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“You knoould help” Cole could argue until he was blue in the face, and likely Lucie still wouldn’t change her mind, but he had to try

“Financially, ed to differ, especially if herjust to pay herthe obvious, he waited patiently until she continued

“Haley needs a father I get it That still doesn’tto tell him He wouldn’t have time for her and quite frankly, I think that would be harder on her than not knowing”

Reaching out and placing his hand over hers, Cole looked Lucie directly in the eyes “Listen to me You need to seriously consider this, Lucie He deserves to know he has a daughter It’s only fair to let him make that decision on his own I know the last four years have been hard on you, but that doesn’tto say to him? I uess what? Alh I know you don’t re to happen”

“He cares about you, Lucie”

“That’s only because I work for hiued

Cole kneas ti the situation worse, and he couldn’t very well make Lucie’s decision for her “Think about it, Lucie That’s all I’ from his seat, he noticed the relief on Lucie’s face She didn’t want to continue this conversation, and he would grant her that reprieve

When he reached the door, he turned back to her oneto say

“You know him better than I do, Cole What do you think he would say?”

He wasn’t sure either, but at least she was starting to consider the implications “I don’t know, honey I really don’t, but I think you’ll be surprised The three of you deserve to have a chance to figure it out together”

Lucie looked at the floor for aby”

“I’ll see you on Thursday I o to her doctor’s appointment” Cole tilted her chin so she had to look up at hiry at first because you kept this from him, but he’ll come around And she deserves it, Lucie”

With a look of clear defiance, Lucie straightened her spine, those chocolate brown eyes fixed on hi to make a daht”

With that, Cole left On his way to his truck, he thought about Lucie’s parting words, and he could only hope he was right