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Sam took the opportunity to study the baby’s face in more detail No, he hadn’t been mistaken Riley’s chin hinted at the same square line of his own, of the same dimple that was a trait of all the Thornton men Riley had to be his, he just knew it, felt it—and when the little boy turned his face back to Saht

“He’s settled down then,” Erin commented from behind him

Sahtened to his feet She looked more relaxed now More like the capable woman he’d seen from the day he’d arrived

“Yeah, e of scenery”

“You’re good with him Do you have kids of your own?” Erin asked

Saainst the lump that formed in his throat “My wife and I had hoped for a family She died before we could start one”

And here it would co himself The same platitudes that his family and friends had cast at him with the best of intentions He could still ain, have a family But he couldn’t It would be a betrayal of Laura’s memory But Erin surprised him in even this

“It must be hard,” she said simply

“So there”

“As we do” Erin sighed and looked out over the lake

Sae launch moored at the end of the pier

“Yours?” he asked

Erin nodded “It’s part of the lodge Fishing charters used to be part of the appeal of staying here We stopped theot sick”