Chapter 3

Before I could finish, Rafe seemed to remember something.

"By the way, where's that little wolf plush I had made for Jasper? The one in his room."

I stared at him.

"Why?"

"Is it in the study? Kai's been having trouble sleeping. I thought it might help him settle down. I'll take it over for a few days."

He didn't wait for my answer.

Rafe went straight to the study, found the little wolf cub on the shelf, and picked it up.

It wasn't something I could simply replace.

For Jasper's first birthday, Rafe had commissioned a well-known handmade toy studio to make it.

It was a one-of-a-kind piece, sewn by hand, with Jasper's initials embroidered inside one ear.

Jasper had slept with it every night since he was a baby.

He carried it around whenever he felt nervous and clung to it when something upset him. Whenever he had a nightmare, it was the first thing he reached for.

Rafe knew all of that.

Or at least, he used to.

"Rafe, wait!" I called after him.

But he already had his keys in hand.

"I'll bring it back," he said. "Kai just needs something to comfort him for a little while."

Then he walked out.

The front door clicked shut.

I stood there, staring at the empty doorway.

I waited until his footsteps faded before finishing what I'd wanted to tell him.

"Actually, Jasper and I don't need you anymore."

There were only two days left.

By midnight, I'd finally finished packing. Exhausted, I sat on the edge of the bed and checked my phone.

A message from Rafe was waiting.

[Kai loves the wolf toy. Marigold asked me to thank you.]

I stared at the screen.

It was midnight, and my husband was still thanking me on another woman's behalf.

I wasn't angry. I wasn't even surprised.

I replied: [You're welcome. But I didn't give it to her.]

Then I sent another message.

[That's Jasper's comfort toy. He needs it to sleep. Without it, he has nightmares.]

I put my phone down and went to check on Jasper.

He was asleep, but his brow was furrowed. His hands were curled near his chest, as if he were searching for something.

The wolf cub was gone.

I sat beside him and gently smoothed his hair.

After a while, I lay down next to him. He shifted closer in his sleep, and I stayed beside him until I drifted off.

I didn't care what Rafe would think when he read my messages.

At eight the next morning, the front door opened.

Rafe came in earlier than usual. He took off his coat, then stopped when he saw the suitcases lined up in the living room.

"Are you packing for a vacation? Why do you need all this?"

Without waiting for an answer, he walked into the bedroom, sounding increasingly concerned.

I was helping Jasper put on his new leather boots.

"We're going a long way," I said.

Rafe immediately looked at Jasper.

Jasper gave a small nod.

That seemed to reassure him. Rafe set down his coat and pulled three amusement park tickets from his pocket.

"Remember how you said I never take Jasper anywhere?" he asked. "I bought tickets for today. All three of us can go together."

He laid them out in front of us, looking pleased with himself.

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him.

It had taken him almost a month to remember he'd promised to spend time with his son.

Then I remembered the messages he'd sent the night before. He'd been trying to reach me ever since.

So this was his peace offering.

I said nothing and bent down to finish tying Jasper's boots.

Jasper, however, was staring at the tickets. His eyes lit up.

"Mom, can we go? Please?"

I looked at his hopeful face. Before I could answer, Rafe cleared his throat.

"There's just one thing we need to work out."

Jasper looked at him.

"I've picked Kai up from daycare a few times," Rafe said. "The teachers and other parents have started thinking I'm his father. It might look awkward if they saw us taking a family picture together right now."

He paused, looking uncomfortable.

"So maybe we should put the family portrait off for a while. Just until things settle down."

I stopped tying Jasper's shoelaces.

Rafe had once told me he didn't want Jasper growing up expecting special treatment just because he was a Hawthorne.

That was why he'd refused to pick him up from daycare, even when I'd asked.

But he'd gone to Kai's daycare several times.

And now he was asking his own son to stay out of sight so he wouldn't have to explain himself.

Jasper's excitement vanished.

"Oh." He lowered his head, his eyes filling with tears.

Rafe didn't seem to notice.

"It's just something Marigold asked me to do," he said. "I don't think it's a big deal. We can take the picture another day, right, Jasper?"

He had no idea Jasper and I were supposed to leave tomorrow.

This was his last chance to show his son that he mattered.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then I answered, "Fine."

Jasper's voice was barely audible. "Okay."

Rafe let out a breath, clearly relieved.

"Good. I'll let Marigold know. I'll see you two at the amusement park at three."

He picked up his coat and headed for the door. Just before leaving, he turned back with a smile.

"My beautiful wife, my wonderful son. You two are the best."

Neither of us replied.

As soon as the door shut, Jasper climbed off the bed and went to the closet. He pulled out the small backpack he'd packed himself and hugged it to his chest.

"Mom?"

I turned toward him.

"I don't want to see Mr. Hawthorne anymore."

His voice shook, but he didn't look away.

"Can we leave before tomorrow?"