Chapter 403

It was also true that I could hear Bjorn laughing from the backyard and wanted to see it.

I stepped out onto the back porch and found them in the wide stretch of grass behind the house. Bjorn had his cap on backwards now and was winding up with an exaggerated pitcher’s stance, tongue poking out the side of his mouth in concentration. Gideon stood at the other end of the yard, hands up, waiting.

Bjorn threw it. It went wide and low, and Gideon had to lunge sideways to catch it, which Bjorn found absolutely hilarious.

“Again!” Bjorn shouted.

I sat down on the porch steps and watched.

I had always wanted this for him. Since before he was even born, honestly, I had wanted my son to have what so many other kids got to have: a father figure who loved him, who cared for him, who would throw a ball with him.

I hadn’t been able to give him that. Not really. And it always broke my heart. 3

made those cracks in my chest fill in with something warm and golden. Gideon was patient with him. He took time to teach Bjorn how to

couldn’t help but wonder if I was making the right decision in letting them spend time together. Maybe it was risky, but

that I didn’t see the ball coming until it was a foot

scrunched my eyes shut as I prepared for an impact that never

of me, fingers tightly gripping the ball. I blinked and looked up to see Gideon staring down at me, and for

heart stutter in my chest. His eyes were soft, shimmering even in the morning light. His mouth

and bristled at his proximity. For a moment, I almost considered moving closer.

deep,

down the feelings that had bubbled up

from across

were gonna catch it! That’s why I threw it

to go running across the lawn after it. “Right, champ,” he said. “And I

turned back and sat on the step beside me, stretching his legs out in front of him. We watched Bjorn for a moment. Or at least, I did. I could feel Gideon looking at the side of

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