Page 46

With one blink, tears of deep-rooted anguish streamed down Katherine’s face. “She was only six months old.”

As her voice strained to produce sound, Matthew reached out to hold Katherine’s hand, and this time, she didn’t pull away.

“I wasn’t home when it happened. At the time, I was touring schools in Seattle, convinced I needed a culinary arts degree to be taken seriously.” Katherine paused as her lip quivered. “In a rare show of support from Max, he agreed to look after Addy while I was gone. That was her name, Addison Rebecca Chandler.”

Katherine’s lip quivered again, and it pained Matthew to see her go on, but he didn’t dare stop her.

“Max was supposed to be home that weekend, but instead, he went to his parents’ house while they were out of town. Looking back, I should’ve known something wasn’t right because he pushed so hard to make sure I’d be away that weekend. He said everything would be okay, and I believed him.”

Katherine looked for something she could use to wipe her eyes, but Matthew was one step ahead of her, and she thanked him for his kindness.

“Based on witness statements, Max came out of his parents’ house with a woman and was headed back inside when they got into an argument on the front lawn.”

Matthew listened, wondering if Katherine knew who the woman was.

“Eventually, he convinced her to leave, and since it was dark and no one knew her, she was never identified. Which, I’m sure, was part of her appeal for Max. He always liked secrets and sneaking around. Anyway, he must’ve thought he could get her out of sight and still have time to go back inside for Addy. But he lost precious time, and the fire burned too hot and too fast. I was told the official report said that Max most likely lost his way in the smoke, then got trapped by the flames. And even though the fire department made it in time to get Addy out, when they got her to the hospital, she didn’t make it. The heat and smoke were too much for her little body to take.”

Katherine paused as her words broke on a sob.

“I didn’t actually read the report myself. I just couldn’t. But I always suspected there was something more to the story. Whether it was because they couldn’t tell me or simply wouldn’t, I don’t know.”

“Oh, Katie.” Matthew shook his head in disbelief. “I’m so sorry you lost Addison.”

At the mention of her baby’s name, something in Katherine shifted and her expression turned to stone as she wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand even though the tissue was still balled up in her fist. Then she took another long drink from her glass.

Suspecting that she was quietly building a wall between his words and her heart, Matthew knew he couldn’t let thathappen.He sensed there was more pain that she needed to get out.

Getting up, he came around the table, pulled her up from the chair, stood her in front of him, and held her face in his hands, locking his gaze with hers.

“I have no doubt that you were a wonderful mother,” Matthew said before pulling her into his arms.“After everything you did for us today, I see your heart so clearly now.”

With her head pressed against his broad chest and their arms wrapped firmly around one another, Katherine’s walls crumbled, and she started to sob in soul-shattering anguish.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I was a terrible mother. I left my baby when she needed me the most because I thought she was little enough that it wouldn’t matter. That she wouldn’t remember it anyway. But I failed her, Matthew. I failed my Addy. And for that, I can never forgive myself.”

As her body trembled with emotion, Matthew held on even tighter, wishing he could make the pain go away. “You really do know what a broken heart feels like, don’t you?”

Holding her tighter, he ran his hands along the length of her back as she cried. The warmth of his touch and the kindness from his heart gave her a feeling she’d long forgotten was possible.

“I’m glad we’re friends,” he finally said. “Because we’re going to help each other get through these heartbreaks. I’ll be there for you just like you’ve been here for me. And we’ll get through this together, I promise.”

Still shuddering from each ragged breath, Katherine realized how safe she felt in Matthew’s arms. And she wished she could do for him what he was doing for her now.

“I’m sorry for being such a burden,” she hiccupped. “I know you don’t need this right now.”

“You’re not a burden, and you don’t need to apologize,” Matthew said, reaching for her drink. “Here… take a sip.”

Katherine hiccupped again before lifting the glass to her lips. When she was done, Matthew sat down and pulled her into his lap, pressing her against his body and wrapping his arms around her waist. Quietly, he held her there until her sobs eased into more even breaths.

It took time, but Matthew didn’t mind. It felt good to finally hold her and know he was able to help.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“Mm-hmm…” she murmured, slightly tipsy, and boldly running her hand over Matthew’s shoulder, down his bicep to his elbow and back again. Repeating the same path until she was completely calm.

“Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything,” she practically purred, snuggling even closer, enjoying how good it felt to be held.