Chapter 4
A day that seemed to drag on was finally coming to an end and every part of Linus ached, from the weariness of his muscles to the sorrow in his heart. He trusted there would be better days ahead, but for now it was hard to see beyond tomorrow. He was tired, emotionally drained, and ready to collapse into the comfort of bed.
It just wouldn’t be his bed.
Leaning a little on the doorframe, arms crossed loosely over his chest, Linus watched the tiny slumbering figure of his niece. She looked at peace, almost as though everything in her world was hunky dory and his presence in her house was a holiday visit. He prayed sleep came to him as easily. She clutched a teddy bear, the faint glow of a nightlight keeping the dark from totally devouring her room.
Over the years Linus had had
