Page 111 of Gideon's Gratitude

I caught his gaze, expecting derision. Nothing but compassion exuded from those stunning-green eyes. Eyes so familiar to me. Eyes that no longer damned me.

Leo scooped Trevor into his arm and positioned him over his hip with an ease I could only envy.

Archer surreptitiously helped me stand.

Leo caught the man’s eye. “Leo.”

He stuck out his hand. “Archer.”

Leo looked around the clearing. “Thank you for calling. We’ve got this.”

“Archer is—” I struggled to get words out.

“Going,” the man supplied. “This is family time.”

Please stay. Please don’t abandon me.I glared beseechingly at him, but my lover didn’t appear to notice. He gave a curt nod, pivoted, and headed back the way he’d come.

“Daddy, I’m cold.”

Melodie’s words spurred me into action. I grasped her hand in mine as we followed Leo back to the house. The house that felt so cramped and old compared to Archer’s grand showcase.

When we were all inside, Leo gestured me to the sofa. He placed a reticent Trevor next to him, but the boy popped off.

“Want to play with toys.”

“Well, I want Daddy.” Melodie crawled into my lap and threw her arms around my neck. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I pressed my nose to her hair and inhaled the shampoo she favored. Raspberry scented. I pointed to the hearth. “Presents for the kids.”

Leo nodded but hesitated. “We need to talk.”

Tears prickled my eyes. Of course we did. “Not in front of the kids.” If I was to have my heart broken again, I couldn’t bear for Melodie and Trevor to witness it. I pressed a kiss to Melodie’s temple. “Why don’t you take Trevor upstairs? Your room is up there. And his as well. You’ll find toys to play with.”

Trevor pumped his fist while Melodie looked back and forth between her two fathers. “Are you going to fight?”

Leo pressed a hand to her black curls. “No, sweetheart, we’re not going to fight. Daddy and I want to figure out how to make this work. We both love you.”

She clung to my neck. “Promise to never go away again?”

Emotion clogged my throat.

“He won’t, Melly, I promise.” Leo held my gaze. “Daddy’s going to always be here for you.”

Reluctantly, she pulled back.

Trevor stood at the base of the stairs, waiting for his sister. As soon as she made it to him, he was off like a shot.

She followed but glanced back one more time before going out of sight.

My heart stuttered again. I didn’t want her out of my sight, but we needed to talk.

Lucky glanced back and forth between his new little companions and his faithful owner. In the end, he sat at the bottom of the stairs where he could keep an eye on everyone.

“Why now?” Emotion clogged my throat.

Leo sat beside me on the sofa. He crossed his legs casually and spread one arm along the back. He was within touching distance of me but didn’t bridge the gap.

Probably a good thing.

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