Chapter 72

seventy-two

PAUL

Early the next morning, a soft knock sent Amy rushing toward the front door. "It's Liam!"

I wiped my hands on the dishtowel and slowly walked into the hallway. I'd tossed and turned for most of the night, dreading his arrival. It would be the last time we'd see each other, and my heart was already breaking.

By the time I arrived in the entryway, the door was open and Amy was wrapped in Liam's arms.

"How are you after yesterday's adventure?" he asked Amy.

The smile on Amy's face disappeared. "I'm okay. I'm sorry about leaving the school."

"You know how dangerous that was, don't you?"

Amy nodded. "I won't do it again."

"I know you won't." Liam hugged her once more before lowering her to the floor.

His gaze connected with mine.

A shiver ran down my spine. I wanted to wrap myself in his arms, feel the prickly edge of his unshaven face against my cheeks, and tell him I wanted him to move to Sunrise Bay. But I couldn't.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile. "Hi. Amy and I made pancakes for breakfast."

"With raspberry sauce and yogurt," Amy added. "'Cos it's a special occasion."

Liam's eyebrows rose. "It is?"

Amy nodded and slid her hand into Liam's. "Uncle Paul said you're going home today. If you like our pancakes, you might come back for more."

Liam glanced at me before looking down at Amy. "I won't be coming back for a long time."

"I know, but a long time is better than never."

I didn't know what was worse—the hopeful expression on Amy's face or the sadness in Liam's eyes.

Instead of adding my tears to what was happening, I turned toward the kitchen. "Let's have breakfast. The pancakes don't taste nearly as good when they're cold."

By the time we walked through the doorway, Amy was chatting to Liam, laughing while she told him about Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor's vegetable patch.

I listened to the sweet conversation with my bottom lip clamped between my teeth, hoping to keep my tears from spilling down my cheeks. I should be grateful that laughter had replaced the sad mood from a few minutes ago. Instead, I was miserable. With a heavy heart, I took three glasses out of the cupboard.

"The pancakes smell amazing," Liam said from behind me.

He was looking over my shoulder, standing so close that I could feel the heat from his body. I gripped the edge of the counter as my knees turned to jelly .

"What can I do to help?"

I took a deep breath and tried to control my pounding heart. "You could turn on the coffeepot. Other than that, we're ready for breakfast." As soon as I turned around, I knew I was in trouble. Liam's intense gaze told me he knew exactly what I was thinking.

He brushed his hand along my cheek. "I know this isn't easy."

"I'll be okay." I wiped my eyes, then took two steps sideways and opened the refrigerator door. With a trembling hand, I held a carton of milk toward him. "Could you pour a glass of milk for Amy?"

He silently took the carton, switched on the coffeepot, and moved across to the table.

Amy was waiting for us.

I sighed when I saw the napkin tucked inside the neck of Amy's sweater. The red and gold pattern reminded me of the day we'd spent with Alex and Dylan. The first Christmas I'd ever had with my brother.

I placed the pancakes in the middle of the table and sat down.

Amy smiled at Liam. "You go first, Liam, 'cos you're our guest."

He lifted two pancakes onto his plate. "How many would you like, Amy?"

"One, please."

After we'd all smothered our pancakes in raspberry sauce and vanilla yogurt, Liam took the first bite. "Mmm…I'd forgotten how good your pancakes taste."

Amy grinned. "They're the best. Dolly likes them, too."

Liam smiled at the red-headed rag doll sitting beside Amy. "What are you doing in your class today? "

Amy's fork froze above her pancake. "I don't know."

"Because you weren't at school yesterday?"

Amy's narrow shoulders rose. "Kind of. What if everyone makes fun of me for leaving?"

I frowned. "They won't do that. They'll be happy you're okay."

"Sometimes they say mean things, Uncle Paul," Amy said softly.

The pancake in my mouth turned to sawdust. "What do they say?"

"That I talk funny."

Liam put down his knife and fork. "They might not have met anyone from Milwaukee before."

"That's what my teacher said. She said everyone talks differently, just like we look different. But we can still be friends."

I thanked our lucky stars for Mrs. Polanski. "She's right, Amy. The world would be a boring place if everyone looked and sounded the same."

A wistful smile drifted across Amy's face. "Not if they looked and sounded like Liam. Then I wouldn't miss him so much."

For a brief moment, Liam closed his eyes.

Coming here this morning must be just as hard for him as it was for me. We both cared about Amy and, deep inside my heart, I knew we cared about each other.

"Liam's only a phone call away," I reminded Amy. "And he loves your drawings."

Amy smiled at Liam. "And you like Uncle Paul's baking, too. We could send you some cakes and cookies."

Liam cleared his throat. "I'd like that."

With a happy sigh, Amy picked up her knife and fork and ate her pancake .

I wasn't sure I could pick up my knife and fork, much less eat my pancake. Saying goodbye to Liam was one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do—and this would be the second time this week.