“They did,” Becca replied, quickly changing the subject. “Where’s Mama?” she asked.

“She felt one of her migraines coming on so I sent her home. Ash and I’ve been having a nice chat,” he said with a smile. Becca did her best to hide her relief. She didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to deal with her mother. “Rebecca, what’s going on. Are you okay?” Rafi said.

“Not really. I.…” She trailed off.

“Would rather not talk about it?”

She gave him a curt nod. Rafi always knew how to read a situation, though she hated how much he kept bottled up inside. The only time he ever opened up about losing Robbie was the night before Becca’s wedding. After the rehearsal dinner, Christian took his parents and her mother to the hotel, while Becca and Rafi decided to have some father-daughter bonding time. The Cuba libres and Rafi’s emotions over his little girl getting married got the best of him, and he admitted Robbie’s breakdown was the greatest failure of his life. Staring down at Ash, Becca felt his pain now in a way she never could before. She placed a gentle kiss on Ash’s forehead, her skin warm to the touch. “She looks better, doesn’t she?” Becca asked.

“She looks so much better,” Rafi said. “Dr. Osterman came by and said Ash is doing great. A real fighter,” Rafi said.

“She is, isn’t she?” Becca said proudly.

“You look so tired, mija. I’m worried about you,” he said.

Join the club. She didn’t say that, forcing a smile instead. “Papa, I’ll be okay. You know how strong I am,” she said, wanting it to be true.

“That’s what worries me. Sometimes the strongest people break the worst. I know you love Ash, and that love is a beautiful thing, but if it destroys you, what’s it really worth?”

“Everything. That’s what it’s worth, Papa. Everything and then some.”

There was a moment of silence and then he nodded. He understood that better than anyone. “You know I don’t mind staying. Your mother hasn’t stopped cooking since Ash disappeared. She’ll heat you up something and you can take a nap. I won’t leave Ash’s side, and if anything changes, I’ll call you.”

His offer was so tempting. Becca was exhausted and the only things she’d had to eat in the last day were a few bites of soup and way too much coffee. The downside was having to see her mother. They hadn’t spoken since the other night at the hospital, and Becca knew her mother well enough to know that she wasn’t going to let their conversation go.

“Thanks, Papa, but I want to spend time with my girl.”