He nodded. Then Malachi rose and took her in his arms, forcing himself to take deep breaths. It wasn’t enough. He could feel tears in the corners of his eyes, but he could not be ashamed of them. He held Ava in his arms and let himself smile.

“You’re happy,” she said on a sigh, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.

He pulled away and kissed her face until she was laughing. Then he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, the wonder of what they had become a vibrant song in his heart.

“Sometimes, canım, words are not enough.”

End of Book Three.