“God, I love that woman,” Javier professed as he rose, sniffing at something savory.
The smell made Nick’s mouth water, too. Damn, he’d missed country sausage and gravy.
He and Xander followed Javier into the breakfast nook. They all took their seats around the table, Dulce bouncing on Javier’s knee and sticking her little tongue out for some baby oatmeal London had fixed. Everyone else dug into the hearty heaps of eggs, potatoes, and the amazing sage-rich sausage—except Sasha. She picked, far more concerned with trying to feed Harper than herself.
London finished a helping of eggs and some Greek yogurt, then pushed her plate away. “Sasha, why don’t you let me try to coax Harper to eat?”
“We’re fine. Finish your breakfast.”
The woman was so stubborn it made Nick want to grind his teeth.
“I’m done,” London insisted. “I’ve still got a few pounds of baby weight to lose, and even though I’m not pregnant anymore, I still can’t eat breakfast with the kind of gusto I used to.”
At her grimace, Sasha looked down at Harper. The girl’s eyes were half open, her cheeks red as she shifted listlessly.
“If it upsets her, I’ll bring her right back. But no offense, honey”—sympathy filled London’s face—“you look like you could use a decent meal.”
Nick watched their conversation, more than a bit surprised when Sasha slanted her gaze his way. She’d sought his reassurance again. Interesting…
He bent close to the little girl. “Harper?”
The child blinked her big green eyes up at him. God, she had so many of Mike’s features that looking at her hurt.
The girl didn’t speak but he had her attention. “Would you like to meet my friend?”
London waved at the girl. “Hi, Harper. I have a pink donut with sprinkles on it just for you…”
That made the little girl smile. She wriggled on Sasha’s lap, seeking a way down. Nick plucked her up and walked her around the table to London. Harper went to the woman right away, looking up at her with unabashed curiosity as she brushed a honey-colored curl from her wary eyes with little fingers.
“Hi, pretty girl. I’m London,” she cooed. “I’m guessing you like donuts.”
Harper nodded. “Yesth.”
She had the cutest lisp, and it tugged at something in Nick’s chest.
“Can you get me the white bag on the counter?” London pointed vaguely.
“Sure.” Nick plucked the bag from the gray slab next to the stove.
“Find the pink donut inside. And how about a plate?”
Nick fished out the pastry in question, then retrieved a dessert plate for the kid, whose eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. When he set it on the plate, Harper grabbed it.
Xander and Javier laughed. Sasha sent her daughter a smile so sad, it nearly ripped out his guts. She was questioning every decision she’d made as a mother, despite the fact that she’d had such limited choices since Mike’s murder.
“Why don’t you break it into sections for her?” London asked him. “Then Harper will be ready to eat.” She peeked around to the girl’s face. “Won’t you?”
“Pleath.” Harper nodded.
Nick broke the pastry into four manageable pieces and set all but one on the plate. The last he handed to the girl, who grabbed it with a smile before she shoved it into her mouth with a noisy smack.
Everyone laughed again. She really was a cute kid.
As Harper settled in with her donut, London added a few eggs and potatoes to the plate. With a combination of jokes, smiles, and silly faces, London persuaded the girl to eat roughly half the food.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, shattering the relaxed atmosphere. Nick stood, positioning himself between the front door and everyone vulnerable in the kitchen. He glanced at the clock. Two minutes until nine.
“The doctor?” Sasha asked.
