A Secret to Shatter by Katie O’Connor
Chapter Twenty-One
Ira wasn’t sure what happened. Maybe it was the loving, caring attitude of his family. Perhaps it was Robert’s heartfelt apology. Maybe it was Honey’s generous and accepting nature. But at the exact moment, he realized Robert’s past mistakes didn’t matter. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have mistakes in his own past.
“Thanks for making me welcome,” Ira managed to get past the lump in his throat. “You’ve got a fine family.”
“We are a fine family. “Now, let’s go get pie. I only get sweets once a week and I’m not going to miss my opportunity.”
Back in the house, chaos reigned once again. The children had grown bored of video games and wanted dessert. They were sitting, noisily, at the dining room table waiting for Sue to serve.
“Let me help you,” Honey exclaimed as they entered the kitchen. “You cut, Ira and I will serve,” she said to Sue.
“I’m cutting smaller slices for the wee ones. Please serve them first.”
Honey grabbed two plates of pumpkin pie and the bowl of whipped cream and headed for the dining room. Ira grabbed two more servings and followed.
“Uncle Ira?” Daisy looked up at him when he entered. “Can you sit with Jane and me?”
He had no idea what prompted the invitation, but he agreed anyway. “Sure, let me finish serving the pie and I’ll join you.”
“Go ahead. Sit with the girls,” Honey encouraged him. “Get to know your nieces better.” Her smile was warm and understanding. Tenderness crept through him. He pecked her on the cheek and set the plates on the table before taking the empty seat between Daisy and Jane.
“Uncle Ira,” Daisy said, “I love you. You’re adopted, just like me.” She flung her arms around his neck and climbed onto his lap. Tears of understanding and happiness prickled behind his eyelids.
“I love you too, Daisy.” How could he not love this precocious and outspoken girl?
“Do you love me too?” Jane asked, worming her way onto his lap.
“Of course, I do, sweetness. I love all my nieces and nephews.”
“But you love us girls the most, right?” Jane asked.
At a loss for words and a good answer, he looked at Honey, pleading with his eyes for her to answer. She chuckled and fled into the kitchen.
“Well? Do you love the girls best?” Daisy cupped his cheeks between her hands and fixed him with a serious, no-nonsense expression.” His heart melted. What was it about children that made it so easy for them to melt an adult’s heart? His lips turned up in a grin.
“I love you all equally,” he managed at last. He leaned in and whispered, “But maybe I like girls the best. Shh. It’s a secret.”
The girls giggled. And turned around on his lap to face the table. They picked up their forks as he slid one arm around each of them, reveling in their soft warm cocoon of love. This is what life was supposed to be like.