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As everyone lingered over dessert and coffee, Adam cleared his throat and said, âActually, Monica and I had some news to share with everyone tonight. Thatâs why we wanted to have this gathering.â
Opal jumped up from the table, clutching her hands to her chest. âI knew it! I knew it! Youâre pregnant, arenât ya, sugar?â she said, directing her happy gaze toward me.
I broke out laughing and shook my head as I caught the raised eyebrows on Graceâs face.
âAh, no. That is definitely not the news,â I told four staring faces that were waiting for my verification. âI can absolutely confirm that I am not pregnant.â
Like a deflated balloon, Opal sank back into her chair. âOh. Then what is the news?â
Adam shot me a smile. âNo, Monicaâs not pregnant. However, we will be expecting a child in the house. My daughter Clarissa Jo will be coming to live with us this week.â
Silence filled the deck as everyone waited for an explanation.
Adam went on to explain about the car accident, Carrie Sue losing custody, the call from social services, and his trip to Georgia the next day.
Dora was the first to break the silence. âThat poor little girl. Ending up in foster care. Thank goodness she has a wonderful father like you who loves her. And you, Monica, thatâs very loving of you to take in a child you donât know that well.â
Opal jumped up again, running around the table to kiss Adam. âMy granddaughter? My granddaughterâs cominâ here to live on the island? Lord above, I may never return to Naomiâs house. A week every other Christmas and a month during the summer was never enough time for me to enjoy Clarissa Jo. Oh, Adam, this is wonderful news.â
I was rather surprised at Opalâs reaction. In many ways she reminded me of Sybile. Heck, that woman didnât even want me calling her Grandma âso I came up with the pet name of Billie . But Opal seemed happy at the prospect of having her granddaughter around full-time.
Saren was his usual sweet self. âWell, doesnât that just beat all. So now weâll have another female member in the family. Iâm looking forward to meetinâ her.â
âSo does this mean youâve changed your mind on purchasing the yarn shop?â Aunt Dora questioned.
Adam spoke up. âNo, Monica will still be the new owner. Well, unless she doesnât want that. Weâll hire a babysitter for any evenings we want to go out. I know this isnât what weâd planned when we got married six months ago.â He shot me a look of understanding. âBut Monica has been wonderful about it. Itâs not going to be easy for any of us and will be quite an adjustment, but I think weâll manage.â
âOf course youâll manage,â Dora said. âAnd please, count on me for any babysitting chores. My grandchildren are all grown now and I adore being around young people.â
âAnd you know I want to get to know my granddaughter even better,â Opal told us. âShe can come to the cottage and spend a few nights with me whenever sheâd like.â
I caught the smile on Graceâs face as she winked at me and I knew she was thinking, âSee, I told you it would be fine.â
For some reason I felt teary. I should have knownâI should have known that on this island, nobody goes it alone. No matter what the problem is, people pitch in to help. No, it wasnât going to be easyâbut it was comforting to know I wasnât going to be alone.
4
A fter Adam left for Georgia on Sunday, I began doing laundry and getting the house ready for Clarissaâs arrival. I hadnât gotten to her room the day before, so I decided to tackle that first.
When I walked in, I let out a loud gasp. There on the bed, folded up neatly, was my blue sweater. I felt a shiver go through me as I stood rooted to the