Page 144 of Beat of Love
He traced a finger over the delicate features of the girl. “What’s going to happen to … Sinead?”
“Well, I was hoping you had some information regarding Sarah’s family. We need to contact them.”
“She had none,” he answered truthfully. “She grew up in an orphanage.” In Rio de Janeiro. And met Oliveira soon after leaving. Scraping by as a waitress, the bastard had taken advantage of her vulnerability, drawing her into his life by offering her an escape to the USA.
“Well, then. That makes things easier.” Mrs. Bronson scraped her throat. “I have a couple who’s willing to adopt them. Financially stable, churchgoers. They already have an adopted four-year-old and want to expand their family. They will care for Sinead and Connor as their own.”
“Connor?”
She beamed at him. “It’s a perfect solution. They’re a lovely couple, Mr. Lawson.”
Over my dead body.
Rafferty paced the small conference room, trying to make sense of his confusion. All he knew was that the notion of relinquishing his claim on Connor and his little sister was … distasteful.
What is wrong with you, Raff?
There’s a family who wants them both.
Here’s your out. Take it. Take it, you fool.
But Selena named her daughter Sinead.
Selena chose you to protect her son,Brandy-Lyn’s words from a few days ago came to mind.
And her daughter? Why hadn’t she made him the girl’s guardian? Or even put his name on her birth certificate.
He swung back to face Mrs. Bronson, hands on his hips. “You mentioned a letter? From … Sarah?”
Maybe Selena gave an indication about her wishes for the girl in the letter? Mentioned the father. He needed to know. Before he did something reckless — like claim the child. At least he hadn’t killed the girl’s father.
“Ah. Yes. The letter.” Mrs. Bronson fiddled with the folder and removed an envelope tucked into the side pocket. “Here,” she said, placing it on the table.
He looked at the white rectangle with his name written in neat block letters. What would he find in there? Words to absolve? Or ones to bind him even further? He’d not know until he read the damned letter. “Can I have some privacy?”
“Of course.” Mrs. Bronson stood and left the room.
He sank back to his seat, tore open the sealed envelope, and scanned the words filling the page.
Rafferty,
My son was born today, and thanks to you, he was born free. Free from the legacy of blood. Free to be whoever he wants to be. As I held him in my arms for the first time, I vowed to teach him that love is the way to live. That kindness and compassion are the cornerstones of life.
If you are reading this, it is because I can no longer do what I promised my son to do. There is only one person I trust to continue what I started — you, our hero, the wonderful and brave man who risked so much to rescue us from certain hell. I am trusting you, Rafferty Lawson, to teach my son how to become a good man.
You are his protector. His guardian angel. His true father.
S
Rafferty let go of the letter and drummed his fingers on the wood.
Selena had penned the letter just after Connor’s birth, therefore no mention of her daughter.
But naming the baby Sinead?
Dammit, Selena.
He wasn’t blind to the implied significance.Fuck.
