Lee McClain - A Family For Easter

“Mama?” Poppy came over and leaned against Fiona’s leg, and Fiona pulled her up onto her lap.

“How’s it going, kiddo? Where’s Maya?”

“She went upstairs.” Poppy stuck her thumb in her mouth, which seemed like a young thing for a three-year-old to do. But she was awfully cute. And she provided a good distraction, wiping the sadness off Fiona’s face.

“I remember when Sofia was that age,” he said. “And then Diego. They grow up so fast.”

“I know. I want to cling on to my baby as long as I can. But she’s getting big.” As proof of that, Poppy wiggled hard to get down and started to slide to the floor.

Eduardo reached over and caught her, hands around her upper arms. “Careful there, young lady,” he said, steadying her.

She wiggled away and grabbed Fiona’s leg, looking back fearfully at Eduardo.

“I’m sorry.” He looked from Poppy to Fiona. “I didn’t realize...”

“She’s not much used to men, that’s all.” She pulled Poppy up onto her lap. “Mr. Delgado is a very nice man.”

Poppy shook her head. “Not nice.”

Oh, great. Now Fiona would think there was something wrong with him. Because kids and dogs always know, right?

Fiona tapped Poppy’s lips gently and shook her head. “We use kind words,” she said and then reached out to Eduardo and patted his forearm. “She wasn’t around her father much at all, and... Well, we were in a lot of turmoil shortly after she was born. It’s had its impact.”

“I understand. Diego went through a phase where he was nervous around strangers.”

“I thought she’d have outgrown it by now.” Fiona looked out the window, seeming to see something disturbing through the deepening twilight. Absently, she stroked Poppy’s head until it rested against her chest. The little girl’s eyes were barely able to stay open.

Eduardo wanted nothing more than to comfort Fiona, but that wasn’t his place...was it?

He’d been fortunate enough to have a good marriage, with a wonderful woman. But he hadn’t been able to keep her safe.

Yes, it had been bad timing. When the small landscaper he’d been working for had gone bankrupt, the minimal medical coverage he’d had for his family had been gone. It had taken time to get replacement coverage. To get a new job, too, what with a sick wife and two little kids. Once he’d finally found work, his new job had provided great benefits, even covering Elizabeth’s preexisting condition. But the three-month gap had meant spotty treatment at a crucial stage of Elizabeth’s illness, and although a couple of doctors had told him it wouldn’t have made a difference, he knew better.

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