Cole squeezed his eyes closed and sucked a deep breath into his lungs. “Mandy’s desperately looking for someone to love, for another mother. I can’t afford to let you two become too attached to each other, because we both know this is a temporary arrangement at best.” The apology sounded in his voice. “I was trying to figure out how to keep the two women in my life safe and happy. I thought if I just had enough time, if I stalled the inevitable, I’d find the magic answer.”

“I understand, Cole.” Her heart ached for what could have been. All three of them were looking for that elusive thing called love. All three of them were just waiting for the right person to come along, but it never seemed to happen. “Let’s not make her wait a minute longer.”

He looked at her again.

“I’m hurt, Cole. You should have trusted me. But our contract didn’t say anything about getting involved in each other’s personal lives. And I would very much like to meet her.” Darci reached out, resting her fingers on his forearm. “She can stay with us at the condo until we sort out everything that’s happened and decide where we, and this marriage, go from here.”

His lips tilted upward in a grim thank you.

When they entered the quiet hallways of the hospital, Darci sought out Cole’s hand and tangled her fingers with his. As they waited for the elevator, he stared at their intertwined fingers without comment.

Darci knew she was probably giving something away that she’d rather keep secret, but he needed her right now. And her hand was all she had left to offer.

They stepped into a small room and a squeal of delight greeted Cole. “Daddy, you came!”

Breaking free from Darci, Cole strode forward, pulled his daughter into his arms and held her tightly. It was at that moment Darci was certain of something she’d been fighting since Cole walked back into her life. She would willingly stand by this man’s side no matter what the world chose to dish out to test them. The sweet puppy love of her teenage years had grown into a lifetime commitment.

He’d proved himself so many times these past few days, had stood with her and supported her through it all. Suddenly, the final traces of the pain left by Jeffrey’s betrayal, of her mother’s manipulations, were washed away.

With Cole by her side, none of it mattered anymore. With his loyalty to his daughter, Cole had demonstrated his ability to stand by those he loved. And Darci was anxious to meet the little girl, to get to know this small part of Cole who was bouncing happily on the bed.

“Do we get to leave right now?”