AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And then he walked away.
Katie gaped at his retreating form. After all that, and that was all he had to say? She huffed and swiveled toward where Ayla was.
The next morning, as Katie and Ayla sat to eat breakfast, Axur walked in and took a seat with them at the table. Katie blinked in surprise, and Ayla grinned.
“Are you going to eat with us, Uncle?”
He nodded. “I thought it would be good to get to …talkwith you.”
Katie had to clench her jaw to keep it from dropping. Was it possible that he’d really listened to her yesterday?
“I’ll get you a plate,” Katie said slowly, almost as if she moved too fast that she might break the strange scene before her.
The general waved a hand at her. “Don’t bother, I can’t stay long.”
“Oh.” She sat back awkwardly.Well, it’s better than nothing.
Axur turned his attention to his niece. “Ayla, how do you like to spend your days?”
The girl perked up. “I like playing with toys and making fun crafts. Oh! And I love reading books.”
She hesitated for a moment before continuing quietly. “I really like reading books about adventures and mysteries.”
“I see,” he said neutrally. “Books are very nice.”
Then he turned to Katie. “May I speak with you for a moment?”
Caught off guard again, Katie nodded and followed him out of the dining room.
“Something wrong, General?”
“Why did she seem so hesitant about telling me what kind of books she likes?” His gaze was still trained on the dining room.
“Because she didn’t want to insult the poor book collection you left her to read,” Katie said flatly.
Now his attention was on her, one perfect brow raised.
She sighed. “None of those books are things a kid would like. Kids like things that are fun and let them use their imaginations. The same could be said for toys. Making your own is fun for a little while, but getting a real one says you care.”
His jaw tightened. “That’s just it. I can’t allow myself to do that. She’s here temporarily. Caring isn’t a part of it.”
Katie narrowed her eyes. “While she’s living under your roof, oh, yes, it is.”
She turned away from him and marched back into the dining room. She realized she really did need to stay for the duration. If he was going to be hung up on not being able to care for Ayla, she needed someone who did. Katie could be there for her.
Maybe, just maybe, she could get Axur to care for the girl too. Give her a real family. But with that man, it felt like a stretch.
After that, she got creative with how she kept Ayla entertained. Making sock puppets, playing makeshift dolls again, playing hide and seek. Anything to keep her entertained and create a space where she could be a child.
Axur was out later than usual and, once again, didn’t bother to come say goodnight to Ayla. Katie didn’t go after him this time. She’d run herself thin by scolding him every time he showed how inept he truly was.
However, the next morning, Axur awaited them at the breakfast table. This time, though, Katie wasn’t surprised by the man standing before her, but the gifts on the table.
Ayla gasped. “Presents!”
She started to run to the table but stopped and gave her uncle a questioning look. He nodded.
“Your nanny reassured me these would help you fill your days,” he said, trying to make himself smile.
