Shifting her eighteen-month-old son Douglas into a more secure position on her lap, she cuddled him closer. He’d been asleep for the last hour and she wanted him to stay asleep a little longer. “I thought you were going to write and tell her we’d be at Redding Park for Christmas.” Marcus grinned at her answering smile. “I’m not sure she’s convinced I don’t blame her for Vincent’s actions three years ago. I do feel badly that it has taken me this long to see her again.” Marcus reached out and ran his fingers down the side of the baby’s face before leaning over and brushing a kiss across her lips. “It’s not your fault you’ve been busy.” “I know, but that still doesn’t make it acceptable that I haven’t seen her. Before the incident with Vincent she was the only person who made the effort to get to know me.” She held up her hand before he could speak. “I know you think she only befriended me because he forced her to, but she was still a friend.” “I know, I know.
