Page 44 of Harmless Secrets

As she ran toward them, her hair flew behind her. Innocent abandonment. Not matter how irritated he was with Ali not telling him about Bridget, he knew she had done an excellent job on raising their daughter. Even after everything they had been through in the last couple of days, Bridget looked fearless.

She launched herself at Ali, who caught her without blinking an eye. He’d watched Dee learn the ins and outs of parenthood and knew it was an acquired skill. Especially without a full cup of coffee.

“Of course, I’m right here.” She set the girl on her feet then smiled. “Did you have good dreams?”

“Yes. Lots.” She looked at Devon. “Good morning.”

He nodded and tried to think of something to say. It was all still too new to him. In the end, he did nothing more than smile.

“Did you use the potty?” Ali asked.

“Yes.”

“Hungry?”

“Yes!” Then she turned and ran into the house. Devon looked at Ali, who shook her head.

“Is she always like this in the morning?” Devon asked.

“Yes. Even when she was a baby. She was always an early riser. And a happy one. It was very hard to deal with.”

He chuckled as he stood and followed Ali into the house in search of their daughter.

Their daughter.

He still didn’t know what to say about that. Or feel. She’d kept his daughter from him, but there had been extenuating circumstances.

“Do you think Mr. Stryker has waffles?”

“I’m not sure, because I asked him to get us oatmeal.”

Bridget frowned. “I really want waffles.”

Ali laughed again. “Okay, but I am not sure he has them, so you have to ask him. Nicely.”

Bridget looked around her mother and smiled at him. Two little dimples winked at him. She was such a delightful mixture of both their features. Her joyous spirit reminded him of Dee. And she was his.

The air backed up in his lungs as his head spun.

“Devon,” Ali said, turning to face him. She was frowning. “Are you okay?”

He nodded, but the room started to revolve. She walked over to him and touched his arm.

“I’m sorry. I don’t need waffles,” Bridget said; rushing forward, worry darkening her blue eyes.

He shook his head. “You can have waffles. I keep some frozen ones for when Alana spends the night. They’re in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator.”

Bridget smiled.

He looked at Ali, who had an understanding expression on her face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Devon nodded. Then sat at the breakfast bar. Ali looked at him for a moment longer, but Bridget demanded attention and she turned to help her daughter. They giggled and chatted. Devon sat there, with the morning sun streaming into the kitchen, and enjoyed the view of his child and her mother interacting.

Alicia watched Devon as he and Bridget sat together eating breakfast. She knew he had been stunned by something before, but she didn’t have the heart to grill him. The bare emotion she had witnessed told her all she needed to know. Devon wasn’t a threat, never had been. And she had kept his daughter from him.

“Mummy, is there something wrong?” Bridget asked.

Devon turned to look at her. Dammit. The love of her life was just too perceptive for a four-year-old. Considering her parents, it wasn’t something that should have surprised her, but it didn’t make it any easier to deal with.