I stayed back and watched the reunion. And as I watched...

I knew.

Bryce finally came inside, a little girl held tightly under each arm. “Have these girls been good?”

“These girls are the absolute best.”

“Their aunt’s pretty wonderful, I think.” He smiled. “I can’t find the words to thank you for all you’ve done.”

I knew goodbye when I heard it. “Girls, can you take Biz out for a short walk so I can talk to your dad?”

As expected, the request was met with groans, but eventually Bismarck was on his leash and they headed out the front door.

“Just for a few minutes!” Holly glared at me.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

She closed the door with a bang.

“She’s a character.” Bryce looked exhausted. I could see lines of fatigue that had never been there before. His dark eyes seemed to take in everything and nothing. I could relate.

“They are so excited,” I said.

“We’ll have a whole week together. I can’t wait.”

“You’re still bringing them back?”

“You’re still willing to stay here with them until school’s over?”

“And later, Bryce. I’ll keep them till they’re grown. I adore them.”

His expression softened. “I’ve been reassigned, Ryan.”

I had assumed his security clearance would be at risk. I felt a sharp stab of sympathy. “Because of Wendy?”

“That was a factor, but I asked for this. I’ve been reassigned to Naval Support in Orlando. I’ll be on land most of the time, but I asked to get as close to you and your parents as I could. I’m surprised it all worked out, but it did. I was lucky.”

“You didn’t have to do that—”

“Of course I did. Did you really believe I loved my job more than I loved my daughters? Holly and Noelle need me now in a way they never did before.” His expression darkened. “Obviously that’s not true. They needed me in the worst way, and I left them with a murderer.”

“Don’t blame yourself. None of us knew.”

“I ignored every warning bell. Every day I ask myself if I’d just been more focused on them and less on my position, would I have seen the truth?”

“You loved their mother. We never see the people we love clearly.”

“I promise you and your parents can see the girls as often as you want. You can drive up and stay with us when you have time. We won’t be that far, and I’ll still need to travel. You’ll be the first I ask to babysit, and, of course, they can come here to see you on school holidays. But I’ll hire a live-in housekeeper to stay with them when that’s not possible. And I’ll make sure I’m free to spend every second I can with them.”

I tried to absorb the blow, although I’d known it was probably coming. I met his gaze and the truth was clear, although I hadn’t wanted to see it. Bryce Wainwright would not be single for long. He was exactly the kind of man women dreamed of having in their lives. And when he remarried, he would choose a good woman who loved children, most especially his.