Page 153 of Manacled Hearts

“My sweet Evie, I’ve missed you so much. You changed your hair!”

“Daddy, are you okay?” I pull back, checking him all over, before I grip his cheeks to hold him to me.

“Perfect now.”

His warm smile brings a fresh set of tears to my eyes. He puts Maya down and pulls me in the warmest, tightest hug, dropping sweet kisses on the top of my head.

“I’m okay, my sweet. Thank you for arranging the private plane. Jackie was squealing the whole way, and I think she ate all the peanuts.”

Private plane?

“Jackie?”

“Hi, baby girl!” The melodic voice of the older woman sounds from somewhere behind him, and I pull back to find her standing with Maya in her arms, all smiles.

“Oh, Jackie! It’s so good to see you!” Daddy lets me go and I rush to her, pulling her in a tight hug. “Are you okay? Is he okay? Were you—” I whisper on a rushed breath.

“We’re fine, honey. He’s fine too. The trip went by okay, he had a mild sedative at one point when he got a little confused, but it’s all good.”

I let out a charged breath clutching a hand to my chest.

“What about you?” she asks in a matching whisper. “I was told that it was going to be a surprise for both of you, but I must admit, I fought back quite a bit. At first I thought they wanted to kidnap us.”

I stifle an awkward laugh. She has no idea.

“But all the paperwork checked out. I had an interview and everything.”

Interview?

“Thank you for looking after him. For keeping him safe,” I finally tell her.

“Safe? Evelyn, it was them who kept us safe.” She nods toward where I know Finnigan stands. “It felt like a presidential escort. And I got a wonderful job thanks to Ms. Campbell.”

“You work here now?” I ask much louder, turning to the door where Finnigan and the woman pause their quiet conversation. It explains the interview.

“She came highly recommended. Plus, we heard that your father and her have a great bond, and at Queen Anne Sanctuary we believe in nurturing these connections. They help a great deal in certain cases,” the Director confirms.

“Well, I, for one, am happy. Thank you very much for having us in this lovely place.” My father nods his head in reverence to the woman. “Sweet Evie, did you see? They even have a fully stocked kitchen, like the ones you see in the movies for cooking courses, for us to use. We can make meringues again.”

He’s beaming, a smile so wide, I choke up. He’s clearly having a good day today, his Alzheimer’s allowing us some moments of beautiful clarity.

“Evelyn would love that. She’s baking more and more these days.” Finn steps up when I can’t form any words.

“And who might you be?”

“Finnigan Hennessey, sir.” The devastating man sports his softest smile as he extends his hand to my father and they shake. “We saw each other on video call, with the lovely Jackie, a few days ago.”

I’m sorry, he did what? I’m going to strangle the man. Not now, though. Not when my dad is next to me. Happy. Safe. Maya clings to him now, looking up at him like he’s the moon in the sky.

“Right. And to Evelyn?” my father asks.

“Sorry, sir?”

“Who are you to my sweet Evelyn?”

Finnigan’s cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink against his blonde curls, and I’m stepping toward them to intervene.

“Oh, apologies, I’m Evelyn’s boyfriend.”

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