Page 31 of Wed to the Devil

Dare takes all of this in stride, eager to learn more about Solana just as I am. He doesn't talk much—which makes his presence even more powerful—but he listens intently as Solana talks about her interests and future aspirations.

One of the volunteers comes in and tells us that it's time for the kids to come upstairs for a snack and a nap. It's fine, because it's around the time of the end of our visit anyway.

Solana pulls Dare into a warm embrace, and he slowly brings his arms around her. "Take care," she says softly.

He steps back, giving her a small nod as he struggles to swallow the lump in his throat. "You too."

The genuine emotion between them makes tears prick my eyes. Despite only knowing each other for a few moments, they’ve formed a connection that even I can sense. We reluctantly say our goodbyes.

The drive home from the shelter is quiet; neither of us feel like talking much after such an emotional day. Dare seems to be lost in thought, and I'm not sure what he's thinking about.

Dare squints through the window, desperately seeking the truth. "What will happen to Solana if she isn't adopted?" he asks meekly.

“Solana comes from a very sad situation. Her parents died recently, and there don’t seem to be any relatives that have offered to take her. Her future is nothing but a question mark at this point. Hopefully, god willing, an aunt or uncle will turn up.”

He quirks his head. “Surely there are plenty of decent parents waiting to take in a bright kid like her.”

I feel my chest grow heavy with sadness. Rubbing the sore spot the feeling creates, I give him a wistful smile. "Finding homes for kids over the age of three is often nearly impossible," I reply. "It's heartbreaking to contemplate that she might never find a family. It kills me to think about it. She'll be stuck bouncing around from one foster home to the next until she ages out of the system. Those experiences will haunt her for the rest of her life."

I feel my throat closing up. Solana's sorrowful gaze flashes in my head. She must know what is happening, but at her young age, she can't quite put all the pieces together.

He goes quiet, looking away out his own window. After half a minute of waiting, I shrug and lapse into daydreaming about my own future. The silence stretches on for ten minutes at least.

When Dare finally speaks, it isn't to talk about Solana at all. Dare says, "I'm moving the company headquarters out of Harwicke."

My eyes widen and my head whips around.

"What?! Why would you do that?!" I exclaim.

Dare gives me a hard look and replies firmly. "It's way past due time to make a change. There will be no innovation or radical changes in the same place the company has been for over a hundred years. Morgan Drilling is dying a slow, painful death here. I'm thinking practically."

"What about the rest of the town?" I ask incredulously. "The shelter is only open because your company keeps the town of Harwicke alive. Without your company, the town will wither and die. Hope House will be forced to close its doors."

"That is... unfortunate," Dare says. "I don't think I should be blamed for that, though."

I gape at him. "Do you not understand that your decisions affect people?"

He looks at me like I'm a puzzle he can't figure out. "It's only business," he says simply before lapsing back into silence.

I shake my head in disbelief, not knowing how else to make him understand.

ChapterTen

DARE

I'm not sure what to expect as I show up at our loft with a closet full of new clothes for Talia. But I am certain she won't be pleased with my gift. And I'm right - her anger swells as soon as she sees the boxes and bags filled with everything from dresses to lingerie.

"What have you done?!" She shouts, her eyes blazing. "You burned my stuff? All of it?"

I shrug nonchalantly, but inside guilt swirls in my stomach. It's true - I had taken all her old clothes and had them incinerated without consulting her first. But it didn't seem chic enough, and I wanted to make sure she was wearing the best quality.

"It's no big deal," I say, trying to sound casual. "I'm just trying to help you look your best."

She glares at me before finally giving a sigh of resignation. "Fine," she mutters. "But this doesn't mean I'm going to like it."

Despite her initial protests, I can tell deep down that Talia is excited about all the new clothing options - it's evident in the eagerness of her eyes as she paws through everything. When she finishes admiring each piece of clothing, I clear my throat and speak up:

"Now that you've seen everything, why don't you get dressed? We're going out for dinner tonight."

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