�We�ve been having quite a talk,� she said, lifting the infant from the willow basket and gently ensconcing her in his arms, �But I think she�s ready to visit with her Papa now.�
He brushed a kiss across Victoria�s cheek and she smiled. When she was gone, he looked down at the bundle he held. �You know, Kate Precious, you have quite a wonderful mother. You make her very happy�and we must always make her happy. She�d never complain, but she hasn�t always been appreciated the way she should be. She spent too long living in the shadow of a powerful man�far too long. Jarrod and Nick and Audra and Gene were raised according to his rules and standards, not hers. It wasn�t that she was less of a good mother to them, but don�t you see, darling, now�with you�she has a chance to do it her way. She adores you so! We both do, and we always, always will!�
Kate grunted, and Royce could have sworn that she was scanning the horizon for her next meal.
�Ah, but don�t let me become sentimental when I can see you�d like to talk of other things! For instance, where is Mother with that bottle?�
�Right here,� came a voice from the doorway.
�Then I suppose we'll have to stop talking about you,� grinned Royce. He looked back at Kate. �You do understand that we spoke in confidence, Precious? Wouldn�t want Mother to know that I�ve divulged all her secrets.�
�And what makes you think you know all my secrets?� asked Victoria, raising an eyebrow and plucking her daughter from his arms. She settled in the chair and positioned the bottle for the hungry baby.
�The fact that�well, no. Never mind. You�re quite correct; I would be hideously in error to presume that I knew everything that went on in that most beautiful head.�
�Royce.�
He winked at Kate. �But keep it quiet all the same.�