“I’m Sofia.” The girl bounced over to the chair. “Is this your baby?”
“Sofia,” Darius growled. “Mind your manners. This is Miss Rosetti. Olivia, this is my daughter.”
“What a lovely surprise. It’s nice to meet you, Sofia.” Olivia’s eyes twinkled. “This is Abigail. But no, she’s not my baby. I’m looking after her right now because her mother is sick.”
Sofia peered at Olivia. “Are you sick too?” she asked, pointing to the white gauze on Olivia’s head.
“No. I just hurt my head. That’s all.”
“Did you cry?”
Olivia’s lips twitched. “I did. A little.”
“That’s all right.” Sofia patted her arm. “I cry when I fall down too.”
Laughing, Olivia rose with the baby in her arms. “I have to give this little one a bottle. If your daddy says it’s all right, would you like to help me?”
Sofia’s brown eyes lit up. “Can I, Daddy?”
Darius glanced at Olivia, who winked at him. His pulse shot up like mercury in a thermometer, then he reminded himself that the gesture was for Sofia’s benefit, not his. “As long as you do exactly what Miss Rosetti says.”
Sofia clapped her hands, her dark ringlets bouncing.
“Maybe you could help your daddy hold the baby while I prepare the bottle.” Olivia gave him a questioning look.
“I think we’d like that.” He took a seat on the sofa, and Olivia handed him the bundle. Sofia jumped up beside him. “Be careful,” he said. “Babies can get hurt easily.”
“Like puppies?”
Darius chuckled. They’d had the same discussion when their neighbor’s dog had had puppies and she’d wanted to hold one.
“That’s right. Remember how you had to hold the puppy very gently? That’s how you have to treat a baby too.”
Sofia nodded, her features solemn. “I can do that.”
Olivia smiled at her. “You’re doing wonderfully, Sofia. I’ll be right back.”
Half an hour later, when Abigail had been fed and diapered, Olivia laid her in the bassinet. Olivia had been so good with Sofia, allowing her to hold the bottle and feel like she was really feeding the baby.
But once Abigail had drifted off to sleep, Darius knew his daughter would soon grow restless and wear out her welcome. The fact that he wanted to stay was another reason he had to leave. “Well, we’d best be off to the park.”
“Thank you for coming to visit.” Olivia bent down in front of Sofia. “I enjoyed your company.”
Sofia reached out to touch Olivia’s cheek. “You’re very pretty. Do you have any children?”
Darius flinched at his daughter’s boldness.
Olivia went very still, then slowly rose. “No, honey. I don’t.”
“You’d make a very good mommy.”
Raw anguish flashed over Olivia’s features, but then she smiled. “Thank you. I hope you have a nice time at the park.”
Darius hesitated. He wanted a moment alone with Olivia before they left. “Sofia, go wait by the front door. I’ll be right there.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
As soon as she left the room, Darius lowered his voice. “I’m sorry for Sofia’s questions.”
“Don’t be. She’s just curious.” Yet a hint of sorrow clouded Olivia’s eyes.
“How is your head today?”
“Still tender, but I’m feeling much better.”
“Did you have any of the symptoms the nurse mentioned?”
“No, Dr. Reed. I’m fine.” Her lips twisted into a teasing smile.
When he narrowed his gaze at her, she sighed. “I’m just a little tired. Otherwise I’d come to the park with you.”
Darius stared into her eyes, which appeared more amber than brown today with the afternoon sun on her face, and found it hard to look away. Finally, he cleared his throat. “How is Mary? Have you heard anything more?”
“She’s about the same. Dr. Henshaw is going to check on her later today and let us know how long she’ll be in the hospital.” Olivia shrugged. “I know this sounds awful, but I hope she stays a few more days. I’m enjoying looking after Abigail.” A delicate blush bloomed in her cheeks.
“You’re doing an excellent job. Just be careful you don’t get too attached.”
Her brow furrowed. “That’s what Ruth has been telling me. But I can’t help it. Abigail stole my heart from the moment you placed her in my arms.”
His gaze fell to Olivia’s full lips, and the urge to kiss her buzzed as strong as an electric current inside him. He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her.
Remember, you just recently broke your engagement to another woman. Keep your priorities straight, Reed.
Olivia leaned closer. “Sofia is precious. You’re doing a wonderful job yourself.”
Her face was so close that his heart started to hammer in his chest.
He leaned forward and—
“Daddy! I’m waiting.”
His breath escaped in a loud exhale. “Coming, sweetheart.”
Saved from temptation by a four-year-old.
Olivia waved good-bye from the front porch, thankful that only a handful of protestors remained across the street. Sofia slipped her hand into her father’s as they exited the gate, looking up at him with evident adoration in her bright eyes. He, in turn, smiled down at the child and tugged one of her curls.
Olivia’s heart gave a slow roll in her chest as the truth became apparent. Not only was she becoming more and more attracted to Darius, she might have just fallen in love with his daughter.
Such a darling girl. How tragic that her mother hadn’t lived to raise her and that Darius had lost his wife so young. The unfairness of life continued to be a concept that eluded Olivia’s logic.
Why, God? Why did a woman who had a devoted husband and daughter have to die, leaving a child motherless? And why did I, who wanted nothing more than to be a mother, have my child taken from me?
“I don’t know if I’ll ever understand,” she whispered. “I suppose that’s why they say God’s ways are above man’s ways.”
Her longing gaze strayed once more to Darius as he walked away, while the harsh memory of her father’s rebuke chased the silly fantasies from her mind.
“Olivia will never marry now, Rosina. No man is going to want
