“There’s a little wooden bird feeder stuck on the window outside.

A cardinal came right up to it while you two were down the hall.”

“That’s wonderful, sweetie,” I said, walking over to stand beside her bed.

Daniel walked around to the far side of the bed and picked up his dark trench coat from the back of the visitor chair.

He bent down, kissed Grace lightly on the forehead, and rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment.

“I’m going to head home and take care of a few urgent work emails, Grace,” he said, his voice instantly regaining its warm, affectionate polish.