Chapter 3

three

PAUL

My friend Sarah met us on the front veranda of her gorgeous home. She held Amy's hand and opened all the doors as we made our way into the kitchen.

"Did the cake survive its journey across town?" Sarah asked.

I slid the box onto the counter. I hoped so. It had taken two days to decorate the cake. Most of the individual elements could be fixed but, if the dragon's wings were damaged, it would be disastrous.

Holding my breath, I lifted the lid and looked inside the box. "It's perfect. Would you like to have a look?"

Amy tugged Sarah's hand. "You have to be careful," she whispered. "No touching."

"I'll remember. Would you like to look at the cake with me?"

Amy's head bobbed up and down.

I pulled a kitchen stool out from the counter. From this distance, Amy's little fingers couldn't touch the icing. But she was close enough to still feel as though she was part of the unveiling .

The dragon birthday cake was for Sarah's husband, Corey. With bright blue and green buttercream scales, sparkling eyes, and purple candy melt wings, it sat majestically on a rocky ledge made from chocolate. Apart from seeing the cake, there was another surprise that no one would be expecting. Cradled beneath one of the dragon's wings was a golden egg. I thought the way Sarah wanted to tell her husband she was pregnant was adorable.

"Oh, my goodness. It's just like the picture I gave you." Sarah hugged me. "I love what you did with the egg. It looks incredible."

"Do you think Corey will get the connection between the egg and becoming a dad?" I asked.

"I hope so. If he doesn't, I'll give him some hints."

Sarah continued to admire the cake, pointing out her favorite things to Amy. After she'd finished, we carefully carried it into the living room.

In the next hour, Corey's friends and family would arrive for his surprise party. About half an hour later, Corey would come home from work. I couldn't wait to see his face when everyone yelled, ‘happy birthday.'

Sarah carefully placed a cover over the cake. "You do realize I'm paying you for this."

I sighed. We'd had this discussion before, and my answer had been the same. "You're not paying me. I loved making this for you and Corey. It's my way of saying thank you for everything you've done for us."

I could only imagine what my life would have been like if Sarah hadn't been here.

"We only did what anyone else would have."

They'd done so much more. Three years ago, Amy was happily living with her mom and grandparents in Milwaukee. I was living in Dallas, working in a job I loved, and engaged to a man who meant the world to me.

Then in one horrific moment, everything changed.

I'd returned to Milwaukee after my parents and sister were killed in a car accident. Even though my heart was torn in two, I'd done my best to look after Amy.

But, the truth was, I knew nothing about looking after a little girl. Every day felt like I was walking a tightrope, trying to balance work, grief, and the responsibility of being Amy's guardian. She deserved stability, love, and a sense of normalcy that I struggled to provide.

Sarah and Corey had stepped in, not just as friends, but as lifesavers. They'd offered guidance when I felt lost, a shoulder to cry on when the nights were too long, and practical help with everything from kindergarten runs to bedtime stories. Without them, I wasn't sure how I would have managed.

Nothing I could say or do would ever be enough to repay their kindness. But Corey's birthday cake was a good place to start.