That simple kindness caught Eric off guard. He felt a rush of relief. Today seemed to be filled with unexpected blessings.

Hadley circled to the opposite side of the car. “Careful now,” she said as she pulled the door open.

“I’ve got her,” Eric said with a small nod.

One arm kept Joy close; the other shielded her head. He made sure nothing would harm his little princess as he stepped out.

“Does it always get this cold at night?” Eric asked, grimacing as he left the car.

“It’s autumn. The mornings and nights always bring a chill,” Hadley replied.

“Hadley.” Eric shifted his weight and gestured toward the back seat. “Can you hand me my jacket? Let’s keep Joy warm. I don’t want her catching a chill.”

The mention of a chill made Hadley pause. She nearly smiled at the thought. Autumn was here, sure, but would Joy really get sick from a little breeze? Maybe he was just being overprotective.

No argument came from Hadley, though. She simply nodded. “Alright.” She crouched down, reached inside the car, grabbed his jacket, and laid it gently over Joy.

“That’s much better.” A hint of relief crossed Eric’s face as he trailed Hadley through the villa’s doorway.

“Let’s take the jacket off now,” he reminded gently once they were inside. “The temperature’s set just right in the house. We wouldn’t want Joy to get too warm.”

Hadley found herself at a loss for words. Still, she agreed, quietly removing the jacket from Joy’s small frame. A thought slipped through her mind: Eric really was devoted to his daughter.

A faint, sleepy hum came from Joy.

“It’s alright, sweetie,” Eric said, tensing at the sound. “We’re home. You’ll be in your bed soon.”

Find your imagination at galn ovels ; con

Not wasting any time, he carried Joy upstairs, Melba showing the way ahead. Down in the entryway, Hadley lingered, watching them go with a pensive expression.

A question tugged at her. If Joy had been born in Srixby with Eric by her side, would he still have turned out this gentle, this attentive? His love for Joy was obvious—even if he did fuss over the smallest things from time to time.

A sigh slipped from Hadley as she shook her head.

Right then, a phone began to ring. It wasn’t her ringtone.

The sound came from Eric’s suit jacket, still resting over her arm. For a moment, Hadley hesitated, unsure what to do. But soon enough, another thought crossed her mind.

Casting a wary look toward the staircase, she slipped her hand into the jacket pocket and searched around. Her fingers brushed against a familiar medicine bottle, just as she had suspected. Without hesitation, she pulled it free, grabbed her phone, and snapped a picture of the label.

Footsteps echoed from above. Eric was already on his way back down.

Hurriedly, Hadley tucked the bottle back into the pocket, but Eric caught sight of her, confusion written across his face.

.

.

.