He nodded. A heavy, comfortable silence fell between us, locked in an unexpected moment of understanding. I felt a different kind of attraction to Logan Turner then. It was more than the raw, physical pull I’d felt since the first time I saw him—a pull that was impossible to ignore in a man that beautiful. Even at my angriest, a stubborn, secret part of me had yearned for him to kiss me, to pull me close. I’d imagined the feel of his muscles under my hands and his firm grip on my body.
That primal attraction was still there, but now it was joined by something else.
If yesterday I’d thought I might bestartingto like him, I now understood the truth: I already liked him.
Maybe more than just a little.
Our gaze was broken when he suddenly looked down. I followed his eyes to see Aurora tugging on his shirt, holding up a red ornament and pointing to a high branch she couldn’t reach.
Logan understood instantly. He scooped her up, lifting her high enough to place the ball exactly where she wanted.
I smiled, unable to help myself. “See? Maybe you’re already learning.”
Chapter Twenty
LOGAN
John and Carol had left their home office unlocked for my use. Since I planned to be at the hospital every day, I hadn't intended to need it.
But that night, I took refuge there. And, incredibly, it had nothing to do with work.
I sat at the mahogany desk with my laptop, the folder containing the girls' documents beside me. My focus was on Aurora's medical reports.
As a neurologist, I understood deafness from a clinical perspective, even if it wasn't my specialty. But my knowledge felt utterly insufficient, especially because it was purely medical. I knew nothing of the social or practical realities.
I knew absolutely nothing about sign language, so that was my starting point. I spent hours reading aboutthe basics, learning that it was a complete language, with American Sign Language (ASL) being the one used here—the one Aurora used to communicate with Anna and Evelyn. The oneIneeded to learn.
I watched introductory videos, learning a few basic words and phrases. It was a start, but it wasn't enough. I needed to go deeper.
I also needed to research what I, as a doctor, could do for Aurora.
And more importantly, what I should do as herfather.
That word no longer felt so foreign.
I glanced at the clock in the corner of the screen and was startled to see it was past three in the morning. I’d lost all track of time.
Deciding to continue the next day, I shut down the computer and left the office. I was halfway down the hall when I heard a sound from the girls' room.
A scream.
Without a second thought, I flung the door open. The loud bang made Anna jolt upright in bed. When I turned on the light, I saw her tear-streaked face; the scream had been hers.
I rushed to her, sitting on the edge of the mattress. The mere thought of her being in pain terrified me on a level I hadn't felt in years.
“Anna… what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Still crying, she shook her head and looked around, disoriented. Her eyes settled on Aurora, who was still fast asleep.
I finally understood. “Did you have a bad dream?” I asked.
“Go away,” she ordered, her voice thick with tears.
“I’m not leaving you alone. Not until you’ve calmed down.”
“I want my mommy…” she whimpered.
The plea shattered something in my chest. I would have given anything to grant it, but it was the one thing completely beyond my power. I had no idea where her mother was, or why she had left.
