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they looked perfect together.
    “God, she’s so small. I’m almost afraid I’m going to break her.” He stared at Annie, awe in his voice, and reached one large finger up to stroke a soft, chubby cheek.
    Emma smiled. “I don’t think we have to worry about that. You were a pain in my butt, but I’ve never known you to be a bully.”
    One corner of his mouth lifted, amusement lighting his eyes when his gaze flicked to her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
    Annie leaned back in his arms and the two of them regarded each other. Dillon smiled. When she laid a chubby hand against his mouth, he opened his lips and pretended to eat her fingers, making, “nom nom nom” sounds, eliciting a hearty giggle. That heart-stopping grin spread across his mouth and awe illuminated his eyes.
    Emma’s heart ached, tears burning behind her eyelids. Father and daughter together at last. A bittersweet moment. After seeing them together, she knew she made the right decision coming here. She wanted Annie with her father, but the thought of losing her broke Emma’s heart in two. She couldn’t imagine not seeing Annie’s smiling face each morning or not rocking her to sleep at night. For the first time in her life, she’d be totally alone.
    Wrapping her arms around her middle, Emma turned to stare at the fireplace along the far wall. The orange and gold flames danced along the small pile of logs. If she were lucky, she’d convince Dillon to share custody. It would mean rearranging her entire life. They’d have to share visitation, and she’d likely have to move back to Hastings, but those were small details. She’d do anything to keep Annie.
    “Where are you staying?”
    Dillon’s quiet voice broke into her reverie and she turned sideways to look at him.
    “With Mrs. Emerson at the bed and breakfast.”
    He turned his gaze from Annie to her. “Janey mentioned you sold the house.”
    Her mother’s house, the one she and Janey grew up in. She nodded. “Yeah, not too long after we left town.”
    “Too many memories?”
    She returned her gaze to the floor. After her mother died, it was painful to be in the house. Mama’s presence was in every corner. To be there without her felt wrong, but that wasn’t why she sold it.
    “I couldn’t afford to make the payments.” She heaved a sigh. “Janey hated me when I sold it. She loved that house.”
    Not that it mattered. After getting her accounting degree, Emma landed a position with a large firm in Helena, the nearest big city. The pay was too good to pass up, but Janey never forgave her for leaving home .
    Dillon turned his gaze to Annie, stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers. For a long moment, he stared at her, looking lost in thought. Then, with a deep breath, he looked at Emma again. “I want the two of you to stay here.”
    “Here? With you?” She darted a glance around, her heart pounding. The implications of his suggestion hit her full force. Stay in this house, with him? Alone? Then she’d have to admit she…
    He grunted in acknowledgement.
    She turned away, her cheeks heating, and vehemently shook her head. “A generous offer, but I can’t do that.”
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t plan on being in town that long. I’ve only got a few days off. I have to be back at work on Wednesday.” Emma crossed her arms and made herself face him again. She prayed that would be enough to dissuade him, but she knew it likely wouldn’t. When Dillon James wanted something, he usually got it.
    He stared at her for a long moment. Then the crease in his brow deepened. Anger blazed from the depth of his penetrating eyes. “So, what, you just thought you’d dump the news on me and take Annie back with you? Why’d you come, Em? What is it you really want? It’s been eight years . You could very easily have kept her and nobody would have been the wiser.” He arched a brow, his voice low and annoyingly calm. “Is it money?”
    She flinched at the blatant accusation