Page 146 of Time To Learn

“I don’t want you to leave,” she cries softly as a tear rolls down her cheek.

A flicker of hope lights up my insides as she looks down atme.

“Really?”

She nods slowly.

“My dad was a bad man,” she goes on to say, taking me completely by surprise.

“I know he was.” I look away and my eyes land on Laura as she makes Thunder glide to a stop in the middle of the paddock. “I’m so sorry, girlie.”

“Do you know he’sdead?”

My eyes shoot up to Ailith and, wondering where she’s going with this, I frown ather.

“Yes.”

Solemnly, she squeezes myhand.

“Has Mummy told you abouthim?”

“No,” I answer quickly. “Well, bits and pieces,” I amend, “but that’s it. And that’s her story to tell, girlie. I’m a patient man—I don’t mind waiting until she’s ready to tell me abouthim.”

“But…”

“I mean it, Ailith,” I interrupt her. “Please don’t worry aboutit.”

“I’m scared you’ll leave us once she tells you,” she cries softly.

Hearing the anguish in her voice nearly breaks my heart.

“Come here,” I say softly and release her hand before raising both my arms up to her. Slowly, she lifts her legs, turns her body around to face me, and as she places her hands on my shoulders, I lift her down. But I don’t let her go. Instead, I make sure I have a good hold on her and look squarely into hereyes.

I need her to understand how important she is to me, but how? Taking a deep breath, I don’t even blink as I open up my heart to this sweet, little girl who’s already experienced things she shouldn’t have ever hadto.

“Whatever happens,” I start, my voice fierce with compassion, “I won’t leave you. For as long as you want me in your life, I’ll be here foryou.”

I don’t know what to say or do to wipe the scepticism from her eyes. All I can do is try to tell her with my words that I truly mean what I say—and maybe, in time, she’ll stop worrying about me leaving.

“Do you promise?”

“Yes, and I don’t break my promises. Just ask your mum that, and she’ll tell you it’s the truth.”

She lets out a shaky breath and wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a quick hug before she leans away from me. I smile softly at her, and when she lets out a beaming smile, I finally know I’ve got through to her. That she believesme.

“Ailith, are youokay?”

The worry in Laura’s voice makes me turn around so that she can see us. So engrossed in my conversation with Ailith, I haven’t even heard her come closer. She’s leading Thunder by his reins, and I place Ailith down on the ground. As she immediately takes my hand, I squint ather.

“Wipe your eyes, girlie,” I say in a voice only meant for her ears. “There isn’t room for tears anymore, unless they’re tears of joy. I’ll make sure ofit.”

She smiles slowly up at me, and I feel relieved to see the light is back in hereyes.

“Deal?” Igrin.

“Deal.”

“Sweetie, what’s the matter?” Laura says as she stops on the other side of the fence.