Page 35 of Even Ground

Ros smiles. “Sounds like she wants you to.”

I shift my gaze back to Melly. “Come on, you.”

After she’s in her pyjamas and her teeth are brushed, I tuck her under her bed covers and start telling the story.

It’s been months since I’ve done this, but I remember every word as Hairy Maclary goes for a walk with his other dog friends until …

“They saw …” I draw in a breath.

Melly holds her hands up like claws and deepens her voice. “Scarface Claw …”

“The toughest Tom in town,” we say together.

She collapses in giggles.

“Before I finish this story, Miss Melly, I think we need to snuggle you down to sleep. You don’t usually last all the way to Scarface Claw.”

“I like you reading to me.”

She nestles down under the covers, and I pull the duvet up to her chin and bend to kiss her nose. “I like reading to you.”

Melly purses her lips. “Daddy has to read the book. He doesn’t remember the story like you.”

I laugh. “Give him time. I’ve read that story so many times, I think it’s burned into my brain forever.”

“I miss Mummy and Daddy.”

I reach over and stroke her cheek. “You’ll see them soon. They’ll be missing you too.”

“Can you read Hairy Maclary every night?”

I nod. “Of course I can, taku iti kahurangi.”

“What does that mean?” Melly asks.

“It means my little treasure. That’s what you are to me.” I tilt my head.

She lets out a big yawn. “I’m tired.”

“Then close your eyes and go to sleep. I’ll stay right here if you want me to.”

I sit with her for a while. It’s not often that she does last the whole story, but I guess it’s the novelty of having someone else here to tell it. That, and she’s missing her parents. I’m glad she has the comfort of her own bed and surroundings at least, and that I’m here to keep her company.

A couple of times, she stirs, her eyes opening a little, as if she’s checking I’m still here, but she eventually drifts off to sleep. Thankfully, for Delaney, once Melly got past the sleepless nights, she loved sleeping. It’s definitely made this easier.

I drop a kiss to her cheek before tiptoeing toward the door, turning my head just in time to realise Reece is standing in the doorway.

“That is one amazing kid,” Reece says as I walk out into the hall.

I look back at Melly. My heart will break when I go home and leave her and her mother. Melly’s been a part of my life since before she was born. I was the one who held Delaney up when she cried over Josh, and then her mother as she was thrown out of the house. I was Delaney’s person when she gave birth, and the first person other than Delaney to hold that little girl in my arms.

“She’s fantastic. I love the shit out of her.”

Reece says nothing, so I look at him. His gaze is still fixed on that little girl in the bed. He sucks in a breath and turns to me.

“I always wanted kids.” His eyes search mine. “What about you?”

“One day.” I drop my gaze. “I thought I’d probably live the rest of my life working in our little diner, and settling down with a sheep farmer or something. But now …” I pick at my finger nails. “I want to finish my course, start my own business, and live a little before I have kids.”

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