I nod slowly. “I do.”
“Then why isn’t she here?”
My mouth opens, but no words come.
What do I say?
That I was afraid?
That I chose statistics over love?
That I didn’t want to risk losing someone again?
“I think… I think she thought she was protecting us. And I think I let her go because I was trying to protect myself.”
Presley considers my response for a long moment before returning her determined gaze to mine. “Then get her back.”
“I tried to reach out, but she hasn’t responded. She might… She might not want to come back.”
“Then try harder.”
I glance up at Dylan, who simply shrugs. “The kid’s got a point.”
I look back at my daughter, tracing my eyes over her soft features. Her eyes are Cora’s. Same shade of green. Same intensity.
But the quiet strength in her posture? The raw determination in the face of adversity?
That’s all Rowan.
“Okay, Presley. I’ll try harder.”
“Thank you.” She leans forward and wraps her arms around my neck.
I hold her tighter than I have in months, fighting back the tears welling in my eyes.
“Can I go play now?” she asks matter-of-factly.
I huff out a laugh and pull myself to my full height. “Of course.”
She slips out of the kitchen like she didn’t just flip my world upside down.
“She spoke.” Dylan moves toward me, her eyes wide.
“I know.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I thought that part of her was gone.”
Dylan gives my arm a squeeze before staring into the distance, seemingly deep in thought. She could just be thinking about the fact that Rowan has Cora’s heart, but I get the feeling there’s something else on her mind.
Call it an older brother’s intuition.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
She sucks in a sharp breath, snapping out of her thoughts. “Oh. Of course.” She forces a smile.
I step closer. “Are you sure?”
“It’s nothing.” She averts her gaze.
“Dylan…”
