Bennett?” Rose asks and I smile. This is the friendship part. This is the girl that found me crying more than once in my office over the feelings I wish I didn’t have for a man I couldn’t have.
“That good?” she says with a laugh.
“I don’t want to jinx it.” I’ve been waiting for the ball to drop. “Sometimes I feel like things are going a little too good, for something bad not to be on the horizon,” I offer with a shrug.
“Why do you feel like you don’t deserve the good that comes to you?”
“Because no one deserves anything, I mean we all have to pave our own path. But I guess I’m one of those glass half empty people and I wish I wasn’t.”
“I think what you need to do is stop waiting for something to implode. I think you need to live the life you’ve been given. I think you need to let that man love you as often as possible.” I catch the tail end of her waggling her brows.
“Seriously if I had a man like Bennett I’d be loving him at least three times daily.”
“Right now I want to make sure Camryn has all she needs,” I say with a change of subject. “The last thing I want is for her to feel like she’s in the way.”
“Nope,” Rose says, standing up and grabbing her bag off the chair next to her.
I wrinkle my forehead in confusion when she gives this long drug out pause.
“You do not get to use Camryn as an excuse to hold back. From what I can see Bennett adores Camryn. I’ve heard all about her best friend Bennett, and all the fun things they do.
This girl deserves to be happy just like you do.
If you ask my opinion, I think Bennett is going to play a key role in that part for both of you. ”
She walks away leaving me staring after her. She says a quick goodbye to Camryn, offering me a little wave before leaving.
After cleaning up the kitchen I join Camryn in the living room and together we spend the next hour laughing at cartoons before we get up and get ourselves ready for the rest of our day.
“She’s so polite,” Sutton whispers as she rounds the counter and looks out the back door. Before I can ask, Camryn comes walking in carrying a cup and a plate. Trailing behind Sutton she places them in the sink and turns around, looking up at her.
“Is there anything else?”
Sutton smiles at her and taps her finger on the tip of her nose.
“Why don’t you go out and play on the swings with Jayden? He’s been waiting for you.”
Camryn nods her head, looks over at me, and offers a smile. Exiting the back door I watch her descend the stairs and then run out into the yard. Feeling overwhelmed with joy to see her so happy.
Walking over to the door I lean against the frame and watch them play.
Seeing her so carefree triggers a warm feeling to settle in my chest. “She’s doing so good,” Sutton says from my side and I nod, unable to look away.
“I told Rose that I want to adopt her.” I take a deep breath. “I know it’s not ideal and that she’d be better with a husband and wife, maybe another kid to play with.”
“She has you and she has Bennett, and she has all of us. She has a new best friend in Jayden and who knows maybe one day you and Bennett will give her a little brother or sister to play with.”
I glance over at my best friend and roll my eyes.
“It’s not that far-fetched of an idea, Lexi. She’s so happy and she has all she needs, it’s obvious that you love her. Bennett is building a—” she stops and turns, walking away. I stare after my best friend and when she refuses to look at me I know she’s said something she wishes she can take back.
“Bennett what?”
Again she ignores me.
“Sutton.” I join her, standing at her side cornering her in. “Bennett what?”
“I wasn’t supposed to know, so I can’t say anything.”
“Well, it’s a little too late for that now, isn’t it.”
Hanging her head she closes her eyes.
“Brantley told me in confidence.” She sighs. “If you know then he will know that I told you. So I can’t tell you.” Her words come out in a rush. “And then he’ll think I can’t hold back anything he tells me and he’ll stop telling me things.”
I laugh at her and she looks at me all wide-eyed.
“So will you please just ask Bennett to see the house? That will solve all my current problems.”
“He’s doing something in the house for Camryn, isn’t he?”
She only nods.
“Can you watch Camryn for me?”
Again she nods and I step back and turn around toward the back door. Walking outside I seek out Bennett and head in his direction.