Her tone softened. "Give Joshua some time, okay? Spend more time with him. I'll talk to him. He will call you Daddy in no time."

Gale tugged at his sleeve, swaying gently. Her voice was both soft and tender. She looked innocent and pitiable with her big, watery eyes fixed on him.

Shawn could not resist. He sighed softly and reached for her hand.

"This is my fault. If you knew Joshua was your son, you would not have treated him like that, and he wouldn't hold a grudge." Gale took a step forwar