Page 106 of Forfeits

“Good night. I’m glad you’re here to look after my dad.”

There was a pause while I’m sure Aiden swallowed his feelings. “I’m glad I am, too.”

Lucy’s soft footsteps disappeared as she returned to her room.

“That kid—” Aiden started.

“I know. Thank you.”

“I’m getting you some toast and tea—then running you a bath.”

“Thank you.”

“Fletcher. Everything’s going to be all right.”

Chapter Seventeen

Peacemaking

The tea and toast did wonders for my mood. I hadn’t realized how exhausted and emotionally spent I’d been until I felt better.

While Aiden was running the bath, I went to my bedside table and picked up the photo of Daniel.

“Have I showed you this?” I asked.

Aiden looked at the picture and shook his head.

“Well…this is Daniel,” I said.

Aiden took the photo frame and looked at the image of my late husband. He was on the ground in a pile of leaves with Cocoa on top of him, grinning like a fool.

“He’s…handsome.”

“Yeah, he was.”

“Gorgeous blue eyes.”

I sighed. “Recognize them?”

“Of course. Lucy’s are the exact same shade,” Aiden said. “She looks like him.”

I nodded, then held out my hand. Aiden put the photo frame back in my hand and I placed it back on the bedside table. Then I opened the drawer and got out a piece of folded notepaper.

“I want to show you this letter.”

Aiden sat on the edge of the bed. “Is it from Daniel?”

I shook my head. “No. I mostly have emails from Daniel. I have a folder of them.”

“That’s good.”

I passed the letter over. Aiden unfolded it.

“It’s from our surrogate, Tamara—the woman who carried Lucy while she was growing.”

“Oh!” Aiden said.

“We kept in touch. She sends Lucy a birthday card and Christmas card every year.”

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