Chapter 14 - THE LITTLE GIRL'S QUESTION
Posy met Roarke properly on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Adeline had waited until she was certain their relationship was becoming serious.
They met at a public park.
Posy carried a notebook.
Roarke brought a box of colored pencils.
Adeline raised an eyebrow.
"Trying to bribe her?"
Roarke looked offended.
"These are professional-grade pencils."
Posy examined the box.
Then looked up.
"Are you rich?"
Adeline closed her eyes.
"Posy."
Roarke laughed.
"Not as rich as I used to be."
Posy considered.
"Good."
He blinked.
"Good?"
She nodded.
"Rich people are always busy."
Adeline covered her mouth.
Roarke smiled.
"That's a fair criticism."
Posy sat on the bench.
"Can you draw?"
"Badly."
"Then I'll teach you."
For the next hour, the former mafia boss learned how to draw a butterfly.
His first attempt looked like a damaged airplane.
Posy laughed so hard she nearly fell off the bench.
Adeline watched them.
Something warm settled in her chest.
Later, while Posy played nearby, Roarke turned toward her.
"Can I ask you something?"
Adeline nodded.
"Do you ever regret meeting me?"
She considered.
"The night we met was terrifying."
"I know."
"And everything that followed was difficult."
He nodded.
"But?"
She smiled.
"But you helped me see that I deserved a different life."
Roarke looked down.
"You did the hard part."
Adeline nodded.
"Yes."
He smiled.
She continued.
"And you did yours."
They sat quietly.
Then Roarke reached for her hand.
"May I?"
Adeline smiled.
"Yes."
Their fingers intertwined.
Across the park, Posy shouted:
"ADDIE! ROARKE! LOOK!"
She held up her drawing.
Three butterflies.
One large.
One medium.
One small.
Underneath, she'd written:
MY FAMILY.
Adeline's eyes filled.
Roarke looked at the picture.
Then at her.
May you like
Neither spoke.
They didn't need to.
