“What?” He struggled to understand her.
“No one talks about Zoey. You haven’t said much about her, and the only thing people in town say is that she died too young.”
“You’ve asked other people about her?” A pulse pounded in his inner ear. He could barely think through the buzzing.
“Yes, I did. Zoey existed, Jack. Why don’t you want people to know about her, to talk about her?”
His gaze lowered to the newspaper in his fist. “She’s not their business.”
“Not talking about Zoey is hurting you.” Audra closed the distance between them. “As a songwriter, I’ve taught myself to express my feelings in my lyrics. It’s cathartic. I think it would help if you did the same thing.”
“I disagree.” Jack gritted his teeth.
She placed her small hand over his damaged heart. “Tell me about Zoey.”
Audra’s words were a command. They allowed no resistance. A chain of images played across Jack’s memory: bringing his baby girl home, teaching her to ride her bike, helping her with her homework, taking walks in the woods, fishing at Pearl Lake.
“She was my daughter.” His voice broke.
“What did she like to do?” Audra stepped closer. Her words were as soft as a lullaby. Her warmth did battle with the ice pressing against his chest.
“I read to her.”
“You told me. Fairy tales.” Audra smiled and Jack allowed the calm to settle over him.
“Every night before she went to sleep.” He’d tuck her in, then settle into the chair beside her bed to read to her—fairy tales, Bible stories, children’s books. At first, Zoey would pepper him with questions, which he’d do his best to answer. The questions dwindled as the minutes flew by and sleep overcame her.
“What else?” Audra’s expression softened. She dropped her hand from his chest.
“Zoey hated bedtime. Kerry would make her hot cocoa to help her sleep.” Jack chuckled. “She’d sip the cocoa one drop at a time so she could stay up later.”
“Smart girl.” Audra’s laughter was magical. It had the power to vanquish the cold darkness.
Jack took her hand to lead her back to the sofa. He pulled her down to sit beside him. “It drove Kerry nuts, but I had a hard time keeping a straight face.” He chuckled again. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“Tell me something else.” Audra leaned against him. “Tell me how she made y
ou feel.”
Jack sobered. “Is this more of your songwriting tricks?”
“They’re not tricks.”
“I’m not good at talking about feelings.”
“Give it a try.”
“This is stupid.”
“Come on.” Audra nudged him with her shoulder.
Jack pressed his head against the sofa’s back and closed his eyes. “She made me happy. She gave my life a purpose. She made me feel . . . heroic.” Seconds ticked as he waited for Audra’s reaction. In her silence, he felt dumb.
Audra’s sigh quavered. “That was beautiful.”
“She made me feel as though I could do anything. Bring a fairy tale to life, make a gourmet meal.” His throat worked as emotions threatened to constrict his muscles. “Find a cure for cancer.”
Jack kept his eyes closed. But he felt Audra rise from the sofa to settle on his lap. His arms tightened like a vise around her waist. His body shook with silent grief.