Source One

husband.
    Once Mrs. Quinn and Amber had finished, Amber went upstairs to Katie’s room.
    Brian had just finished reading to Katie. He stood up. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
    “’Night, Daddy. ‘Night Amber.”
    Amber leaned down to kiss Katie. “Goodnight, Katie.”
    She and Brian left Katie’s bedroom and walked downstairs into the family room.
    Over the past few weeks, they’d settled into a routine. Most nights, Amber came to the house and had dinner with Brian, Katie and Mrs. Quinn. On weekends, she stayed over.
    “You’re a great dad, Brian,” Amber said.
    Brian kissed her. “Why don’t you get in touch with your father? Tell him everything you told me?”
    Amber closed her eyes. “I don’t know.”
    “Does he know about your mom?”
    “My uncle called him.”
    Brian’s brow creased. “Has he contacted you?”
    “He sent a sympathy card ,” Amber said.
    Brian nudged her chin up. “One of you really needs to pick up the phone.”
    Amber sighed. “You’re right. I just don’t know if I’m ready yet.”
    ***
    The next week, Brian and Amber were sitting in the hot tub after Katie had gone to bed.
    “Katie’s birthday’s coming up. I’m going to ask Mrs. Quinn to plan a party,” Brian said.
    He glanced up at Katie’s window. Last year, with Diana’s illness, they hadn’t had one. This year, he was determined to make it up to her.
    “Would you like me to help?” Amber asked.
    Brian raised his brow. “You wouldn’t mind?”
    “Not at all.” She gestured to the yard. “Maybe we could do something in the backyard. You have so much room. We could bring in some kind of entertainment.”
    Brian drew her to him. Kissed the top of her hair. “That sounds perfect.”
    The next evening, Brian got home from work and walked into the house. Dropped his keys on the entryway table and set his briefcase on the floor. He could hear Katie’s voice as he approached the kitchen.
    Amber was stirring something at the stove and Katie was speaking a mile a minute as she stood next to her.
    Katie beamed as Amber answered the question she’d asked.
    She was soaking up everything Amber gave her.
    Mrs. Quinn was grandmotherly, affectionate, a Godsend. But there was something about Amber that made up for what Katie had been missing for the last year.
    Brian inhaled a deep breath as he continued to watch them.
    After all of the months of anguish, he and Katie had finally turned a corner. And Amber was to thank for it.
    ***
    Amber watched as the horse trainer held the miniature pony’s reins and led him around the backyard. One of Katie’s friends sat atop him. There were twelve little girls enjoying Katie’s birthday party. The horse had been a huge hit.
    Amber had just finished slicing and serving birthday cake. Brian’s mother, Susan, had helped her.
    Susan had flown in several days before from Boston. She and Amber had gone out to lunch yesterday, after shopping for Katie’s birthday party.
    And Katie’s other set of grandparents had come in last night from Palm Springs. The seven of them had gone out to dinner after they’d arrived.
    Now Susan stood watching Katie. “She looks really happy. Not just because of the party. You’re obviously a big part of it.”
    Pleasure radiated through Amber. She looked over at Katie. “She’s a wonderful little girl.”

CHAPTER 15
     
    Brian shook his clients’ hands. They’d just had their annual golf outing at the Marin Golf Club.
    He said goodbye and walked toward his car.
    “Brian!”
    Brian turned to see a friend approaching.
    “David.” Brian pumped his friend’s hand.
    David and his wife, Laura, had been one of Diana’s last visitors. Laura had spoken at her funeral. Brought food for him and Katie afterward.
    “How are you doing?” David asked.
    There it was. The question everyone asked even though they were afraid of the answer.
    For once, Brian could be honest. Not just polite.
    “I’m okay, actually.”
    “And Katie?”
    “She’s doing well.”
    They spoke for a few more minutes.
    “Hey, Laura’s cousin started that security business,” David said. “He’s looking for clients, if you’re still interested.”
    Laura’s cousin, Matt, was ex-CIA. Brian had once spent a Saturday afternoon at a shooting range with him and David. No doubt he had a lot to offer his clients.
    Brian fished a card out of his wallet and handed it to David. “Have him call me.”
    Brian sat in Matt’s office a week later. He’d just signed on to have