“Yes. And she’s our niece. We want to know her, too.”
“You let the time slip away.”
“I know. We should’ve stood up to Dad. We didn’t.”
“Why bring a little girl to a man who doesn’t want her?”
“Because soon it’ll be too late for them to meet.”
I crossed my arms.
“Are you trying to take her?”
“You let the time slip away.”
“What? No.”
“Rich family. Lawyers. And me with a leaking roof.”
“Nobody’s taking anyone. I swear.”
“Swearing is cheap.”
He took a velvet pouch from his coat.
“Meredith gave me this. It’s Ellie’s.”
“Swearing is cheap.”
“I don’t want it.”
“Then hold it for her. Please.”
He walked back to the SUV.
I locked the door and sat at the kitchen table. The pouch lay in front of me.
