Page 74 of Shadows of You

Turning into our drive, I saw Roan’s truck in the distance. Something in me eased. Reassured me, even with all that was going on.

I pulled to a stop in front of the house and climbed out, helping Cady from the back seat. She trudged up the steps and waited for me to unlock the door. When we got inside, Roan was sitting on the couch, Chauncey curled at his side.

Everything in me warmed at the sight. At his mere presence. I loved the thought of him letting himself in with the key I’d loaned him. Of him letting Chauncey out and giving him scratches. Of him waiting for us.

I loved it all. A little too much.

Cady slid her coat off, hanging it up.

Roan grinned at her. “Hey, Tiny Dancer.”

Cady’s lower lip began to tremble, and then she flew at him.

Roan’s eyes widened in surprise as he caught her, tutu and all.

Cady burst into wild, racking sobs. I expected Roan to freeze, unsure what to do with the ball of emotion in his arms. Instead, he simply rocked her back and forth, rubbing a hand up and down her back and whispering nonsensical things to her as she cried.

I crossed to them, lowering myself to the couch as Cady’s sobs lessened a fraction. Roan’s eyes collided with mine, and I saw so much pain in his—sympathy for my daughter.

“What happened?” he whispered gruffly to Cady.

She didn’t answer right away, then sniffed. “Heather’s so mean. She said my tutu is cheap and pathetic. That I’m embarrassing and will never be a ballerina.”

Roan stiffened, gripping Cady a little tighter. I watched as he struggled to keep his breathing even. “You know she’s just saying that because she’s jealous, right?”

Cady looked up at him. “She hates me, and I never did anything to her.”

Roan brushed the hair away from her face. “You’re nice to everyone. And I bet everyone at school and ballet likes you.”

“Not her, Susanna, and Lainey,” Cady grumbled.

Heather’s friends, I mouthed to Roan.

“They don’t like you because everyone else does. They have ugliness on their insides, and it means they’ll never have what you do,” he explained.

“What do I have?” Cady asked.

“You’ve got a light in you. Same one your mama has. And I bet your mom had it, too.”

Cady’s eyes shone as her lip trembled again. “You know about my mom?”

He nodded. “I heard she was super special, and I know she gave that to you.”

I squeezed her hand. “Roan’s right. Your mom had the best light. Brighter than anyone could imagine. And I think you’re gonna be just the same.”

Roan jerked his head in a nod. “You can’t let anyone steal that light. Can’t let anyone dim it. No matter how hard they try. Because that light’s magic.”

Cady blinked up at him. “Magic?”

“Definitely. It can heal hurts and make people feel safe and loved. You shine that light on as many people as possible. Even those mean girls. You don’t have to be friends with them, but you just keep shining. Don’t let them know they affected you at all.”

Cady nibbled on her bottom lip. “I don’t know if I can pretend when they’re that mean.”

“You gotta replace the words in your head. When they say something mean, you turn it into the best compliment ever,” Roan said.

She scrunched her nose. “Like how?”

Roan shifted her on his lap so she could see his face better. “Let’s say someone tells me, ‘You’re the ugliest person I’ve ever seen.’”

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