against his side. “Nobody’s going to collapse because a child touched the patio.”
I almost smiled.
Then Lily went still. Her eyes locked on something near his ear. She leaned closer.
Gerald noticed. His smile faded. “Sweetheart?”
Lily’s hand lifted slowly. “Mommy…”
I stepped nearer. “What is it?”
She pointed. “Daddy.”
I stared at her. “What?”
“Daddy’s there.” Her voice turned urgent. “Look!”
Gerald put her down. Too fast — she nearly lost her balance. That alone made me look at him. His face had drained of color.
Lily pointed again. “Mommy, Daddy’s there! You have to save him!”
Several guests had started listening. My cheeks burned. I dropped to her level.
“Baby, Daddy isn’t here.”
“He is!”
I pulled her close, then looked at Gerald. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t answer right away. “She misses Nathaniel.”
I tried to laugh. “Sometimes she gets confused.”
Gerald nodded, but his eyes never met
