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“Fate is cruel, but it can also be courageous, and a gift beyond any other,” Daniel said.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel’s eyes roamed over Riley’s face. “The year before you entered our lives, Cami was told she could never bear children. We thought that was the worst thing that could happen. We were wrong.”
“That’s when Allie died?”
Daniel raised his frail arm so he could run a finger along her cheek. “We never expected you. We had been denied by over a dozen adoption agencies. Your mother was still working on her citizenship, and I was still struggling with depression and PTSD.”
“I don’t understand. Is that when mom got pregnant?” Riley asked.
Daniel smiled. “My precious girl. I had to protect you. I promised Cami, and you are all I had left. The church was more than your school. It was your salvation.”
Ice formed in her veins. Her father had been the most open, loving man she’d ever met. The idea that he had kept something from her, even if it was to protect her, was heartbreaking. Still, she couldn’t be sure if it was real or the dementia. “What were you protecting me from?”
“I love you, Riley. Just as much now is the day I first laid eyes on you.”
“When was that?” Riley asked.
“The day you were born. The day Allie died. We experience the ultimate heartbreak and were given the ultimate heaven.” Daniel’s eyes drooped.
“Dad, was I adopted?” she asked.
“I know what you are. I know what she was. You will always be my everything.” His breathing changed to a deeper rasp, signifying he was asleep.
Riley stood, looking down at her father. “Why do I feel like my life is a lie?”
Colton moved to the side of the bed, placing his arm around Riley’s waist. “Your dad is ill. While he appeared lucid, it’s possible for him to get his facts misconstrued. Do you remember your mother telling you anything, when you were a child? Anything about Allie or her attack?”
“She told me her best friend died before I was born. I didn’t think it was Allie, but I was young. I could be wrong. Dad used to have a shoebox with old pictures in it. They were from his military days, but I’m sure there was one of mom and another girl when they were in their teens.”
“Do you know where those pictures are now?” Colton asked.
Riley nibbled her lip. “I haven’t seen them in years, but dad wouldn’t throw things like that away. I think he still has a desk at the church, and we have a storage facility from when we downsized. There are dozens of storage boxes in there.”
“We will check both,” Colton said.
“Why is the picture of Allie so important?”
Colton’s eyes flickered. “I was bending the shadows when your father spotted me. It could be his medical condition that alters the shroud we use to blur our presence from humans.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why do I think there’s an ‘OR’ coming?”
“It’s also possible that your father was exposed to our world. If that was the case he shouldn’t have survived this long.”
She replayed her conversation with her father in her mind. “He turned to the church after my mother’s death, but how would that stop a shadow?”
“That’s interesting. I will need to ask Ferguson. We know reapers avoid sacred ground, but Ferguson does not appear to suffer from that affliction.”
“He’s different from the other reaper I met,” she said.
“Breck is an asshole. I’m not surprise he led the defection.”
Daniel turned to his side, attempting to get comfortable in his bed. He opened his eyes, focused on Riley. “Honey, go help your mother with dinner. Let daddy rest. I worked hard today.”
His eyes closed as Riley covered her eyes with her hands. Red tears streamed between her fingers.
CHAPTER22
