Sherilyn was finally back at Sunset Ridge, feeling a sense of relief as she stepped into the comforting embrace of home.
“Mommy’s home!” Jenna’s little feet pounded across the floor as she threw herself into Sherilyn’s arms, eagerly looking around her for someone else.
Mr. Gilbert had kept his word; he promised Jenna that Mommy would return today, and here she was!
“Mr. Gilbert… Oh, it’s Mr. Ferguson, hi!” Jenna’s big eyes blinked in surprise, realizing that the man accompanying her mother was Mr. Ferguson, not Mr. Gilbert.
“Hey there, Jenna,” Edgar greeted with a smile, gently ruffling Jenna’s hair before turning his gaze to Sherilyn. “Sherilyn, you should rest with Jenna. I’ll head out now.”
“Sure,” Sherilyn replied with a grateful smile. She escorted him to the door, “For all you’ve done, let’s have dinner together sometime? Galen can join us too.”
It was the least she could do to express her gratitude for their help through the ordeal. Edgar paused, his smile briefly faltering, “Yeah, that sounds great.”
“Drive safe,” Sherilyn called after him as he nodded, feeling a lump in his throat, but he said nothing more before leaving.
Back inside, Sherilyn had a quick bite, took a shower, and prepared to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Jenna, clutching her Minnie Mouse doll, nestled close to her mother. “Mommy, I’ll stay with you.” “That’s my girl.”
Sherilyn held her daughter close, feeling her heart melt at the warmth and softness. “Mommy,” Jenna looked up, her voice a whisper, “Do you like Mr. Ferguson?” Sherilyn was taken aback, “Why do you ask that, honey?”
“Because you’re always with Mr. Ferguson now,” Jenna pouted, her voice slightly muffled, “Don’t you like Mr. Gilbert anymore?”
For Jenna, Mr. Gilbert was someone special. “Mommy,” Jenna burrowed deeper into Sherilyn’s embrace, “He came last night, read me a story, and helped me sleep.”
Sherilyn was surprised; Gilbert had
come to look after Jenna at Sunset
Ridge? Then she remembered
seeing him too, hadn’t she? Yes, at
the hospital, Gilbert had visited.
It was all a bit of a blur, with her fever and emotions making everything seem dreamlike. But it wasn’t a dream; he really had come
to see her. And he had taken care of Jenna, too.
en FindNovel
Despite their mutual decision to part ways, Gilbert’s willingness to step in and help meant a lot to Sherilyn.
“Jenna,” Sherilyn spoke gently, “Mommy and Mr. Gilbert can’t be together, but if you want to see him, that’s okay.” “Really?” Jenna brightened, “I can still see Mr. Gilbert?”
“Yes, darling, you can.”
Sherilyn wouldn’t stand in the way of Jenna’s relationship with Gilbert. He was Jenna’s biological father, after all, and Jenna deserved to know and have the opportunity to decide for herself.
en FindNovel
“Mommy’s the best!” Jenna hugged Sherilyn tightly, gently patting her back, “You must be tired, let’s sleep.”
“Okay.” Sherilyn nodded, silently resolving to talk to her brother about letting Gilbert know Jenna wanted to see him.