Monday night, Kassie’s phone rang at 8:30, just as she was finishing up Emma’s bedtime routine. Emma, still restless from the weekend, perked up from her bed.
“Is that Daddy?” she asked hopefully.
Kassie glanced at the caller ID, her heart tightening. “Yes, it’s Daddy.”
“Can I talk to him?”
“Let me answer first, sweetheart.” Kassie stepped into the hallway, steadying her voice. “Hi, Daniel.”
“Hi,” his voice was warm, and she could hear the smile in it. “I hope I’m not calling too late. I couldn’t stop thinking about you both today.”
“Emma’s just going to bed. She’ll want to say goodnight.”
“I’d love that. But first—how are you?”
Something about his tone, the genuine interest, made Kassie sink down against the wall. “Good. Emma talked about you all day. The older kids noticed too.”
