Page 40 of Quintessentially

Of course she did. News travels fast in Riverbend. Still, I try to explain. “Grandma Ruth had a box in her closet with pictures back before Molly was born.”

Kandace’s lips come together as her head shakes. “She’s not yours.”

ChapterSixteen

Dax

Ican’t believe what Kandace is saying.

She goes on. “Molly ismine. I carried her and gave birth to her. I wake up in the middle of the night and soothe her. I feed her and clothe her. I tuck her in…most nights. I wake her and bathe her. Molly is not yours; she’s mine.”

I take a step back. “Right, Kandace. I’m a shit father because I didn’t know she even existed.”

“Don’t you get it? You left. You said you’d be back and that didn’t happen. Do you know how many letters I wrote that I never mailed? How many text messages I typed out only to erase? You had your plans. And congratulations, you did it. You’re a big lawyer in Chicago. You never wanted Riverbend. I wasn’t going to be the one to force you to choose a life you’d hate.”

Each sentence breaks my heart. By the time she stops talking, there are tears rolling down her cheeks.

My eyes are also moist as I stare at her. It takes every ounce of self-control to not reach for her, to not pull her into my arms. Instead, my tenor drops. “I never hated being here with you.”

Her eyes close and her nostrils flare as she wipes her cheeks with the back of her hand. When her focus is again on me, she’s more composed. “I should have told you, Dax. I’m sorry.”

Unable to stop myself, I reach for her hand. As soon as I do, I remember touching her last night and the way she looked at me and what she said. That rejection doesn’t stop me this time.

She doesn’t pull away.

With her hand in mine, I look into her blue gaze. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Kandace. I’m so sorry.” My head shakes. “I spoke to her—Molly.”

Her hand in my grasp stiffens. “When?”

“Yesterday morning. She was eating oatmeal with Joyce.”

“Neither Molly nor Joyce told me.”

“I didn’t know who she was.” As I envision her, a smile curls my lips. “I only knew that she is beautiful and brave and smart. She smiled at me, flashing her missing bottom front teeth.” I tug on Kandace’s hand. “Please come in and sit. I have so many questions.”

Kandace smiles. “She was so excited to start losing teeth.” And then she shakes her head. “I can’t. Molly was asleep when I left for the store. I want to go home to her before her bedtime.”

“I could come with you.” I’m not sure where the idea comes from, but once I say it, I’m committed.

Kandace pulls her hand away. “Not yet.”

“Not yet?” I question. “She’s five, Kandace. I’ve missed five years.”

“She is five and I don’t think springing her father on her is the best way. I need to talk to her.” Kandace looks around the foyer. “The house looks different. It’s even different downstairs.”

“I’m not sure I approve.”

That makes her grin. “I can hear Ruth and what she’d say.”

“She knew.” That isn’t a question, and I’m not talking about the renovation of her house.

Kandace nods. “Don’t be upset with her. She honored my wishes. I couldn’t raise her great-granddaughter in her town under her nose and not tell her.” Kandace wraps her arms around her midsection. “Ruth was supportive from the very beginning.”

“I love how happy she looks in the pictures with Molly.”

Kandace nods. “Molly loved her. She called her grandmom. Ruth loved her back.”

Thinking about Grandma Ruth, I can’t help but be grateful she had Molly even if I didn’t.

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