1. Wyla

Chapter 1

Five years later (April)

"Stevie, sweetie, it's time to get up." I nudge my unconscious child gently in her bed. The girl sleeps like the dead and rises like them too. Grumpy and mad at the world. "Stevie, if you get up now, we'll have time to go get something from Winnie's store."

"Can I get a banana chocolate chip muffin?" she mumbles in her sleepy voice. Her blonde curls knotted in a mess that will most definitely lead to a full-on meltdown when I try to brush them out. Her bright blue eyes slowly start to blink open in search of her favorite blanket.

"Yes, you can, but we have to hurry. Come on, let's go potty and put on our clothes." I start to pull off her pajamas.

"Okay, Mommy." She yawns, and with her blankie in hand she rolls out of her bed .

Mommy . Yup, that's me. It feels like yesterday I was laying my head over the toilet throwing my guts up and finally deciding I might have to take a test.

That bitch of a double pink line popped up immediately.

Now, being a mom has always been something I wanted in my life. However, I'm not entirely sure this was how I wanted it to go. You know that other part you need to have a baby? Yeah… well, I met mine roughly five years ago in a bar in Tennessee with the rule of one night only.

I really should have thought it through more. Between my sisters and I, I'm the one who is always careful, always prepared, and never forgetful… except for that night. I wasn't on any effective birth control at the time because I was switching brands, and while we used condoms for the first few rounds, we said "fuck it" on the last one.

Now you may be wondering, how did my one-nighter take it? Well, that's the best part. All I know is my baby's father's name is Jett. That's it. No last name. No phone number. No personal information to even begin to find him, other than the fact we met in Nashville.

I did go back to Nashville one weekend a couple months before I had Stevie with the sole purpose of finding Jett, but I came back to my small town in South Carolina with nothing but swollen ankles .

After getting Stevie ready, I load her into her car seat in record time. I would love to go back in time and tell the old me to enjoy the simple things, such as simply grabbing your bag and jumping in the car. Getting Stevie to walk to the car with no meltdowns and no distractions is an act of God.

Don't get me wrong, I love my life. Being a single mom who's practically made motherhood her personality is just not how I pictured it. And yeah, it would be a lie to say I didn't dream about Jett coming in on a white horse to be father of the year, but that's really all it will ever be. A dream.

Now granted, I also have a huge fear of finding Jett. It's been me and my girl for four years now. The thought that someone could take her from me scares the hell out of me. Even with it being nearly five years later, I still can't help but think about what would have happened if I had stayed that morning.

I pull into Crossroads and Stevie cheers. "Woohoo, muffin time!"

I chuckle to myself and unload her from the car. "Remember, we're in a parking lot, so what do we do?"

"Hold hands."

"That's right." I take her small hand in mine. "Now, let's get you that muffin. "

We walk inside, and once Stevie sees Winry, it's game over. "Winnie!" Stevie lets go of my hand and races, arms wide, to my sister.

"Oh, my Evie Girl is here." Winry bends down and nearly falls backward when Stevie crashes into her.

"Stevie, easy, baby."

"Oh, it's okay, Evie. I love your hugs." Winry squeezes and picks her up. "What can I get you today?"

"Banana chocolate chip muffin, please."

"Yeah, that's my girl. Coming right up. What about you, Wyla? Your usual?"

"Yes, please." I reach for Stevie to set her back down, so Winry can get our stuff. "How are you feeling?"

"Um, alright, I'm still sick as a dog. I thought this time around would be easier, or that the second trimester would be at least… but noooo, this little girl wants to be difficult." Winry sighs as she leans over to grab the muffins out of the glass container. "Even still, I'm so excited. I can't wait to have the little one here."

"I know, Win, we're so happy for you and Graham." While everything went well with her first baby Georgia, Winry suffered a miscarriage this past September. I couldn't even begin to understand the pain she feels around that loss, but other than sickness, this pregnancy seems to be going well .

"Thank you." Winry takes a deep breath. I can tell she is battling different emotions right now. "I'm good, sorry… Here we are. One banana chocolate chip muffin, an iced white mocha latte with strawberry cold foam, and a strawberry muffin."

I take our things and glance at the clock hanging on the wall. "Thanks, Win. Stevie, blow Winnie a kiss. We've got to get you to Mamaw's, so Mommy can get to work."

Stevie places her tiny little hand over her mouth then swings it wide. "Mwah, I love you, Winnie."

"I love you too, Evie Girl." Winry blows a kiss back. "I've got to go help Ivy finish up those cupcakes for your party tomorrow."

Stevie bounces up and down and squeals. "Chocolate ones, Winnie. Make them chocolate!"

Winry gives her a small salute. "You got it, Evie."

After dropping Stevie off with my mom, I head into work at the animal hospital in town. Getting my Veterinary Technician license with a newborn was quite the experience, but I did it and have been working at Aster Creek Animal Hospital ever since.

It's not a huge facility but we do it all from well visits to boarding to emergency surgeries. Walking in the back entrance, I put my bag and my coat in my cubby then clock in on the computer in our pharmacy area.

"Good morning, Wyla," Matt, another vet tech, greets me.

"Good morning." I give him a smile. Matt's kind of cute. He works the whole preppy blonde vibe without it giving too much frat boy.

"We've got a full day ahead of us, you ready? One of your favorites is coming in today," he says in a way that I know it's actually one of my least favorites coming in.

"Oh no, who is it?" I click on the schedule and search our appointments for the day. "Ahh, no, not Lex," I groan as I see my least favorite dog coming for a wellness check as the first appointment for the day.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love all animals, obviously, but this dog is a little demon incarnate and his owners aren't much better. The little shit bites someone every appointment, like draws blood kind of bite, and the owners blame us because we "scare him," but yet, they come back here every time.

"Well, it's me and you on the appointment rotation this morning, so I'll help you." Matt starts to prep everything for the visit.

"Okay, but heads up, you're holding his head. I got bit last time. It's your turn," I say and dig out the muzzle that will literally do nothing for that little shit .

He takes the muzzle from me and smiles. "I think I can handle it."

We all work well together here, but Matt and I usually make a good team. We've got our routines and know what works best in different situations. He's definitely the co-worker I'm closest to, and if I entertained the thought of dating, Matt seems like a safe option—but the key word here being if .

My sisters have been pushing me to start dating again. They say I'm secretly holding out for the idea we will somehow magically find Jett, but I'm not. Okay, so maybe I was at first, but now I've let that silly little dream die. I don't have the time or energy to start dating. My one and only focus is Stevie and taking care of her.

After eight appointments of not getting bit by any animals—or any owners—I chalk today up as a good day and head for the back door after clocking out. I wave in the window of the doctor's office as I pass by, and both doctors wave back. Most of the other techs have left already since we've technically been closed for half an hour .

Mornings are especially hard with children as it is, but I couldn't imagine how bad it would be if I had to get Stevie up any earlier than I already do. Our hospital opens at 7:30 a.m. officially, but typically, techs get here by seven to get all of our kenneled and hospitalized pets taken care of before the morning starts in full swing.

I tried to make those early mornings work, but it was hard. Dr. Danes took pity on me when she noticed me drinking at least four cups of coffee a day. We worked out a deal where I come in at 8:30 a.m. and instead of an hour lunch, I take a half-hour and then stay at least thirty minutes late helping close up the clinic.

On busier days, some techs will stay and help. Like today for instance, we have a full kennel board, so Matt graciously offered to stay and help me.

I catch Matt locking up the side door on my way out. "Hey, thank you for helping finish up tonight. I really appreciate it."

"No worries, it's my kennel shift this weekend anyway so it's good to see who I'll be dealing with. Looks like hyper Harper is here. I'll have to remember to grab a tennis ball when I come back in the morning to throw around to tire her out some."

I chuckle. "Just like a labradoodle to be full of energy. "

"And the main reason I'll never have one. Me and my calm Saint Bernard are good."

"Hmm, better steer clear of kids too, then. Stevie and Harper would be fast friends."

Matt opens the back door. "A kid like Stevie, I can handle. That girl is precious."

I smile at him. My daughter is pretty precious.

"So, I know Stevie's party is tomorrow, but do you have any plans tonight?" Matt asks sheepishly as he runs a hand through his short hair.

Panic claws at my chest. Is he asking for a date, or is he just asking in general? Do I want him to ask for a date? I don't know, but fortunately, my sisters are my saving grace as usual.

"Yeah, I've got a girls' dinner at Bluebirds tonight. I'm going to pick up Stevie, then heading straight there." I check my watch. "And I'm already late. Sorry, I've got to go. See you tomorrow at the party?"

Matt seems to deflate a little but nods. "Yeah, see you tomorrow. Have a good night."

"You too," I tell him, then climb in my car.

After picking up Stevie, we pull into Bluebirds only five minutes late. Stevie practically bounces through the restaurant looking for her aunts, but all bets are off when she sees who else is joining us .

"Anna!" Stevie squeals and races to the back table.

"Hey there, Evie Girl. How's my favorite little artist?" Anna pulls Stevie into her lap, hugging her tight. Anna is one of Waverley's best friends who is also the art teacher at the school. And considering Stevie is obsessed with all things arts and crafts, they became quick friends.

"Good, I got a new box of crayons today. It was supposed to be for my birthday tomorrow, but Mamaw let me have it early because I was being so good," Stevie says, smiling ear to ear.

"Of course you were. You're an angel." Anna squeezes her again then plops her in the chair next to her. "I saved this seat just for you."

I smile at my girl as she beams at Anna. Stevie may not have a dad per se, but she has so many people who love her, and that's all I can really ask for.

"Hey guys, sorry we're a little late," I say, and take the seat at the end of the table.

Stevie is to my right, next to Anna, then my other sister Waverley and her daughter Annabelle at the other end. Then Winry and her best friend Ivy are on the other side with little Georgia in the middle.

"No worries, our waitress hasn't even been by yet," Winry says. "Anna was just filling us in on how her brother is coming to stay with her for a little while. "

I turn to Anna. "Oh, that's nice. I didn't know you had a brother."

"Yup, one older brother. He travels a lot for work but is taking some time off so he thought he'd come annoy me for a little while. He's coming in from Seattle on a later flight. Thankfully, he got a rental car and is driving to my house once he gets in. I hate going to the airport." Anna shudders.

"Why do you hate the airport?" Stevie asks, because why questions are her favorite questions.

"Just makes me anxious, kiddo." Anna shrugs. "J doesn't mind it at all, so it's not bad for everybody."

"Didn't he spring this visit on you?" Waverley asks next. "Couldn't he just stay with your parents in Charleston?"

"He could, but he kind of bought the house I'm staying in, and it came with the stipulation that he could crash in the guest room any time."

"Why did he buy your house?" Stevie asks with the genuine curiosity of a four-year-old.

Anna looks down at her and wraps an arm around her shoulder. "He's got a good job, so when he offered, I took him up on it. He's really a good brother, but I haven't seen him for more than a few days during the holidays in such a long time, so I'm kind of glad he's coming." Anna turns to me. "Which reminds me, he may tag along with me to Stevie's birthday party, if that's okay?"

"Oh yeah, that's fine. You know my family. There will be no shortage of food or activities so the more the merrier." I shrug. I probably won't even realize he's there.