。
He held her tightly。 〃I've wanted to so many times。 But it never seemed
appropriate。 At the beginning； there was a part of me that wanted…God
forgive me…that wanted to forget her existence while I was up here。
Fatherhood has its merits； but it's been my greatest challenge since
Bey's death。〃
He had a daughter。 Anne could only begin to imagine that； much less the
challenge of going it alone。 〃Maybe I could have helped。〃
〃You've had enough to face without having to cope with a child。〃
〃How old is she？〃
〃She turned six last week。 And she came down with the chicken pox the
day after her birthday。 It's the first time she's been sick…really
sick since her mother died。〃
Anne understood。 〃That's why you were late arriving last weekend？〃
He nodded against her head。 〃My parents have been wonderful； taking her
for weeks at a stretch。 They're often more cheerful than me。〃 He looked
down at her。 〃But I couldn't leave them with a sick child who only
wanted her mother to hold her。〃 His voice broke at the last。
〃Why didn't you bring her up here with you？〃 Anne scolded。
He studied her closely。 〃I wasn't sure how you felt about kids。 We've
never talked about that； you and me。 I only know you have none of your
own。〃
〃Not through choice； Mitch； not through choice。〃
〃But to foist a sick child on you？ How could I do that？〃
Anne spoke from the heart。 〃I would have loved to have met your
daughter。 I'd have loved helping you take care of her。 She's your
daughter。〃 Her voice fell。 〃And I love you。〃
He crushed her in his arms。 The force of it said all that he didn't； but
seconds later he was kissing he