Book Beginnings & Friday 56

"Ian watched Mattie sleep, her body curved as if still pressed against his, her arms resting on a pillow that he had carefully positioned alongside her torso. The pillow acted as his body double on many nights, comforting her in his absence, offering her warmth and the remnants of his scent. The king-sized bed made his ten-year-old daughter seem so small. She looked too fragile and lonely, as if she might come unbound without him beside her."rosecityreader

"Ian wanted to believe in Kate's words, in the wishing tree, but try as he might, he couldn't. How could he believe in such goodness when that very goodness had been ripped away from him?"fredasvoice