Theaella

106

But he was already turning to leave. “Yeah, sure. I’ll get right on that,” he said, and I watched him walk away.

For a long moment, I couldn’t move, grappling with the sight of my father for only the second time in twenty years. But then I found a way to carry myself inside with mannequin legs, walking stiffly to the kitchen where I poured myself a darink.

Thank God Ma was out with vincentand Amelia. Thank God John and I were on the same page.

And thank God things were fine.

For now.

I downed a glass of scotch and poured another just as the door opened.

theaella appeared in the entryway, looking exhausted and utterly radiant despite the fact. And all I wanted, all I needed, was her in my arms.

I strode across the room, scooping her up with a laugh and a question that I swallowed whe