66

“Do you know why I’m giving this to you?” I asked Everly.

She shook her head.

“Because we’re going to make our own book, just like this one.” I moved to the end of the couch to get closer to her and pointed at the shot of the Las Vegas Strip, the picture she had just arrived at. “We’re going to fly there, and you’re going to see all the lights and have all the adventures, just like you asked for.”

Her mouth opened so wide. “We are?”

“How nice,” my mother said. “Everly, your daddy got you such a wonderful gift.”

“And we spoil her,” Dominick huffed.

I ignored my brother, flipping back a few pages to show her the mountain shots. “And we’re also going there, to Colorado, so you can see those mountains and ride some horses.”

“I am?”

“You’re going to love the horses,” my father said to her.

I lifted her off the ottoman and set her on my lap. “We’re leaving in this many days.” I held two hands in the air, spreading my fingers wide—the same way she had all morning.

Her face lit up even more.