Chapter 105 - 106
Seeing the smile on Elodie’s face, Harry’s eyes darkened.
There was something about that expression that was soft, unguarded, and genuine on her face that made his chest tighten in a way he couldn’t quite name. It was the kind of smile that didn’t belong on someone who carried shadows in their eyes the way she did. He’d seen those shadows before, lingering just beneath the surface whenever she thought no one was looking. But right now, with the afternoon sun catching the edges of her hair and Daisy’s laughter filling the air between them, those shadows had retreated.
And Harry found himself wanting to keep them at bay for as long as possible.
Elodie noticed his gaze and, unsure of what to make of it, asked, "What’s wrong?"
Her voice pulled him back. He blinked, realizing he’d been staring.
"Nothing."
The word came out rougher than he intended, but Elodie didn’t press. She simply turned back to Daisy, who was tugging on her hand, chattering excitedly about the kite they’d just launched. Harry watched them walk a bit farther along the lakeside path, the little girl’s ponytail bouncing with each enthusiastic step she took, Elodie’s posture relaxed in a way he suspected was rare for her.
He stayed nearby, keeping a respectful distance but close enough to intervene if needed. Not that he thought he’d have to, because Elodie moved with a quiet competence that suggested she was used to handling things on her own. Still, he didn’t leave. Couldn’t, really. Something about the scene held him there, watching without interfering.
After tiring of flying the kite, Elodie and Daisy gravitated toward the lake’s edge. They settled onto the wooden dock, their legs dangling over the side, fishing rods in hand.
Later, they crouched by one of the vendor’s small water pools, nets in hand, trying to catch the tiny fish darting between the rocks. Daisy squealed every time one slipped through her fingers. Elodie laughed, actually laughed and the sound was so unexpected, so unrestrained, that Harry felt something shift in his chest. He committed the sound to memory without quite understanding why.
Soon, it was noon.
Harry had originally just planned to take Daisy out for a walk. Unlike other families who came prepared with picnic baskets and blankets, they’d brought nothing. Now that it was mealtime and Daisy’s stomach was starting to rumble audibly, Harry suggested they eat at a small restaurant nearby.