“Thank you,” I whisper. “I won’t forget that again.”
He lets go, and the magic unravels back into layers of reality. The smell of barbecue, beer, and mint lemonade from the summer fair reigns throughout the park. The music is loud, combined with the joyful sounds of children laughing and people talking. It’s the same as it always was.
The only thing not the same is me.
10
DAMON
My blood boils.
I haven’t felt this way in a long time. It takes a while for me to get my thoughts back in order, and I’m glad Clara chose to stick by my side while Carter and Jace keep Jodie and the kids busy. We sit at the picnic table, watching them frolic around with the bubble machine, the sun dancing across their faces.
“They’re so pure and innocent,” Clara says after a lengthy silence.
“I know.”
“They ask the simplest, most important questions. They don’t understand the intricacies of human relationships yet. The world will ultimately break their hearts, and not a day goes by that I don’t dread the moment when my son will experience it.”
I give her a troubled look. “You’re so upbeat when Matty’s with you.”
“I carry it inside,” Clara says, her eyes filled with tears. “The children are a piece of us, Damon. When they’re hurting, we’re hurting. Hell, we hurt even when they’re not aware of the pain being inflicted upon them.”
“In this case, Elizabeth.”
She nods. “Shiloh is too little to understand. I’m guessing she still asks about her mother.”
I frown. “I never know what to tell her, so I just say that her mother had to go away. And every time, Shiloh asks why her mother doesn’t love her.”
“What do you say to that?”
“That Elizabeth does love her, but she’s got important work to do. Someday, she’ll be old enough to hear the truth. Until then, I’m sticking with that.”
“You’re a good father, Damon,” Clara replies, her shoulder gently pressing into my arm. “And it shows. Shiloh is a sweet, gentle girl. Curious but patient, kind and easygoing, quite selective with who she bonds with.”
“And that makes you a very lucky lady,” I chuckle softly. “She’s nuts about you, Clara.”
“Well, I’m nuts about her, too. And Matty adores her. She’s got Lenora in her life, as well. Then there’s Carter and Jace. They’ve been the coolest uncles, judging by what I’ve seen.”
I can’t help but laugh, and Clara laughs with me.
“She deserves it.”
“She does. She deserves a good family,” Clara says. “I hope you don’t feel guilty about pushing Elizabeth away.”
Shaking my head, I take a moment to glance back at the park’s main fairway, hoping to never see that woman again. It’s odd. A life was born from a one-night stand, and I actually thought I could build something from it, something I’d hoped to someday build with Clara, had she not run away.
And here we are with another chance.
“No guilt, just anger,” I tell her. “She did it on purpose. Elizabeth knows she isn’t allowed anywhere near us without a court order. I made sure of that when I filed for full custody. She relinquished her parental rights altogether.”
“Then what is she doing here?”
I shrug. “I have no idea.”
“I might,” Jace joins us back at the table, swiping through his phone. “There’s a charity gala happening next month here in Blackthorn Falls. It includes a fine art auction sponsored by Bill Lockwood.”
Clara’s face drops. “He’ll be here?”
