Mr. Smithfield - Louise Bay Page 0,67

the park. Everything was different. But Penelope left Bethany before she could walk. Before she could talk or blow a kiss. She’d never get any of that back.

It wasn’t anger for Bethany that I felt. She had a father who loved her, and Gabriel’s inner circle had adored Bethany since the day she was born. Instead, pure sadness rushed through my heart like a swollen river after rainfall. I was sad Penelope had missed so much of Bethany’s life. She had to live with that decision forever—had to come to terms with the fact that she’d never know her daughter in the way a parent should.

“He’s going to sleep now. That way he’ll get better,” Bethany announced as she stood and pulled a cushion from the couch. “Please get a blanket from over there,” she asked Penelope. Bethany wasn’t a shy child, but she was very accepting of Penelope and I wondered if there was a bond between them from before. Maybe Bethany saw herself when she looked at Penelope. Maybe it was a pheromone Penelope gave off, or just something Bethany found familiar about her. Whatever it was, Bethany was comfortable with Penelope.

And that was good, wasn’t it?

I wasn’t sure Gabriel would think so.

Penelope and Bethany played for the rest of the hour as if they were old friends. I didn’t interfere. Jade didn’t say anything, other than to ask me a couple of questions about how long I’d worked for Gabriel.

“I think our time is up,” Jade said as she stood.

A sheet of disappointment crossed Penelope’s face, but she kissed Bear Bear on his hurt leg and stood. “Get better, Bear Bear.”

“He’ll be okay,” Bethany said, reassuring Penelope. God, that kid made my heart melt.

“Thank you for playing with me, Bethany,” Penelope said.

“We’ve got lunch to make,” I said, hoping Bethany wouldn’t think it was weird that these two women had turned up, played with her, and then left.

“Can I have happy cow cheese?” she asked, referring to her favorite snack and completely unfazed by the two women leaving. She was oblivious to the tears I could see Penelope holding back.

“We can make that happen,” I said. “Let’s say goodbye to Penelope and Jade.”

We moved out into the hallway and opened the door, Bethany clutching a bandaged Bear Bear. “Bye-bye,” Bethany said, moving her bear’s arm so he was waving.

“Bye-bye, Bear Bear. Bye-bye, Bethany,” Jade said.

“Bye-bye—” Penelope’s voice cracked, and she covered her mouth with her hand. Jade guided her out and I shut the door.

“Cheese, please, Louise,” Bethany sang.

I smiled as she slipped her hand into mine and half skipped, half hopped as we headed to the kitchen. “What about an omelet with a triangle of happy cow on the side?”

“Yum,” she said.

The most important thing in all of this was that Bethany was happy. Despite my concerns, seeing Penelope hadn’t upset her. Penelope hadn’t pushed too hard, hadn’t broken any of the agreed-upon rules. It had been a good reintroduction for both of them. It would be the start of a road back to a relationship. When Bethany was older, she’d barely remember her mother ever not being in her life. Gabriel might not want to admit it to himself, but Penelope being back was almost certainly what was best for Bethany. I just couldn’t figure out where that left me.

Twenty-Nine

Gabriel

After the rough morning, I’d needed the afternoon with my daughter. And the night with Autumn. I slid my arms around her waist as she stood at the kitchen island.

There had been no point being at work. I’d done nothing productive in the office. I’d just watched the clock until it hit midday. After I texted Autumn to make sure Penelope had left on time, I’d raced back home.

The three of us played tea party, painted pictures of rainbows, and plaited Autumn’s hair. And I’d done my best not to think about how Penelope had been in the house just hours before.

“She’s zonked,” I said, and kissed Autumn’s neck.

“It’s been a big day,” Autumn replied.

I knew I should ask how it went but I wanted to forget about it. To pretend it hadn’t happened.

“I think it went well,” Autumn said as she turned in my arms. “Penelope was very respectful. And Bethany didn’t question anything. Just one time she asked Penelope if she was my friend, and Penelope just said she’d like to be Bethany’s friend.”

I wasn’t sure if Autumn was telling me this because she thought I’d want to know or if she thought she