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Inside stood the tall, dark-haired form of Gwendolen Price. She was a few years older, but Rafe barely noticed. All of his attention was on the young girl on Gwen’s hip.
The girl’s light-brown skin was a perfect mixture of Noah’s dark skin and Gwen’s pale. Her tight, dark curls were divided into two bunches on her head. Her dark brown eyes, which looked so much like her father’s, stared at him as she sucked her thumb.
Gwen cleared her throat, and Rafe forced his gaze away from the child to Gwen. The dragonwoman’s eyes were guarded and her voice tight as she said, “Hello, Hartley.”
While there was so much to say, all Rafe managed to get out was, “Your daughter is beautiful.”
Tightening her grip, Gwen answered, “Thank you.” She looked between Nikki and Rafe. “But I’m curious as to why you’re here.”
Nikki touched his arm, and Rafe drew strength from her love. “First, I want to apologize for being a bastard to you. I had no idea just how much Noah meant to you until you were gone. I never should’ve yelled at you, let alone blame you for his death.”
“I loved him, you know,” Gwen whispered.
Rafe nodded and took a step toward Gwen. “I realized that soon after you returned to Wales.” Pulling out an envelope from his pocket, he held it out to Gwen. “Noah had left a letter to be given to me if he died. Included was a note sealed and addressed to you. I want you to have both of them.”
Gingerly taking the envelope, Gwen didn’t try to open it and read it. He had a feeling she didn’t want to cry in front of strangers, and Noah’s words would definitely bring tears to the dragonwoman’s eyes. Hell, they’d made Rafe tear up.
Instead, he took out Noah’s dog tag. While a little misshapen due to the explosion, Rafe had cleaned it up, smoothed the edges as best he could and put it on a new chain. He turned toward little Cora. “I have a present from your dad, Cora.” He swung the chain, and the little girl watched it. “This is a symbol of your father’s bravery. He died protecting your mum. While he can’t be here, he would want you to have this. It will always remind you of him.”
Cora reached out to touch the engraved metal. “This was my daddy’s?”
“Yes. Do you want to wear it?”
Cora nodded. “It’s like my mum’s. She says hers will protect me. If I have my daddy’s, too, then I should be really safe.”
Gwen’s breath caught in her throat, and Rafe dared a glance. She nodded for him to continue. Focusing back on the little girl, Rafe gently put the chain over Cora’s head. “Now you should be really safe.” He dared to brush Cora’s cheek. “Your dad was my best friend, and you should be proud of him. I’m sure he loved you a lot before you were born.”
Cora stopped playing with the chain around her neck. “Maybe you can be my new daddy.”
Rafe blinked. “What?”
Gwen hushed Cora. “Don’t mind her. She tells every male she likes that he should be her new dad.”
Smiling, Rafe looked back to Cora. “I’m sure your mum will find someone. But I already have my own mate.” Cora looked crestfallen, so Rafe added, “But we’re having our own baby later this year. Maybe you could be friends if your mother allows it.”
Cora looked to her mother. “I don’t have an English dragon friend. That would be fun.”
Gwen smiled, and Rafe straightened up. Gwen replied, “We’ll see, Cora. Mr. Hartley and...”
Nikki jumped in. “Nikki Gray.”
Gwen continued, “Miss Gray will be very busy.”
Nikki moved to Rafe’s side. Threading her fingers through his, she smiled at Gwen. “I’m sure we can find time.”
An awkward silence fell, but Rafe didn’t want to push Gwen too far. Yet after seeing the sadness in the dragonwoman’s eyes and falling for Cora’s charm, he rather hoped their children could be friends. And not just because it might help future relations between the two clans, although that would be a bonus.
Lily Owens spoke up. “Good. Now, if I can just convince Kai to give me a grandchild, we could start a playgroup.” Mrs. Owens smiled at Nikki. “Maybe you could hint at Kai and Jane to get started?”
Nikki laughed. “I don’t think my words will have any effect. That pair could take on the world and win if they wanted.”
Mrs. Owens sighed. “I know.” A smile returned to her face. “But enough of the distant future. You’re to stay with my family for the night before heading back tomorrow. I’ll show you to my quarters if you’re ready.”
Rafe met Gwen’s gaze again. “Once you read the letter, feel free to find me. I know what it’s like to miss someone and want to share memories to keep him alive.”
Mrs. Owens beat Gwen to her reply. “You and Cora should come to dinner.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” Gwen answered.
