Page 43 of His Surrender

“You have a daughter?”

“I do.”

“For how long?”

“I found out she existed about four weeks ago.”

Sawyer just … stares. The room falls quiet, except for Liana happily babbling to herself.

Sawyer points at me. “You’re a father?”

“Pretty much.”

He shakes his head again, still trying to process everything in front of him.

“I followed you home because I thought you were hiding some terminal illness.”

I can’t help laughing. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

“I’m not disappointed.” He looks at Liana again, softer this time. “I’m … completely confused.”

I nod toward the couch. “You should probably sit down.”

“I should probably have a drink.”

“That too.”

Sawyer slowly lowers himself onto the couch, never taking his eyes off my daughter.

“I think,” he mutters, still sounding shell-shocked, “you’ve got about four weeks’ worth of explaining to do.”

I glance over at Aubrey.

“Sorry.” I gesture toward Sawyer. “Aubrey, this is Sawyer. My business partner.”

Sawyer finally tears his eyes away from Liana long enough to acknowledge her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Aubrey smiles at Sawyer. “You too.”

His gaze bounces between the three of us again.

“So”—he points at Aubrey— “who is she?”

“Aubrey’s Liana’s nanny.”

Sawyer blinks. “You hired a live-in nanny?”

“I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

He looks back at Aubrey. “You’ve got your hands full, huh?”

A small laugh escapes her. “That’s one way to put it. I’ve only been here a couple of weeks.”

Sawyer looks around the apartment again, clearly still trying to piece everything together.

“Well, if you’re keeping this guy alive”—he nods toward me— “then you’re doing the Lord’s work.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m standing right here.”