Page 9 of Perilous Healing

I’d never even met the child. I’d hidden myself away in a mountain cabin in Montana, refusing to come see her even after she’d been born. Sierra was so upset at my staying away, but how was I supposed to explain the darkness in my soul? The weight that I carried? How could I have told her all the ways I struggled to cope with civilian life once I made it home?

It was when I went in to sign the papers to relinquish custody of Eloise that I’d felt someone—or something—knock the wind from my lungs. And as I’d paused, trying to catch my breath, I’d seen little Eloise sitting in a playpen at the children’s services building, crying.

One look is all it took for me to realize what a mistake I was making by walking away. For all intents and purposes, I became a dad that day.

And I haven’t looked back since.

I get into my truck and pull out of the lighthouse, making my way toward the bakery so I can pick up two cupcakes for Eloise and me tonight. I’ve had custody of her for three years now, and every year I’ve done my best to make her birthday special.

Since my parents are gone, Rick’s too, it’s just the two of us against the world.

Silas and Eloise.

And I’ll die before I let anything happen to her.

So distracted by my thoughts, I didn’t even notice Bianca’s car sitting outside the bakery until I’m parked right alongside it. Dread burns a hole in my stomach, and I shift my truck into reverse, ready to bail, but when I see her sitting at a table in the corner, a single cupcake in front of her, I throw the truck back in park as memories assault me.

I know what today is for her.

It’s Bianca’s birthday, too.

And truth be told, I’m probably the only person in this town who knows it because she confessed to me that she hated today. That her birthday was the start of everything in her life falling apart.

She’s in pain.

I slam my hands against the steering wheel as that realization hits me square in the gut. Leaning forward, I rest my forehead against the steering wheel between my hands. I can still see her, sitting on the jungle floor, her hair wet as rain poured down on top of us. The droplets on her cheeks were either rainwater or tears, who knows, but her pain—it hung heavy in the air around us.

So even though I don’t want to, I get out of the truck and head inside. The tiny bell dings overhead, but Bianca doesn’t look up.

Kyra Redding looks up from behind the counter and smiles at me. “Hey, Silas! I just finished Eloise’s special cupcakes.” She lifts a small white box and sets it on the counter.

“Thanks.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out some cash and set it on the counter as I take the box. “No change, thanks. You need help boarding up the windows?” I ask, noting the plywood leaning against the wall.

“I appreciate it, but my lovely husband and Henry Acker will be coming by to meet Felix. The three of them are putting them up.”

“Have them call if you need additional hands.”

“Will do.” She beams. “Thanks.” Her phone rings so she quickly excuses herself.

I glance over my shoulder at Bianca again. The cupcake in front of her is still untouched, undoubtedly lemon with white frosting and sugar crystals, as her mother used to make for her each year. There’s a tablet in front of her and she’s reading intently.

I don’t know that she even realizes I’m here.

I could probably just slip out through the door—but when her brow furrows even further at whatever it is she’s reading, and the small scar at the corner of her eye catches my attention, I’m thrown right back into that jungle.

I may despise what Bianca did.

But I cannot deny who she was to me.

So, I make my way over to her. “Enjoy your birthday.”

She looks up at me now, green eyes full of surprise. “You know better than that.”

“It’s still your day.”

“No,” she replies, “it’s not.”

“Then what’s with the cupcake?”

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