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from her face. “It’s the room. I woke up, and got a little bit confused…”
    He closes his eyes and kisses the crown of her head. “How about I get you a night light tomorrow? That might help.”
    She nods her head. Their sleepy embrace is about the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
    â€œLil’s gonna read me a book.”
    I make a mental note to buy some pretty things for Charlie’s room so it feels as if she belongs here, and not so much as if she’s a guest in our lives.
    â€œThat sounds mighty nice,” Damon says. “Sleep tight, I’ll kiss you goodnight when I come past.” He tilts his head almost imperceptibly and gives me a look as if to check I’m happy to be the one to put her back to bed. I smile, and nod.
    Back in the small room, I switch on the bedside lamp and tuck her in snug.
    â€œLil?”
    I select a book from the small pile stacked on the shelf. “Mmm?”
    â€œIf I say I love you, that doesn’t mean I don’t love my mommy, right? I mean…she won’t be hurt, will she?”
    I perch on the edge of the bed and weigh up how to answer. “You know…no one can replace the love you have for your mom or dad. By saying you care for other people as well as them just means you’ve got a big heart—” I tap her chest “—with enough love in there for everyone. I think your mom would be happy to know that you feel safe and loved here. That’s all that would matter to her.”
    â€œSo she won’t mind?”
    I flash her a smile. “Seems to me she’d be pretty proud of you. And you can tell her how much you miss her while you’re here, because I’m sure she’s missing you.”
    Charlie nods sagely. “I do miss her, but I miss you and Daddy when I’m gone too.”
    â€œWe do too, but that only makes it so much more fun when you come back.”
    â€œI love CeeCee too. My mommy says she sounds like a funny lady.”
    We giggle. “See? Sounds like your mom is happy that you’re having fun while you’re here.”
    â€œOK.” Charlie puts her teddy bear under her arm. “Will you do special voices when you get to the part about the wolf?” She points to the book.
    I relax against the bedhead. “I sure can.”

Chapter Five
    Birds chirp from the tree outside my window, making me bolt out of bed.
Shoot!
Sunlight streams in; I’ve overslept. Damon’s side of the bed is empty, and I take a second to wonder why. It’s not like him to leave without waking me; most mornings we sit together over a cup of coffee that’s so strong it makes my eyes
boing
open. For a moment I wonder if he’s rethinking our relationship because of Joel’s sudden presence, then dismiss the ridiculous thought.
    I curse as I pull clothes from the cupboard. My mind races with all the things we need to do for the chocolate festival, and the activities for the kids on Saturday. I also want to buy a few things for Charlie’s room, cute little girly things: pink sheets, a lamp, maybe some Barbie dolls.
    I throw on a loose tee shirt, and pull up some jeans. CeeCee will be wondering where I am; I promised to get in early to make the gingerbread rabbits. In the bathroom I assess my reflection in the mirror: a mite pale, but a lot better than I looked last night. The thought of Joel’s letter sitting in my bag galvanizes me. I have to make an appointment with Mr Jefferson, a semi-retired lawyer, and the only one in Ashford to boot, for some legal advice.
    A quick splash of cold water on my face is all I have time for. Make-up isn’t my thing anyway. Ripping open the letter from Joel, I read a whole bunch of legal gobbledegook. My shoulders slump. I’m not sure if it’s because this lawyer’s on Joel’s side, but it sounds as though I will have to pay. He must have planned it so he’d always have a way to get the money