Rowan turned, blinking into wakefulness, and then sat up abruptly, shock plain upon his face. “Lucy?” His gaze swept the room, alert in an instant. “Is something wrong? Lucy, has something happened?”
She lifted a hand, quick to reassure him. “No, nothing is wrong, I promise. I found Daniel in the corridor. He had a nightmare. The storm frightened him, and he wished to see you.”
Rowan’s attention snapped to his son at once. “Is that true?” he asked gently.
Daniel nodded, still holding Lucy’s hand. “Yes, Papa.”
Relief crossed Rowan’s features, followed by a tenderness that softened his expression entirely. “Come here,” he said, holding out his arm.
As Daniel moved toward him, Lucy found herself abruptly, mortifyingly aware of Rowan in a way she had not been prepared for.
He had clearly risen in haste, wearing only a loose sleeping shirt, unlaced at the collar. The fabric hung open just enough to reveal the warm line of his chest, the subtle definition beneath catching the intermittent light from the storm. She caught a glimpse of skin, of his masculinity, and had to force herself to look away.
She failed. Her eyes found their way back to him again.
Her gaze betrayed her, lingering despite her best efforts, her thoughts momentarily scattered in a way she resented deeply. This was ridiculous. Entirely inappropriate. She fixed her eyes on the far wall at once, schooling her expression into calm.
Rowan, mercifully preoccupied with Daniel, did not seem to notice.
Lucy cleared her throat. “I thought it best to bring him to you,” she said, her voice steady despite herself. “I will leave you both now.”
“Thank you,” Rowan said quietly, his voice still thick with sleep but steady all the same, “for bringing him to me. I am sorry he disturbed you.”
Lucy inclined her head. “Of course. It was no trouble.” She stepped back another pace, already turning toward the door. “I should let you both rest.”
“Please stay,” Daniel said suddenly. He reached out again, fingers curling into the fabric of her robe. “Just for a little while.”
Rowan shook his head at once. “No, Daniel. Lucy must be tired. She should return to her bed.”
Lucy managed a smile. “Your father is right, Daniel,” she said softly. “You are not alone now.”
But Daniel’s lower lip trembled. “I want you to stay,” he insisted. “Please. I want to tell you about the nightmare I had.”
Lucy hesitated. She glanced at Rowan, prepared to object, but something in Daniel’s expression made her pause. After a moment, she sighed quietly. “Very well,” she said. “Just for a little while.”
Rowan said nothing further, only drew Daniel closer, one hand smoothing his hair. “Tell me what frightened you,” he said softly.
Daniel hesitated, then whispered, “I dreamed there was a lady in my room. She was smiling at me. I think… I think she was Mama.”
Rowan went still. “What did she do in your dream?”
“She didn’t say anything,” Daniel continued, his voice small. “She just looked at me. But then the thunder came, and she went away. I wanted to ask her why she left. She left so suddenly. It scared me. It was almost like she disappeared. She didn’t use the door. Was it Mama?”
Rowan swallowed, tightening his hold. “I don’t know, Daniel,” he said. “But if it was, then there is absolutely nothing to be scared of. Your mother loved you. A lot. I am sure she wasn’t there to scare you.”
“But why can I not remember her?” Daniel asked, tears slipping free.
“She left when you were so little,” Rowan answered. “It’s all right that you don’t remember. I can always remind you.”
Lucy sat on the bed before she quite realized she had moved, concentrating all her attention on Daniel, who lay in Rowan’s arms. “Sometimes,” she said softly, “people we love stay with us in other ways. In dreams, in feelings, in the moments when we feel brave even though we are afraid. Perhaps, your mama knew you were scared of the storm and wanted to stay with you.”
Daniel turned his head slightly. “Do you think she knows me?”
“Of course,” Lucy said without hesitation. “How could she not know her own son? A mother never forgets her child.”
“She would be very proud of you,” Rowan said. “You were brave tonight.”
Daniel nodded, then reached out, his fingers finding Lucy’s hand and curling around it. He held on tightly as Rowan embraced him, pressing his face into his father’s side.
