Kat's hand flew to his arm. "You've never said that to a woman before."
He gave her a gratified smile. "No. She shoved it back in my face."
"She's an idiot."
"No." He shook his head. "You're hopelessly biased." He shrugged and returned his gaze to the view. He could see the rose gardens, the delphiniums and the lilacs. Very soon they would be shedding petals due to the icy cold. He wanted a tree house for Zoe and wondered if she could play tennis. If not, it could be something he could teach her. He really wanted to do something for her that hadn't been done before. "She said some harsh things, but she was right." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his robe.
He felt the weight of her words settle heavily on his chest, a constant reminder that some wounds take time to heal. Yet beneath the ache, there was a spark of determination, an urge to become better, if only for his daughter's sake. The silence between them stretched, filled with unspoken hopes and regrets, but he drew strength from the knowledge that tomorrow would offer another chance.
"For the sake of our daughter, I'm going to insist on us having some sort of a relationship." He turned to her, squeezing her hand. "Thanks for looking out."
"Always." She hugged him. "Everyone deserves a second chance."
"Maybe my time has run out."
*****
"She's tuckered out." Cade pitched his voice to a whisper as he looked around the room. Black Friday had turned into an adventure. Shopping first with the women, which had taken most of the day and afternoon. He had heard her chattering excitedly to her mother about the heaps of stuff grandma and her aunts had bought her and how pretty the lights were at the very big and fancy department store. Then she had raved about the museum.
He had wanted her to himself and opted to dress her carefully against the cold and suggested a walk around the grounds. She could not play tennis, something that had pleased him immensely.
Right then and there, he had decided to make it their thing. He would teach her the game.
"She gorged on popcorn." His father chuckled and ran his hand over her tumble of curls. He was enjoying the new role as grandparent and intended to take it very seriously. The child was so beautiful and had the look of his wife and two beautiful children. He wanted to hold her to him and never let go.
"And hot chocolate." Eloise shook her head. "She should be quite ill by now."
"The kid has the stomach of a horse." Kevin laughed softly. He had been hesitant about giving his approval and love but had discovered the little girl had a way of piercing through armor.
"Want me to take her to bed?" Kat asked. "She has another long day ahead of her tomorrow. We promised her tea at Serenity Garden and an afternoon at one of the children's homes we're responsible for. Plus, she's excited about stopping at KLRX."
Cade sent her a sharp look. "You made all those plans without running it by me?"
"We did." She grinned at him unrepentantly. "I put off a date with a handsome and eligible gentleman to cater to my niece. Deal with it. We have such a short time with her that we will be cramming in as much as possible."
Kevin rose to indulge his weakness for carbonated drink by selecting something from the concession stand. Popping open the coke, he strolled to sit on the other side of his brother.
"See about getting alternate weekends."
Cade nodded. "Something I will be lobbying for. I don't want to take this to court." He stroked a hand over his daughter's hair. She had hopped from one pair of arms to another and ended upfalling asleep cuddled next to him. He loved the feel of her small body curled against his as if seeking his protection and realized quite fiercely that he would fight dragons for her. Slay lions and walk through fire and flood. The feeling overwhelmed him.
Over the last couple of weeks, the emotions bombarding him felt as if he had been through some sort of tsunami. For the first time in his life, he was in love with mother and daughter. And wanted them in his life so much, he was feeling the edges of despair that it would not happen.
As Cade sat quietly, a bittersweet smile crossed his face. He traced gentle circles on his daughter's back, memorizing the rhythm of her breathing and the trust she placed in him even in sleep. The room was alive with laughter and voices, yet he felt cocooned in this small, precious moment, wishing it could last forever. It dawned on him that family wasn't about shared blood, but the bonds forged in everyday gestures. Popcorn, hot chocolate, whispered promises, and a hand to hold when the night grew long.
*****
"Go away." Jillian was in no mood to entertain anyone after the night she had had. Black fricking Friday indeed, she thought bitterly. It had indeed lived up to its blasted name. A major pileup on the I-10, a skirmish at one of the major mall outlets with people who should have more sense, fighting over drastically marked down items.
Not to mention the domestic violence on Victoria Street that had left a mother and father dead and two children critically injured.
"I'm coming in." He pushed past her and felt his heart twisting at the look on her lovely face. He had heard about the carnage on the news and decided that he wanted to be there for her.
"I just came in from a brutal twenty-four-hour shift and the last thing I need is you in my face. Just go."
She let out a startled squeal when he simply hoisted her in his arms and up the stairs. "You need bed and some tea and perhaps some food."
"I'm not having sex with you." She was trying not to feel treasured and grateful he was here. He had hurt her with words and deserved a sword in the heart or lower down.
