When To Let Go Read Online Free Page B

whole wide world!”
    “Ava!” Mrs. Turner scolded, “I was talking.”
    “Sorry,” she mumbled, hanging her head down in shame.
    “Why was there no mention of this?” Naomi inquired.
    “We've had difficulties with him. Ava is an angel. Parker, however, has some serious anger issues that one would need a great deal of patience for.”
    Ava clamped her mouth shut, tears burning her eyes, wanting to defend her brother.
    “Did we not mention in our application that we were interested in siblings?” Naomi berated, talking down to Mrs. Turner the way adults did to Ava.
    “Yes, but–”
    “No buts,” Naomi interrupted, her voice rising.
    “Honey,” Stevie gently spoke, resting a hand on Naomi's arm. “You're scaring Ava.”
    The room fell quiet and Ava sunk her head down even more. This was why she’d been so nervous for today. She just knew she'd find a way to disappoint them.
    “Ava, sweetie,” Naomi's voice had lowered to an almost soothing sound. “I'm sorry if I frightened you. I just get protective over those I care about.”
    Ava shook her head, still keeping it down, “You didn't. I just knew I would mess up. I'm not the kind of kid a mom can love.”
    A chair scraped against the floor and footsteps echoed through the tiny room.
    Stevie bent down next to Ava, a hand rubbing her back, “Don't you dare believe that for a second. The minute we saw your picture we fell in love, and now having met you we love you even more.”
    Ava wanted to believe her more than anything; she'd dreamed about having a mom to love her back. The idea of two moms was more wonderful than she could have ever imagined.
    Stevie tucked away a strand of loose hair from Ava's face, “When I was a kid my mom left. I used to believe it was my fault. It's wasn't. Grownups can be more self-centered and immature than toddlers. Now we'd like the chance to be your parents and take care of you.”
    “Your brother, too,” Naomi piped in.
    Ava shot her head up, “Really?”
    Naomi gave Mrs. Turner a look similar to the one Parker would give to Ava when he didn't like something she had done, “Yes, we'd like to get that started immediately.”
    “It's not that simple–” Mrs. Turner started to explain.
    “I'm sure it's not,” Naomi spoke over Mrs. Turner. “I won't allow them to be split up.”
    “She's very bossy, isn’t she?” Stevie whispered in Ava's ear, loud enough for the room to hear.
    Ava giggled and Naomi grinned at them.
    “She'll get your brother, though, don't worry. She can intimidate a lion.”
    Ava giggled again at the same time her body warmed with a feeling she had only experienced from Parker. The one that made her feel loved and safe.
    “Do you think you and Parker would like to be a family with us?” Stevie asked, tears in her eyes that Ava didn't understand.
    “Yes, please,” she’d never wanted anything so bad in her life.

Chapter 4
What Is This Feeling?
    Eight-year-old Violet Baxter shuffled down the stairs, taking her sweet time, prolonging the day for as long as possible. She caught her dad's eye on the last step down. He gave a quick, sympathetic frown, understanding her misery. He didn't enjoy socializing any more than she did, which always made her wonder how he ended up married to a woman who seemed to make it her life's mission to be everybody’s friend.
    Noah Baxter opened the front door for his daughter, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and giving it a squeeze, “Humor your mom. This day is important to her. She gets to meet her two best friends' children.”
    Violet nodded glumly.
    “As soon as lunch is over I'm sure you'll be able to slip away unnoticed.”
    She sure hoped so. Luckily, everybody was used to her only hanging around until it had been an acceptable amount of time to escape.
    Violet loved her family and would do anything for them; regardless, for some reason she missed the part of her DNA that enjoyed being around others, just like her dad. Her mom and siblings, on the