Daniel’s heart broke a little more. He had changed this boy’s diapers, stayed up nights with him. He had played with him, given him his first soccer ball, and here he was, ten years old, offering to shake his hand as if he were a stranger. What had he done, staying away for so long? Not that he hadn’t seen his sister and his parents. It was Charlie he avoided.

Daniel’s hand shook even as he offered it to Charlie. Considering the furtive glances from his sister, and the continued quizzical look on Annika’s face, he wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his anxiety. “We’ve met before.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”

“Well, it’s been a while, and I’ve been away.” Daniel forced out the words as he studied his nephew. “The last time I saw you, you were five. And only about this big.” He held his hand low to the ground. “Not nearly the grown-up boy I see here.” Tears pricked at his eyes, but he forced them back. “I hear you’re a pretty good soccer player. Maybe we could catch a game?”

Charlie’s eyes lit up. “That would be awesome!”

Daniel grinned, finally feeling the warmth of the sun. “It’s a date. I’ll get us tickets.” Annika placed a hand on his shoulder, offering support, though she couldn’t even know why. He relaxed under her touch.

“Can I go, Mom? Huh? Can I?” Charlie nearly bounced with excitement.

“Of course. Now go see to your friends. Cake in ten minutes.”

Charlie started to run off, but he turned back after a few steps. “You’re not leaving soon, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ANNIKA

DANIEL’S MOTHER WAS an older version of Emma, her skin slightly browner, with eyes to match. She embraced her son a bit too long, making Annika wonder if Daniel had been avoiding more than just Charlie.

Daniel’s father, a tall man with a full head of graying hair and the same green eyes as his children, stayed back a bit, his eyes narrowed at his son.

Daniel stepped back from his mother, finally fixing his gaze on his father. When Daniel had looked at his mother, his eyes were the green of a meadow, promising everything light and wonderful. The green he rested on his father, however, was reminiscent of a murky body of water. The older man pressed his lips together.

Daniel extended his hand. “Dad.”

A small storm brewed in the older man’s eyes, and he waited a beat before shaking Daniel’s hand. “Son. About time you came to see your mother.”

His mother placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “Ned—”

“Mom, I’m fine.” Daniel turned to his father, his lips mashed together as if keeping in words that were better off not being said. “I’m here now.”