Page 112 of Tabitha

I wet my lips, take a deep breath for courage, and scan the letter quickly.

My dearest granddaughter,

If you’re reading this letter, that means we never had the pleasure of meeting. That’s my fault, and I apologize for it.

I didn’t know you existed until my son came to me wounded and bleeding. Whether you knew it or not, you saved his life the day you shot him. His fractured mind stabilized slightly, but unfortunately, not enough for him to function in normal society.

Man came to kill him for what he did to you, but I intervened and we struck a deal instead. The cost was letting you go. He promised you a better life than we could ever give you, and I had to save my son.

Samuel wasn’t a good father to you, but he did the best he could. The war broke him. He risked his life to do the right thing, became a hero by thwarting a robbery and delivering a shipment of gold to the people who needed it most, but it cost him his sanity.

He’s an honorable man who deserves more than to be forgotten.

I’m sure you understand the hard decision I was forced to make.

I’ve watched you from time to time, and you turned into an amazing young woman. I’m so proud of you. Please accept the inheritance I left you as an apology for missing out on your life. For not doing better. Be happy, my dearest granddaughter.

My deepest regards,

Your loving grandfather

Sherman T. Buford

“Idon’t know if I should be grateful I escaped or pissed that two old men decided my fate.” I toss the letter down with a rueful smile, unsure how I feel about finally knowing the truth. Everything I thought I knew about my past is a jumbled mess in my head. “Maybe he saved my life by letting me go. I have to believe he and Man did it with my best interest at heart.”

I touch the second letter hesitantly, nearly jolting when a warm hand comes to rest on the back of my neck. “Tabitha—”

“No,” I cut Bast off, then lean against the warm comfort of his broad chest. “I’m…good.”

And I am.

“I can’t be mad when it brought all of you into my life. You’re worth everything I had to do to survive.” I sigh, then straighten and pick up the second letter. It’s from my father. The writing is nearly illegible, the penmanship mostly scribbles or crossed out words. He obviously struggled to get his thoughts down. My heart softens that he went through so much trouble trying to get it right.

Tabitha,

I wish I could ask your forgiveness, but I won’t. I don’t deserve it. The war might have messed up my head, but what I did to you was unforgivable.

I wanted to protect you and fell back on my military training to raise you. I only now realize that it was inappropriate. I don’t blame you for shooting me. You were brave to run, and I’m so proud of you.

I don’t deserve it, but I must ask one last favor…please bury me next to your mother.

Your father,

Sergeant Samuel James Buford

My voice trails off, and I gently set the letter on the counter.

“Baby girl.” River crowds close behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, and rests his chin on my shoulder. “You don’t have to do anything. We can finish packing up the boxes and just leave.”

But I’m already shaking my head. “He gave his life to save us. He’s earned this last request.”

Bast cups my chin and searches my face. “Are you sure?”

I bask in his warm touch, loving the rough calluses, and quickly kiss his palm before I pull away. “Thank you so much for worrying about me, but I’m fine. I think part of me always thought I was being punished as a child. That it was my fault. It changes things to know my father thought he was protecting me the best way he knew how.”

I glance down at the letter, the ache I carried around since I was a child easing a little. I feel lighter, the weird sensation leaving me a little off-kilter. “I always thought he saw that I was different and punished me, hoping to make me normal. To know that he actually cared—it’s everything.”

Pierce tugs me away from the others, turning until my back is toward them, giving the impression that just the two of us remain. “When we look at you, we see the truth—youarespecial. Your uniqueness is one of the many reasons we love you.”

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