Free Forsaken (The Found Book 2) by Caitlyn O'Leary Page A

Riley has to leave.” Annie looked up and saw Riley heading for the door. She handed Nell over to Shilah, and went to him.
    “Why do you have to leave?”
    “With Sierra gone, I’m in charge of communications here,” he said quietly. Annie looked at the young man and saw something was wrong.
    “Can you come back for dinner?”
    “I think it’s best if I don’t.”
    Annie looked at the young man who had been such a good friend and an integral part of her life since she arrived seven months ago.
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I talked to Nate, and he explained about Seth. It sounds like he really didn’t abandon you like we thought. It sounds like his marriage is a sham. I have to go.” Riley was barely holding it together, she could see it now. She thought if he was really interested in her he would have given some sort of indication, made a move, but he never did. Seeing his hurt, she could realized she was wrong.
    “Okay, maybe we can see each other tomorrow.”
    “Tomorrow would be better.” She reached for his arm, and then thought better of it.
    After he left, she went back to the others in the room. All of them were talking to one another pretending they hadn’t watched the scene between her and Riley.
    “So what’s for lunch?” Annie asked.
     
    ****
     
    That night she tossed and turned, she couldn’t sleep if her life depended on it, even though the night before she probably had two hours of sleep maximum. Last night the lovemaking had been so poignant, knowing it was real, or at least Seth was actually coming to her, and wasn’t a figment of her imagination. The moment she had told him they had a daughter together, the moment of shock, wonder and joy on his face would be one she’d never forget.
    Nell whimpered, normally it would have gone unnoticed during the night, but she was awake and hyperaware. Putting on her robe she went down the hall. Annie expected Nell to be sitting or standing in her crib which was normal when she made any kind of noise, but not this time. Her daughter was sleeping, butt high in the air, cheek resting on the mattress pad, huge smile on her face. She made another one of those small cries, and Annie recognized it. She was saying dada.
    Holy Cannoli, Seth was dream walking in Nell’s dreams. Her little girl was smiling and gurgling. Annie sat in the rocker and watched her, fascinated. After a bit Nell’s breathing evened out and she seemed to be sleeping contentedly. One of Annie’s favorite pastimes was to watch over her as she slept. She was beautiful. At long last she began to feel tired.
    “ You’re beautiful.”
    “Hmmm?”
    “You’re so beautiful. You make my heart ache.”
    “Were you talking to Nell?” She stroked her hand down his cheek and he held it and kissed her palm.
    “It was just nonsense. I was getting to know her, and babbling with her. Getting her to smile.”
    “She understands a lot.”
    “Really? I thought I was imagining it. You know, hoping for more than was really there. I don’t know anything about babies.” Seth moved, and Annie realized she was sitting on his lap in the rocking chair.
    “I think they’re easy. At least it is with Nell. You just have to love her.” Seth moved again, and Annie found herself even more ensconced in his arms, her head was under his chin. She felt safe and surrounded.
    “Can you tell me about her? About both of you? What it’s been like while I’ve been gone. Tell me about all I’ve missed. It’s too much, how can you forgive me? You must hate me.” She pressed closer to Seth.
    “I could never hate you. I love you.”
    “That was before, when we were together and I was only going to be gone a couple of months. That was when you loved me, but then I never came back.”
    “You’re right, you didn’t. Instead you gave me the greatest gift of my life. You gave me Nell.”
    Seth stroked his hand down her arm. “She’s wonderful. I don’t get it. She’s, she’s…well you’re her world.