Page 54 of Mending Fate

That was a promise I was going to hold her to, but at the moment, I had candles to light.

When I walked into the kitchen, both Keli and Theresa were standing at the counter, neither one looking overly happy at the other one’s presence. On the counter was a beautiful cake decorated with a picture of a cheetah princess. According to Lumen, Evanne had introduced her classmates to playing ‘cheetah princesses and princes’ at recess. When I’d asked Evanne about it, she’d launched into a long and detailed explanation that I’d barely been able to follow. What I had understood was how excited she was about it.

“Keli, would you gather everyone around the table? I’ll carry the cake out when you start them singing.”

“Of course.” Her smile was a little tight, but she was still trying.

We’d come to a custody agreement more easily than I’d expected, leading me to add an addendum that we’d revisit the arrangement in six months. It had only been a few days, but I was optimistic.

“Happy birthday to you…”

I finished lighting the candles and then carried the cake into the dining room. There, sitting at the head of the table was my beaming daughter, clapping her hands in excitement at the sight of her cake. I set it down carefully and then moved to stand behind her, Keli on the other side. As the song finished, everyone cheered for her to blow out the nine candles on her cake. She got them all in a single breath.

When Keli looked at me, I motioned for her to cut the cake. I leaned down and kissed Evanne’s head. “I’m going to get the cupcakes.”

With a party of this size, one cake would only have been enough if it had been half the size of the table itself. We’d compromised. A sheet cake with her cheetah princess decoration and then four dozen cupcakes with candy tiaras. Lumen had originally offered to make the cupcakes, and then I’d told her how many we needed. Needless to say, she’d rescinded the offer.

By the time I got to the kitchen, Lumen was already there, taking the lid off the cupcake trays. Her back was to me, and it was far too tempting to put my hands on her. I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her back against me. The light vanilla scent she wore mingled with the sweet smell of the cupcakes, making me hungry in more than one way.

“You don’t need to do that, lass.” I kissed the top of her head.

“I want to.” She leaned back against me. “You did an amazing job on this party.”

“Thank you.”

“And as much as I’d like to spend a little more time alone with you, I think we should get these cupcakes out there before the vultures descend.”

I chuckled. “I was thinking along the same lines.”

“I’ll take this tray, and you take that one.”

Before I released her, I had one question I needed to ask. “How are you doing? I know my family can be a bit much.”

She turned in my arms and stretched up to kiss my cheek. “They’re great. I’ve talked to all of them, and they’ve been amazing.”

“Not too amazing, though?” I was only half-joking. I knew all too well how most women reacted to the men in my family.

“Are you jealous, Mr. McCrae?” she teased.

“Just a wee bit,” I admitted.

“Don’t be. I only have eyes for you.” She brushed her lips across mine and then stepped away, picking up the tray of cupcakes.

After cake and ice cream, it was time for presents, keeping me busy until Evanne finished thanking everyone and then asked if she could start playing with some of her new toys. Only then was I able to step away for a few minutes of quiet and solitude. Except when I went into the library, Eoin was already there.

“A little too much for you too?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Noise bugs me sometimes.”

I nodded as if I understood a fraction of what he’d been through even though I knew that wasn’t possible. “Thank you again for all the help you’ve given us this past week.”

“I’m glad I was able to help.” He walked over to the window, but I got the impression he wasn’t really looking at anything. “It was good to feel like I was doing some good again.”

I felt like he was more talking to himself than to me, but I listened anyway. The more time I’d spent with him this week, the more I’d seen how much he was struggling.

“I’ve been thinking I might want to do something like private security or private investigating.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Is that stupid?”

“Not at all,” I said, meaning it. “Anything I can do to help, just say the word.”