Four
Five months later
“Don’t put that in your mouth, buddy. Ice plant doesn’t taste very good.” Gunner folded his letter of acceptance and orders from the Unified Defense Fleet and shoved them back into his coat pocket. “Mama would not be happy with me if you ate it.”
David looked at him with those crystal-blue peepers of his. “Ga?” The boy opened his chubby hand and shook it, but the tubular leaf stuck to his palm. “Uh-oh.”
“Here, let me help.” Gunner flicked the leaf with one finger, and it dropped to the ground.
Looking first at the leaf, then up at Gunner, the little boy laughed, his round cheeks pink from the crisp autumn air. Gunner’s heart squeezed at the joyful sound. He couldn’t love this kid more if David were his own son.
But he’s not my son.
A heavy sigh slipped out. La
