Free B00CQUPUKW EBOK by Ana E Ross Page B

it.
    According to Steven, Lauren had gone to pick up Michael from the lodge when his truck wouldn’t start.  The authorities speculated that while on their way home, Lauren’s SUV might have hit a patch of black ice and careened off Route 80 into a deep ravine.
    They were still waiting on the coroner’s report for the causes and times of death.
    Bryce balled his hands into fists.  In the past two months, Michael had called him four times for a jumpstart.  Twice at the ski lodge.  Once at the supermarket, and once when he’d gone to get Alyssa from ballet.  For his birthday, just a week and a half ago, Bryce had bought Michael a brand new truck.  But his friend refused to accept it.  It was too much, he said. 
    Bryce wondered if his scripture-quoting friend’s last thoughts were “pride goes before a fall”.  Damn him for causing his children so much heartache. 
    He was mad at himself, too.  If he hadn’t allowed the small-town paparazzi to chase him into the Alps after his recent breakup with his latest lover, he would have been home to respond to Michael’s call for help.  He would have gladly laid down his life for these children.
    “I’m hungry, Auntie Kaya.  Can I have a cookie?”
    Bryce walked over to the table, and taking Alyssa by the hand, he sat down and lifted her onto his knee.  “How about Uncle Bryce order some pizza?”
    “I just want a cookie.”  She pointed to the loon-shaped ceramic cookie jar on the counter. 
      Lauren kept it filled with homemade cookies.  She always baked an extra batch for him.  Many times in the past five years, he’d drowned his pre-dawn nightmares in a glass of milk and chocolate chip, or oatmeal-raisin and walnut cookies.  “You can have a cookie after you eat some pizza,” he told Alyssa.
    “Okay.  Can I have extra cheese and pepperoni?”
    “You can have whatever you want.”
    “Can Snoopy have sausage?  He doesn’t like pepperoni.  It makes him burp.  Right, Snoopy?”  She nodded the beagle’s head.
    Bryce chuckled.   “Okay.  Sausage for the dog.”
    Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck.  “I love you, Uncle Bryce.”
    Bryce held her close and closed his eyes as he drew comfort from her warmth, her trust, her innocence.  He knew he shouldn’t have favorites, but this little one held a very special place in his heart, perhaps because if his own child had been given a chance at life, he or she would have been the same age as Alyssa.  They would have cut their first teeth together, taken their first steps around the same time, started preschool this very year.  If only he’d protected his family...   If only...
    “Bryce.” 
    Bryce opened his eyes to find Samantha watching him.  From the empathy in her eyes, he knew she’d picked up on his thoughts.  She was the only person who understood his special affection for Alyssa.  
    Four years ago, when his loss was still very fresh, Samantha had encouraged him to deepen his bond with the newly born Alyssa.  Surprisingly, it had eased his grief over Pilar’s death.  He’d trusted Samantha then, and he trusted her now to help Jason through his pain.  He set Alyssa on the floor and stood up.  “Go ask your brother what he wants on his pie, sweetheart?” he said, smiling down at her.
    “Okay, Uncle Bryce.” 
    Bryce pulled out a chair for Samantha.  “Can I get you something to drink?  Tea, coffee, water?”
    “I’m fine, Bryce.  Just sit.” 
    Bryce reclaimed the chair he’d vacated.  “So, what’s your prognosis on Jason?”  He was never one to beat around the bush.
    “The pain for a young child losing a parent is horrendous,” she began.  “Jason has lost both, and he’s finally accepted that they aren’t coming home.  It’s a start in the healing process. The next few days are going to be volatile.  He may cry a lot.  He may become distant, or he may have sudden outbursts of anger.  It’s different for each child.  But given Jason’s