Page 109 of The Lilac River

“Just be ready for dinner at seven. Elodie’s mom is dropping the girls off after the zoo, and once Bertie’s in bed, we’re sitting down. All of us.”

He scratched behind Peanut’s ears. For a second, the tilt of his head, the way the light hit his jaw it was like looking at Dad. But then he stuck out his tongue and started making kissy faces at the horse, and the moment broke.

“You know Bertie’s gonna freak out when she sees her teacher sitting at the dinner table.”

I nodded. “I know.”

And the truth was, the thought tugged at something deep in my chest. That kind of love, the way Bertie already looked at Lily like she was some magical being, scared the hell out of me. Because what if I messed it all up again?

Gunner saluted with two fingers. “Seven sharp.”

He clicked his tongue, nudging Peanut down the trail.

“Last one back is a big poopy pants!” he yelled.

Christ, that man spent too much time around my daughter.

I slowed my horse, letting him pull ahead, and tilted my face to the sky. The sun had dipped low, and stars were beginning to blink through the fading blue. Somewhere, Lily was getting ready. Soon, she’d be driving toward me—coming home.

I closed my eyes and made a wish like a damn fool that this time, nothing would take her away, because I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this... alive. Or this fucking terrified.

“And the tiger had these great big teeth, Daddy! Like real sharp!”

Bertie stretched her arms as wide as they would go, standing on her tiptoes as she let out a roar that was far more adorable than it was ferocious.

“Is that right?” I asked, smiling so hard it hurt. This girl—she was pure sunshine. Everything good in my life bundled into an eight-year-old body with skinned knees and strawberry shampoo.

“What else did you see?” I reached over and ran a hand down the intricate braid Elodie’s mom had somehow managed to tame her wild mane intoandget it to stay in. I needed to learnthat trick, because when I tried, Bertie’s hair usually ended up looking like a crow’s nest after a windstorm within a couple of hours.

“There were lions! And bears! And flamencos!”

“Flamingos,” I corrected gently, trying not to laugh.

“That’s what I said.” She put her hands on her hips, full sass. Then, with all the drama she could muster, let out a big sigh. “Anyway, it was one of the very best days of mywholelife. But I’m pooped.”

I wrapped my arm around her small shoulders as she leaned into me on the porch swing. The wood creaked beneath us as the warm breeze stirred the scent of cut grass and honeysuckle.

“I’m not surprised,” I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You had a big day.”

Some days, I still couldn’t believe she was mine. Other days, I couldn’t believe I’d survived without her. She wore me out, sure, but every hug, every grin, every mispronounced word was a miracle.

“I think I could sleep for daaaaays,” she said, yawning so wide I could see her molars.

“You want to go straight to bed?” I teased. “Or maybe… maybe you want to stay up for our dinner guest?”

Her eyes snapped open.

“We’re having a visitor?!”

I pulled her onto my lap and nuzzled her cheek. “Someone you know.”

“Felicia?”

“Nope.”

She squinted. “Not Mr. Brubank?”

“Why the heck would I invite the man who runs the hardware store?”