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“Walter and I did, too,” Wendell agreed. “Although we were busy with our business ventures at the time, I wish I’d paid more attention to what my brothers were doing. I knew they’d overheard our conversation about finding gold around Chatelaine but never dreamed they’d take the risks they did to make more money.”
“I wish you’d known him the way I do,” Freya said softly, then amended, “The way I did.”
“I get it.” Esme reached across the table, but at the last moment, Freya pulled her hand into her lap. She was generous but a hard nut to crack sometimes.
“Sometimes, it feels like my parents are still with us,” Esme said, drumming her fingers on the cool Formica, “even though they’ve been gone over five years now. Things weren’t the happiest growing up, but I loved them.”
“The ones we love stay close in our hearts,” Wendell agreed, then touched a fingertip to Noah’s nose. “Along with the new loves we discover.”
Esme knew Wendell was talking about babies, but an image of Ryder filled her mind. Her phone pinged with an incoming text, and she welcomed the distraction.
“Speaking of new love, Bea apologizes for being unable to join us this morning. She’s finishing up a meeting about the new restaurant.” Esme grinned at Freya. “I think you’ve introduced my sister to her one true love, the Cowgirl Café. I don’t know if she’s told you, but our mom once dreamed of opening a restaurant. You’re helping Bea honor our family in multiple ways, Freya.”
“I’m happy to do it,” the older woman answered, although she looked anything but happy at the moment. Esme figured that could be blamed on the way her heart still grieved for Elias, and decided to change the subject.
“My sister’s food is sure to be a hit around here. She has such a clear vision for the restaurant.”
Wendell chuckled. “And she promised to put meatloaf on the menu in my honor. It’s my favorite.”
“It’s Elias’s favorite, too,” Freya shared. “It was his favorite,” she corrected.
Esme’s heart ached for the older woman. Despite her great-uncle’s unsavory past, it was apparent Freya had loved him dearly. Sometimes it felt as if the older woman couldn’t truly accept that her husband was gone.
“Like you said, I wish we’d gotten to know him.” Esme returned a drowsy Chase to his infant carrier. “But at least we have you. You’re a blessing in our lives, Freya.”
Her great-aunt looked uncomfortable at the compliment. “I haven’t done much.”
“But you’ve done something,” Wendell said as he handed Noah to Esme. “Which is more than my brothers ever did.”
Esme glanced at Freya, whose face had gone white as a sheet.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she insisted, but Esme didn’t believe her.
“You really have helped us so much. Without you, I never would have thought to get Chase’s DNA tested. You helped me discover what I might not have otherwise known. In the process, I found a father for both of them.”
Freya’s smile was grim. “I don’t think you should give me credit.”
“Any news on figuring out what happened that night?” Wendell interjected, scrubbing a craggy hand over his jaw.
Esme adjusted Noah’s bib and shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. One of the nurses Ryder talked to said two volunteers were working on the labor and delivery floor when the boys were born. We’re meeting with the second woman early next week. She’s in Florida right now visiting her daughter.”
Wendell nodded. “That seems promising.”
“Of course, we also received a terse email from the hospital’s attorney telling us to cease and desist from contacting their staff members because it’s a form of harassment.”
“You wouldn’t have to take matters into your own hands,” Wendell scoffed, “if they were doing anything to handle it.”
Freya stood and helped Wendell up from his chair. “Perhaps you should let it go,” she suggested with a shrug. “Does it really matter what happened in the grand scheme of things?”
“Hell, yes, it matters.” Wendell got to his feet, his movements stiff. “If I know one thing for certain, it’s that secrets and lies don’t do a damn bit of good. This family has had too many of those, and they’ve come close to tearing us apart.”
Esme nodded, although in some ways, she agreed with Freya. Ryder seemed almost consumed with finding out the details of the switch and who was responsible. She couldn’t help but wonder if his anger and irritation over the situation they’d been thrust into drove his determination.
She was trying her hardest not to get caught up in fairy-tale fantasies when it came to their practical and far-too-platonic partnership. Yet he couldn’t seem to release the need to find someone to blame. What would happen if he never got to the bottom of it? Would his frustration transfer to Esme?
She hoped that wouldn’t be the case. Wendell hugged her, and Freya offered an awkward pat on the arm as they said goodbye.
