He winds two of his fingers around mine and, without looking at me, bends to brush his lips over her forehead. He straightens and we both stand perfectly still and silent, listening to the feathery huff of her breath escaping her slightly-parted lips. Then, surprising me, Cash pulls a small pair of safety scissors, the kind that kids use in kindergarten, from his back pocket. He releases my hand long enough to reach into the mass of Isabella's long hair near her nape and snip off a few strands close to the scalp, some that will never be missed. He re-pockets the scissors, takes my hand again and, without a word, he pulls me from the room.
I wait until the door to Isabella's room is pulled nearly shut and we are down the hall and in our bedroom before I ask what is burning on my tongue.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Cash deposits the long hairs into a small bottle, no doubt the one my father provided him, and screws the cap on tight.
"I want to know what Sophie's been giving Isabella to make her sleep."
"But she sent the bottle, didn't she?"
"Yeah. She put it into a smaller container she said. I never did see the prescription bottle. Honestly, I don't think there is one."
"You think she's drugging her?"
Cash nods. "Jason King knows a guy. He's gonna test the hair for drugs, opiates and shit she might be giving her to knock her out, and also do a paternity test. I don't want to put Isabella through that again, but I … I have to know."
I stand staring at my husband, at the distress that he thinks he's completely hidden from view, and I take a step toward him. I reach up to cup his cheek, loving the feel of his stubble against my skin. "Will it even matter?"
He frowns. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, will it even matter if she's not your daughter? Could you turn her away?"
He watches me, his obsidian gaze searching mine. "No, but … "
"But what?"
"But I still need to know. For me. For her. For us."
I study him, my hand falling away as I again wonder what's going on behind that beautiful face of his. Finally, I nod. "Okay. But Cash, if she's not yours and Sophie is drugging her, what will you do? What can you do?"
"I'll take her. Sophie wants something. Money, security. Hell, it could be anything, but she's here for a reason. I just need to find out what it is and make her a deal she can't refuse."
I nod again, my mind spinning. Cash cups my face in his big palms, pulling my attention squarely back to him. "Olivia, I know this isn't easy for you, but … she's just a little girl."
I smile. I smile because his emotions are involved. I smile because it no longer matters to him whether she's biologically his or not. I smile because I'm beginning to feel the same way. It's hard not to let such a sweet, lovely little girl into your life, into your heart. She's the innocent in all this, yet she could pay the biggest price.
"It's fine, baby. I promise."
He lets out a breath it sounds like he'd been holding and drags me into his arms. "I love you."
"I love you more."
"Not possible."
"Quite possible."
"Never."
"Always."
CHAPTER FIVE
Cash
Isabella obviously enjoyed her trip to Olivia's home place. She's chattered the whole way back about various things she got to see and do over the last three days. I like seeing her lively like this, more like a nine year old little girl ought to be. I like seeing her warm to Olivia, too. And Olivia warm to her. Not that there was ever animosity there, but these days have been good for them both. They giggle together over silly things, they sing to some of the same songs on the radio, things that a mother and her daughter might do. Olivia even braided her hair this morning. It made my chest feel tight with happiness when I walked into our bedroom and found them there, Isabella sitting between Olivia's legs while Olivia worked with her hair. Olivia hummed the whole time and Isabella played with the stretchy elastic band that would hold the braid together in the end. It made me that much more determined to give Olivia a child of her own. Of our own.
"How about a movie tonight, ladies?" I ask, a little unwilling for what feels like family time to be over.
"Yay!" Isabella cries enthusiastically.
I slide my gaze over to Olivia. "You in?"
Her eyes shine brightly over at mine. "That sounds like fun."
I reach for her hand, winding my fingers around hers and then bringing them to my lips. A million tiny gestures could never tell Olivia exactly how much I love her. But they're a start.