Page 92 of The Addendum

“I’m taking her and Kylie away on an extended trip.”

“To where?”

“To wherever you are not,” he said bluntly. “She is my priority. If she doesn’t have to see you every day, she can move past this. I will do whatever I have to in order to protect her and my children.”

“Don’t take her and Kylie from Katy,” I said. “I’ll go back to BC. Or fly to Penny early.”

He shook his head. “You heard me. Your daughter is eating herself up with guilt over your fight. She’s upset and scared.” He slammed his hand on the table. “It’s been days, Richard. Days. I’ve never seen her like this. And I can’t fix this. Only you can. Now, you go and talk to her. Help her, Richard.” He suddenly bowed his head with a long sigh. When he lifted his head, he met my eyes, his voice sad and calm. “She needs you. And I need her back.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, Jaxson. I had no idea about Ashley.”

“I believe you.”

“Why is Gracie so angry?”

“You have to ask her, Richard.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Go and talk to your daughter.”

“Where is she?”

“Sitting on the rocks in the cove, I think. She’s been there a lot.”

That was a place Gracie had always gone to when she wanted to be alone and think.

“Okay.”

I headed to the door, pausing at Jaxson’s voice.

“I mean it, Richard. Fix this, or we’re gone. I have to protect her.”

I nodded, knowing he was right, grateful he loved her enough to do something so drastic, and hating him because he would step in and take her away in order to help her.

I couldn’t allow that to happen.

27

RICHARD

Gracie was at the cove, sitting on her preferred rock. Tossed there by a storm, it was lodged against another rock, forming a large L-shape. Time, water, and sand had leveled the surface, eroding the sharp edges—a chair designed by nature. Gracie rested her back against the smooth rock, her legs crossed at the ankles. She looked peaceful with her eyes closed, but her foot jerked rhythmically, and her hands clenched the material of her skirt.

I picked my way over the rocks, heading her way. She opened her eyes at the sound of my approach, her gaze wary.

I stopped beside her, lowering myself to the edge of the rock.

“Hi, Gracie-girl.”

Her lips began to tremble. “Hi.”

“You’re still mad at me.”

She didn’t say anything, but the tremble grew harder.

“You need to talk to me, Gracie. Your hulk of a husband is in my house, threatening to take you and Kylie away unless I fix this.” I reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“But unless you explain this anger to me and tell me what to do, I can’t fix this.” I sucked in a deep breath. “And your silence is killing me, baby girl.”

She blinked, her eyes wide and glossy.

“You’re my heart, Gracie. Your birth changed me as much as your mother’s love did. I can’t fathom your anger or bear it much longer.”