By the time the song ends and I sink gracefully to one knee, my chest heaving with each deep breath, I can barely see. It isn’t until Tori rushes over to me, her small hands brushing at something on my face that I realize it isn’t beads of sweat dripping down my cheeks.
It’s tears.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Gideon
“Daddy!”
I watch, grinning, as Victoria runs into my friend’s arms, practically launching herself at him as she wraps her arms around his neck.
Laughing, Maxwell spins her around, holding her close as he presses a kiss to her cheek. “Did you miss me, little thief?”
“Uh-huh.Somuch. But we had so much fun! Miss Evelyn read us stories and taught us the alphabet and we had lunch and then Juliet had to go in timeout and then we had naptime andthenwe got to watch Izzy dance! She’s such a good dancer, Daddy, I wish I could watch her on stage.”
Guilt pricks my heart. I’m sure my Little girl wants to be back on stage as much as Victoria wants to see her there.
Juliet emerges from the front door next, and while she makes a beeline for Jasper, her movements are distinctly slower. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, princess.” Picking his wayward Little girl up, Jasper perches her on his hip. “What's this I hear about you needing a timeout today?”
“Oh my god, Tori!” Turning her head, Juliet glares at her friend. “You’re such a tattletale!”
Jasper lands a sharp swat on Juliet’s thigh, sending her a stern look. “Juliet! That wasn’t nice at all. Victoria was just telling us about her day. Apologize right now.”
“No! Sheisa tattletale and I hate her!”
Uh-oh. Someone is in desperate need of a nap. Or a spanking. Possibly both.
Hurt twists Victoria’s face and tears pool on her lashes. “I’m sorry, Juju. I didn’t mean to be a tattletale.”
“It’s all right, sweetheart. Miss Evelyn would have told me all about it, anyway. Juliet and I are going to have a long talk when we get home and you will get a real apology tonight.”
“You can spank me all you want, I’m not apologizing!”
I have to swallow a laugh at that. Juliet talks a good game, but we all know she’ll do exactly as her Daddy says once he’s lit her bottom up good and proper.
Movement by the front door distracts me from the drama happening around me, and I look over to see Miss Evelyn emerging from the front door holding Isabella’s hand. At first glance, all I see is my sweet little doll, looking a bit worn out from her day, and my heart leaps at the sight of her.
But when I move closer, I see the rims of red around her eyes, and concern sends that same heart racing. “Isabella?” Rushing forward, I scoop her up, cradling her close as she clings to my neck. “What’s wrong, little one? Are you hurt?”
She shakes her head but doesn’t answer, so I look over at Miss Evelyn who steps forward to rub her hand over Isabella’s back. “I’m not sure what’s wrong with her. She wouldn’t talk to me. We had our dance class and she did a wonderful performance of ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ and when she finished, she was crying.”
Again I feel that stab of guilt. Did I do this? I know how much she loves to dance, but I thought bringing her to the island, giving her a chance to teach the other Littles would make up for what she’d lost. But I suppose nothing can really make up for losing a spot in one of the most celebrated ballet companies in the world.
How foolish I’ve been. I’ll have to find a way to make it up to her.
“Thank you, Miss Evelyn. I’ll talk to her tonight and figure out what’s wrong. Can you say goodbye to Miss Evelyn, little one?”
Clinging even more tightly to my neck, Isabella shakes her head and I sigh, sending Miss Evelyn an apologetic look.
“Don’t worry about it,” she says, giving Isabella’s back another gentle rub before turning her smile on me. “Sometimes Little girls just need their Daddies.”
The thought that she needs me, needs my comfort and guidance, eases some of the guilt. With another round of goodbyes for my friends, I carry Isabella over to the waiting car.
Blaine’s expression shifts to one of worry as he holds the door open for us. “Is she all right?”
“Long day, I think. She’ll be better once we get her home.”
