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

them now, though, made those cracks in my chest fill in with something warm and golden. Gideon was patient with him. He took time

hand and let myself just watch. And as I did, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was making the right

was so lost in thought that I didn’t see the ball coming until it was a foot from my

gasped, throwing my arm up to protect my nose, and scrunched my eyes shut as I prepared for an impact that never

in front of me, fingers tightly gripping the ball. I blinked and looked up to see Gideon staring

His eyes were soft, shimmering even in the morning

I almost considered moving closer. It would have been easy. Natural.

voice was low, deep, and it snapped me out

the feelings that had bubbled up in my throat.

from across the

“I knew you were gonna catch it! That’s why I threw it

forcing Bjorn to go running across the lawn after

me, stretching his legs out in front of him. We watched Bjorn for a moment.

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