“My surprise is in Daddy’s office?”
The door swings open, revealing my Daddy on the other side, grinning as he holds his arms out for Papa to hand me off to him. “No, kitten. Your surprise is inouroffice.”
For a moment, all I can do is stare at the completely redesigned space. Half of the office is still the same, but half has been transformed into my dream office. Dark bookshelves are stacked against walls painted a deep purple, and there’s a matching desk in front of the shelves. On top of the desk is a brand-new computer, and I wiggle out of Daddy’s arms with a happy squeal.
“Oh! Oh, it’s perfect!” Sighing, I run my hands over the gleaming wood. “I love it so much. But… what do I need an office for?”
“For this.” Opening the top drawer of the desk, he pulls out a leather-bound journal and flips it open to the first page.
The Island, a novel by Natalie Hawthorne
My mouth falls open as I read the words written at the top of the page in his careful script. “I don’t understand.”
“I talked to our family. There will be rules, and all the names will need to be changed, of course. Some of the details as well.”Cupping my chin, he forces my head up to meet his dark gaze. “But I know how important your work is to you, kitten. It might not win you the Pulitzer, but at least you’ll be able to tell your stories.”
“Really? I can write about the island?” Excitement bubbles in my veins at the prospect.
“With some caveats, as discussed. But yes, baby, you can write about the island.”
With another happy squeal, I throw myself into his arms. “Thank you, Daddy, thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“You’re welcome, kitten. I want you to be happy here, and this was the best way I knew how.”
“What about my name? Why does it say Hawthorne? We're not married.”
“Not yet. But our lumberjack friends will be here soon, and as it happens, Elias is an ordained minister. It won’t be a big wedding, but?—”
“I don’t care. I don’t need a big fancy thing with a big cupcake dress. I just need you, Daddy.”
“Good. Because you’re mine, kitten. Always and forever.”
Grinning up at him, I start to edge toward the office door. His eyes narrow as he watches me and a familiar thrill races up my spine.
“Yours, huh?” I ask, putting a taunting note into my voice that has his eyes narrowing even further.
“Yes, Little girl.Mine.”
“Gotta catch me first.”
Spinning on my heel, I take off down the hall, my squeals of laughter echoing off the walls as I lead him on a chase through every room of the house. Until, at last, he corners me in our office again and bends me over my brand-new desk. Where he reminds me exactly what it means to be his naughty little kitten.
Epilogue
Donovan
Frowning at the computer screen in front of me, I click on the slide I’m currently editing for my presentation in New York next week. Something isn’t quite right, but my assistant is currently down with the flu, leaving me to fend for myself with this infernal program.
I need a break. Five minutes to close my eyes and let my brain rest, and maybe then I’ll be able to focus.
Just as I lean back in my chair, there’s a tentative knock on my office door.
“Come in, Camilla.”
I don’t even have to look up to know it’s her. There are only a handful of people on the island who would dare interrupt me while I’m working, and the others who would be so bold wouldn’t knock so lightly.
“Doctor D, I need to talk to—Oh. Sorry, I didn’t realize… never mind.”
There was a confidence in her tone when she first opened the door, but now it gives way to uncertainty. Consider my curiosity piqued.
