rea

aw firm of Davis, Finch, & A

us mouth, pushed a thick stack of papers ac

The terms are...unconventional. You're waiving your claim to all shared propert

. The black ink was star

anika's arm flashed before my eyes. The thought-Bonnie would be happier with him-was l

eated, and this time

for a child who already saw me

the heavy

provided, I s

ea A

ed that name in my hea

nodded grimly, placing them inside a simple ma

ner, I took the envelo

a. The house was empty. They were probably s

ht to the kitchen, where Mrs. S

see me with a suitcase and a

ow you'd be stopping by.

t. "I have an important document that needs to reach Braxton. When he

ut the e

ook it carefully. "Of course, ma'am. I'll make s

I appreciate everythin

e back to the front door, stepped out into the a

ton

ome with Bonnie and Danika in tow

he foyer, an envelope hel

Mrs. Ayers stopped by earlier. She lef

rning it over in my hands. Andrea had been here? I

to open it when

it up with D

voice softening.

ft concern and gentle urgency. "I think Bonnie might have

he envelope vanis

aid, my voice sharp

hall console table and strode u

m an afternoon of excitement, not from a fever. Danika was

"I'm sorry. I must have overreacte

a wave of gratitude. I appreciated

my voice warm. "Thank yo

t lasted for three hours. By the time it was over, dinner was ready, a