Page 52 of The Widower
Colin didn’t say anything once she left. For a second, I thought it was because of me, but then he spoke—softly, almost to himself.
“After Maddison died, he wouldn’t play with any of his friends. He used to say the only person worth playing with was his sister. I’m… honestly surprised by what I’m seeing.”
“Oh, but Hanna had to chase him for quite a while,” I said, laughing. Colin smiled—just barely, but he did.
“I heard. She’s… persistent.”
“Persistent?!” I met his eyes and instantly regretted it. “She always gets what she wants.”
“I know.”
Now he was the one looking at me—really looking—and I could tell he was thinking of saying something else. He didn’t. Instead, his gaze lingered long enough to make me nervous. Those eyes… they could unravel me.
“Well, I guess we should talk to the kids and—”
“What was your relationship like with Hanna’s father?”
That stopped me cold. Of all the questions he could have asked… why that one?
“Good,” I said quickly, too quickly.
“You sure?”His tone made it clear he didn’t buy it.
“Are you seriously asking if I’m sure?”
“I think you’re lying,” he said flatly, not even pretending to deny it.
I didn’t understand Colin’s sudden curiosity—or why he seemed so invested in this conversation—but I wasn’t about to go there.
“We were a normal couple. We had our ups and downs, like anyone else.”
“Interesting. You made sure to mention the flaws, not the good parts.”
I stared at him again, caught by those eyes that seemed to pull every truth I wanted to hide. This conversation was becoming way too dangerous.
“Uncle Colin! Uncle Colin! Wanna play with us?”
Thank God. My daughter had the perfect sense of timing.
“Maybe another day, okay?” he said with a smile, turning his attention back to Joshua, who was sitting quietly.
“Okay.”
Colin called out to Jeanne, who appeared almost instantly.
“Take them to get cleaned up.I think they’ve had enough for today.”
“Of course, Colin.”
Apparently, no one in this house dared call him Mr. anything.
Once they were gone, I realized I wanted to disappear too. Colin was still looking at me—that same steady gaze that felt like it could see straight through me.
“How about a game of questions and answers?” he said, bending down to help me gather the cards the kids had left scattered on the floor.
“You’re joking, right?”
“Nope. It’ll be fun. Though I should warn you—it’s not exactly advisable to play anything with me.”
