Chapter 6 - THE BOOKSTORE ON WILLOW STREET
Emma was shelving children's books when the bell above the door rang.
“Welcome to Willow & Ink,” she called.
Then she turned.
And the world stopped.
Daniel Kincaid stood in the doorway.
Four years older.
A little more silver at his temples.
The same dark eyes.
The same controlled expression.
Except now he looked as though he'd been struck.
“Emma.”
She dropped the book.
It hit the floor.
Neither moved.
Daniel looked around the store.
Then back at her.
“Hello.”
Emma swallowed.
“Daniel.”
His eyes searched her face.
For a moment, he looked exactly as he had the night she'd left.
Hurt.
Confused.
Afraid.
Emma stepped behind the counter.
“What are you doing here?”
Daniel took a breath.
“I came to see you.”
She looked toward the children's corner.
Lily was at preschool.
Thank God.
Emma swallowed.
“Why?”
Daniel reached into his coat.
He removed his phone.
Opened a photograph.
And turned the screen toward her.
Lily.
Emma's heart stopped.
Daniel's voice trembled.
“Who is she?”
Emma closed her eyes.
“Daniel—”
“Please.”
His voice broke.
“Just tell me.”
Emma looked at the photograph.
Then whispered:
“Her name is Lily.”
Daniel swallowed.
“How old is she?”
Emma's eyes filled.
“Three years and nine months.”
He closed his eyes.
Then asked the question she'd feared for four years.
“Is she my daughter?”
Emma began crying.
“Yes.”
Daniel stepped backward.
As though the word had physically struck him.
He stared at her.
Then at the photograph.
Then back at her.
“Emma.”
His voice broke.
“Why?”
She covered her mouth.
“I was scared.”
Daniel laughed once.
A terrible sound.
“Scared?”
He looked away.
“I missed her birth.”
Emma cried harder.
“Daniel—”
“Her first word.”
He swallowed.
“Her first steps.”
Tears slipped down his cheeks.
“Three birthdays.”
Emma closed her eyes.
“I know.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You knew where I was.”
She nodded.
“You knew I wanted children.”
She began sobbing.
“Yes.”
He stepped closer.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
Emma looked at him.
And finally said the truth.
“Because every day I waited made me more afraid of what you'd say when you found out.”
Daniel stood motionless.
Then he looked toward the children's corner.
A tiny pink jacket hung on a hook.
A pair of yellow rain boots sat beneath it.
He stared at them.
Then whispered:
“I have a daughter.”
Emma nodded.
“Yes.”
May you like
Daniel covered his face.
And cried.
