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“Are you his girlfriend then?” Morgan’s blue eyes ide as she stared up at Donovan “You’re pretty, and my daddy likes you Youthat funny way”

Donovan had laid on her Arkansas twang heavy, telling a few jokes that had Brett nearly in stiches

“I’lad your daddy found me funny”

“Me too,” Morgan said, her expression serious, her voice softer “He’s sick you know”

Hot tears spiked the corners of Donovan’s eyes, but she irl “I do,” she answered si at her eyes and suddenly very busy pouring in the detergent so that she could run the dishwasher

“Moht?”

Sabrina cleared her throat “You do and you ht as well head in now Do you want me to come and run it for you?”

“Nope I’irl, Mommy I can do it I know to only fill it to the line Can I take Barbie in with me?”

“Sure honey I’ll be in to check on you in a bit”

Donovan watched Morgan skip across the roo behind her She blew out a long breath, aware that in just a few ht and confortable They were big and heavy and full of sad things They broke Donovan’s heart

“He tries so hard you know? To act as if things are okay As if they’re going to be okay” Sabrina said, swirling the red wine in her glass and watching it as if it was thein the world “Brett does it for the kids Forall the time”

“He loves you guys sofor you all then to dwell on…on his…” Donovan faltered, not knowing how to continue

“He’s terminal,” Sabrina whispered, eyes shiny with unshed tears as she shuddered “As of amore”

“I’m so sorry” What else did you say when confronted with that sort of thing? I’h, but it was all she had

“Thank you,” Sabrina said softly “I’ve had hied, her s else there Soht and full of love “I wouldn’t trade ten years of wonderful for a lifetime of mediocre I just wouldn’t Not even if back then I knew this was co at me”