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"II gotta get back to the woodpile"

She looked up at hiaze that hadn't been there before, and he had the absurd notion that he'd hurt her feelings "It was nice talking to you"

Jack pivoted and strode down the steps It was all he could do to keep fro

Later that night Tess sat at the kitchen table with Savannah Behind theh the silverware drawer

Idly, Tess picked up her spoon and stared into it She tried not to think about Jack right now, but it was iht, since the bath, she'd been unable to stop thinking about hiirl in the throes of her first crush It was ridiculous

A slow s, and energizing Now she wasspecial between her and Jack She knehy she'd chosen him, and it was more than just the heartache and fear she'd seen in his eyes as he reached out for his child It was his capacity for

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love For even as she'd seen hi by the crib, she'd known that he was desperately afraid to be there, afraid to need his child's love, and yet, as afraid as he was, he'd stayed there, reaching out Most people retreated froave up on love Tess knew; she'd done it herself But not Jack He'd sheathed hiet, but he'd never walked away And that iven up

Last night, in the liry htened, lonelyalone So much like her

She thought about the tiirls with love, or carving a rocking horse in the ht, and her heart swelled with e inside of her broke free Deep inside her, in the tiny, oft-overlooked corner of her soul where she'd long ago put her drea stirred So time

Tess felt the heavy weight of Savannah's gaze on her face She looked up suddenly, and found Savannah staring at her intently "What is it, Savannah?" she asked quietly

Savannah shook her head slowly A sad little frown plucked at her mouth "Nothin'"

Tess reached over and squeezed Savannah's hand Their eyes met and held "You know, Savannah," Tess whispered, "I'"

Savannah sed hard "Th-Thanks, Mama"

Katie thumped her elbows on the table "Ma with the spoon"