The Fighter's Block (56 page)

“Good choice
,” Van nodded. “Well come on in
.”

“Uh, actually…” He turned toward the street and said, “I brought someone with me.”

“You did?” Dani smiled. She was assuming it was a woman so she said, “Bring her in.”

“Well, she’s kind of the reason I’ve been so busy lately.”

“Well duh, that makes sense,” Dani teased.

“No, I mean… I’ve been busy working.”

Both Dani and Van glanced at each other but Cole motioned to a car across the street and the door opened. A woman step
ped out and he said, “I’ve
finally found her
, Van
.”

Van could only stare at the young
woman
tentatively stepping onto the sidewalk.

No, it couldn’t be…

“Leah?” he asked, barely audible.
He mechanically handed the baby to
his wife
.

Dani
watched Van step onto the porch as his sister approached. Leah already had tears on her face when she
very shakily
said, “Hi, Van,
”
and without hesitation, Van scooped her up in a big hug and held her tight.