in the world。 But there was a crucial question still
to be answered。
Slowly she turned the knob and drew open the door。 Fearful； she raised
her eyes to his。 And she saw love； surely she did； unless she wanted it
so bad that she was imagining it。
〃Do you love Rachel； too？〃 she asked in a faltering whisper。
When he reached for her arms； she didn't resist。 Neither did she melt
toward him； but held her line； waiting； waiting for his answer。
His smile was sad but tender。 〃Yes； I love Rachel。〃 His hands tightened
when she would have pulled free。 〃But I love her in a very different way
from how I love you； Annie。 Rachel is my daughter。〃
Anne was shocked。 His daughter？ She had been jealous of his daughter？
〃Why didn't you tell me？〃 she cried； wanting to hit him but slipping her
arms around his neck instead。
He held her tightly。 〃I've wanted to so many times。 But it never seemed
appropriate。 At the beginning； there was a part of me that wanted…God
forgive me…that wanted to forget her existence while I was up here。
Fatherhood has its merits； but it's been my greatest challenge since
Bey's death。〃
He had a daughter。 Anne could only begin to imagine that； much less the
challenge of going it alone。 〃Maybe I could have helped。〃
〃You've had enough to face without having to cope with a child。〃
〃How old is she？〃
〃She turned six last w