Swiftcurrent Creek The truth is

He laughed—it was hard not to. Arric had that effect on him—and he loathed the thought of not having this man as his second in command. His other hand—a best friend.

Still, it was sobering when the blue-eyed man asked him for the truth, and he stilled for a moment—blowing at a stray piece of cattail seed that floated just above him as he lay on his back—clouds above still drifting by.

Life still drifted by.

“Like I lost my first born daughter,” he answered, the honesty of it raw in his throat.