“She’s four.”
He shifted her comfortably against his side.
“Nobody is going to collapse because a child touched the patio.”
I almost smiled.
Then Sophie stopped moving.
Her eyes locked on something near his ear.
She leaned closer.
Marcus noticed.
His smile faded.
“Sweetheart?”
Sophie’s hand lifted slowly.
“Mommy…”
I stepped nearer.
“What is it?”
She pointed.
“Daddy.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“Daddy’s there.”
Her voice became urgent.
“Look!”
Marcus immediately put her down.
Too fast.
She almost lost her balance.
That alone made me look at him.
His face had drained of color.
Sophie pointed again.
“Mommy, Daddy’s there! You have to save him!”
Several guests had begun listening.
My cheeks burned.
I dropped to Sophie’s level.
“Baby, Daddy isn’t here.”
“He is!”
I pulled her close.
Then looked at Marcus.
“I’m sorry.”
He didn’t answer right away.
“She misses Daniel.”
