“No touching or playing in the waterfall.”
“I remember.”
“Good job,” Sin said. “If the doorbell rings—”
“Stranger danger,” Sammy said proudly. “Never open the door without the peeping first.”
“Peep hole,” Dakota said.
“Okay, you ready to unwrap your present?” Sin carried her into the living room and her eyes grew wide.
“That’s soooo big.”
He set her down and she ran to the middle of the floor where a large, wrapped gift waited.
The youngster beamed. “Can I open it now?”
“Go for it,” Sin said.
Sammy unwrapped the present and squealed. “A dollhouse with furniture!”
“That present stays here,” Sin explained. “Every time you come over, you can play with it.”
The child got busy examining everything and Evangeline offered Dakota a drink.
“Coffee, leaded.”
“Honey?” she asked her husband.
“I’m good, babe.”
Evangeline left the room and the brothers relaxed on the sofa.
“I saw the news report about Ralph Meyers,” Sin said.
Dakota nodded.
“How are you doing?”
“I don’t know.”
“What does that mean?”
“I feel like I’m treading water and the sharks are circling my feet.”
Evangeline handed Dakota a mug before sitting on the floor beside her niece. “I have a night light for later,” she explained to Sammy. “That way, we can light up the house and keep on playing.”
Sammy smiled. “That’s good.” She got up and headed out of the room.
“Where are you going?” Sin asked.
“To get my dollies.”
Evangeline pushed off the floor. “Wait for me.”
When his daughter was out of earshot, he said, “I’m chasing a damn ghost. Every elimination is a blemish on my soul. No matter what I do, it doesn’t bring justice for Beth. And nothing can bring her back.”
“You can’t change the past,” Sin said. “You have a great daughter and a thriving business. You don’t have to do the other.”
