Chapter 8 - The Recovery
Three weeks later, the sunlight streaming through the windows of the Oak Ridge house was bright and warm.
Lily was sitting on the living room sofa, a small white bandage still visible near the nape of her neck beneath her brown hair. She was coloring in a sketchbook, her hands steady, her laughter bright as she argued good-naturedly with her aunt Sarah about which color to use for a drawing of a horse.
Daniel stood in the kitchen, brewing coffee. The hollow look in his eyes was gone, replaced by a deep, quiet calm.
A sleek black car pulled up to the driveway. Amelia Grant stepped out, carrying a small gift bag.
Daniel met her at the front door. "Amelia. Come in."
"I was in the area reviewing our regional branch," Amelia said, stepping inside. She handed the bag to Daniel. "A small recovery gift for Lily. Mostly books."
"She’ll love them," Daniel said, inviting her into the living room.
May you like
Lily looked up from her drawing, smiling warmly at Amelia. "Hi, Miss Amelia! Dad said you helped us get the big hospital room with the window."
Amelia smiled back, kneeling down slightly to meet Lily’s eye level. "Your dad did all the heavy lifting, Lily. I just made sure the roads were clear."
