Chapter 10
Introducing Lainey to Ava and Wild went easier than he expected. Ava's two children were old enough to think Lainey was fun but not too old to be annoyed by her. They played games, which allowed Apple to talk to Wild.
“I don’t know what to do. We can’t get a good read on where she is. If she doesn’t come back, I’m going to have to quit being a SEAL.”
Wild nodded. “When my brother died, and I got custody of the girls, I thought my life as a SEAL was over. Everything worked out, but I’ll tell you this, if I had to leave the Navy, it would have all been fine.
Having them in my life has made things better.
I love being a SEAL, but I love my family more.
That little girl changes things for you. ”
Apple nodded. “I wish I’d known. I had no idea. I would have been in her life if I’d known she existed.”
“I knew my nieces from birth, or I knew of them. I can’t imagine how difficult this is, learning you have a child who is four.”
He nodded. “It's tough, but I'm glad I know. I have a chance to have a relationship with her.”
“Good. I think it will be good for you.”
Lainey ran over, showing him a rock the girls had painted. She was impressed and he could see a lot of rock and shell collecting in their future.
“That’s beautiful,” Apple said.
“Can I keep it?”
“How about we put the rock back in their garden? Then you can see it when we come here.”
“Okay.” Lainey skipped over to the girls and placed the rock back where she’d found it.
“She seems like a good kid.”
Apple chuckled. “The first morning, she tricked me into giving her cereal she knew she could only have on Saturday mornings. Dena set me straight on that one.”
Wild laughed and turned so he could face away from the kids. “Lila used to call me a dick right to my face. They are inventive little creatures. I can tell you that much.”
“I'm sure once Linsey finds out Dena won't be caring for her, it might get a little hairy. And if she loses her mother, I can't imagine how bad it will be.”
“We’re doing all we can to find her. I spoke to Thario earlier, and there just isn’t any trail.”
Apple nodded. “It’s not good.”
He had no idea what he would do if he didn't find Amelia. Wild had taken over care of his nieces, and somehow, he'd made it work. He would find a way to make it work with Lainey. She needed stability and love. Too much had gone bad for her. She needed something to go right.