Rest & Trust (32 page)

She indicated an enormous floral arrangement—about two dozen red tulips. Sherlock knew who’d sent them without bothering to check the card.

Sadie had called to tell her father that he was a grandfather. It hadn’t sounded like the man had plans to rush over and meet his grandson anytime soon, and the flowers seemed to put a period on the question.

Sherlock couldn’t stand him. Sadie loved him and made a lot of excuses, or at least rationalizations, for why he was so reserved and aloof. But as far as Sherlock was concerned, the man was nothing but a weak suck who couldn’t deal with life as it was.

The tulips would make her cry; he knew they would. She’d decide that they were as good as a visit, she’d tell herself they were even better than a visit, because he’d sent her such meaningful flowers. And she’d know all the while that she was telling herself a story.

Yeah, Sherlock hated that asshole.

Their own yard full of new tulips, planted by her own hands, was more meaningful and beautiful than this glass vase of flowers that would be dead in three days could ever hope to be.

He was sorely tempted to throw the fuckers away. But he didn’t. He smiled at the nurse and took the vase.

Sadie was sitting up, nursing Noah, when he came in with the flowers.

“Oh!” she exclaimed softly. “Oh, those are from Daddy.”

“Yeah, I think they are. Didn’t check the card.”

“They’re his. He’s the only one besides you who’d know to send me tulips.” As he expected, her eyes got wet, and her face constricted as she fought tears. “They’re beautiful. I knew he wouldn’t do nothing.”

A fucking visit was what he should have done. Sherlock set the vase on the bedside table. All her other flowers were on the windowsill.

He sat on the bed and watched his son feed.

“How’s that going?” He nodded at Noah at her breast. She’d been really worried about being able to feed him.

“It’s so easy! And
awesome
! It feels…well, I don’t know. It feels good. Almost like I’m high. So weird.” She gazed at their son and brushed a finger over his cheek. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

“Yes. You both are.”

What an astounding thing had happened on this day. He had watched his child come into the world—literally seen it happen. He had even helped it happen, giving Sadie the strength she needed. And now, as the day wound to its end, he was watching mother and child fall in love.

She looked up at him. “I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger this morning. I wanted to do better.”

“This morning was the most amazing thing I’ve ever known. Don’t you dare apologize for needing me.”

“I always need you.”

“And I’ll always be here. Trust that. I need, too, little outlaw.” He put his hand on his son’s head. His other hand, he cupped around his girl’s cheek. “What I need is right here, and I’m never letting it go.”

THE END

COMING SOON

Calm & Storm
The Night Horde SoCal Book Six

THE SERIES FINALE

Having long ago lost the life and future he’d once dreamed of, Ronin Drago lives a quiet life alone. The Horde is his only family. As the club is engulfed in a tempest of violence and loss, as fissures develop in the foundation of that family, he encounters Lorraine, the woman who caused him his greatest pain and took his dreams away.

And he still loves her.

~oOo~

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