I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 101

"It's no trouble," Nora said. "Just something I threw together."

She bent down to look at Bonnie. "You stay here and look after your dad for a bit."

Bonnie immediately clapped her hands. "Okay! But I want to come downstairs and help you cook, Nora."

Nora reached out and ruffled the little girl's hair. "No need, I can handle it myself. There's a lot going on in the kitchen, and I'd be distracted trying to keep an eye on you."

Bonnie's little face fell, disappointment hanging clearly on her brow, and her voice dropped half an octave. "Well, alright."

Xander leaned against the headboard, watching the scene. His lips twitched slightly, half-teasing and half-serious. "Do you really hate spending time with me that much?"

Bonnie vigorously shook her head. "No way! I just want to help Nora. Cooking is hard work, I know it is."

She spoke with absolute certainty, having seen Nora bustling around the kitchen many times.

Then she turned to look at Nora and added, "Nora always makes so many different dishes. She must be exhausted."

Xander nodded thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on Nora for a fleeting second.

He didn't press the topic, simply raising a hand to beckon her. "Come here, Bonnie. I want to talk to you."

Nora tactfully slipped out of the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

The click of the latch was soft, leaving only Xander and Bonnie in the room.

Bonnie climbed onto the edge of the bed, her small hand reaching out to wipe the sweat from her father's forehead. "What do you want to talk about, Daddy?"

Xander watched her for a moment before asking, "What do you think of Nora?"

She didn't expect him to touch it. Earlier, she had seen him take a single bite of Martha's soup before pushing it away, so she was fully prepared for this bowl to meet the same fate.

But Xander picked up the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to his lips.

His complexion visibly improved. The deep crease between his brows, carved by a day of fever, finally smoothed out as he savored the taste.

After a long moment, he looked up at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Not bad," he said.

It was rare for Nora to see such a genuine smile from him.

"It was nothing, just a simple meal. I'm glad you like it."