CREATING FAMILY

But the pain was magnified by the look Marigold had given her as Elena washed and dressed her for the last time.

It was a look of pure, unadulterated trust.

That baby loved you. And you just left her.

She still had her keys to her mother’s house, and when Elena walked in, the house was silent and dark.

It seemed her mother wasn’t home. She was probably out shopping or with one of her friends.

Great, your mother’s got a better social life than you do. Now get it together.

Her thoughts had changed.

Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she would be strong. She would put herself back together and be happy doing it.

Back in her room, Elena unpacked her duffel bag and pulled out her laptop.

Then she headed to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee while she updated her resumé.

Elena also considered starting a writing blog where she could post fictional stories about men that turned into bears and wolves. But then she remembered the man who had followed her in Costco.

She understood what At