I grinned. “Nothing wrong with enjoying the show.”
“Kate,” Millie squealed.
He helped her off the stool, and when her feet touched the floor, she barreled toward me. I dropped to my knees and braced for her body to hit mine.
Like the previous day, the hug was different. The weight of possibly losing her was finally gone, and when I wrapped my arms around her, she felt like…mine. She was. I might not have given birth to this girl, but I loved her as much as a mother could love a child.
“Hey, Bug.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Did you have a good sleep?”
She nodded then abruptly pushed out of my embrace. Turning to face Tristan, she bounced on the spot. “Can I tell her? Can I? Please? Pretty, pretty please?”
His chuckle was loud and infectious, and when he faced me, my jaw hit the floor.
“What is that?” I asked, pointing at his chest.
Hiseyes, shining bright with mischief, stayed locked with mine for a few breaths before he lowered his gaze. “Just sending a message.” His dark stare was back on mine. “Like it?”
Like it? I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the big white block letters on his black T-shirt.
Back off SUGA, she’s mine.
I was still staring at it when Millie’s annoyed “Tristaaaan,” bounced off the walls.
He chuckled again. “Sure, princess, go ahead.”
“Kate.” Millie grabbed my hands, more jumping in place ensued. “Tristan said he has abigsurprise for us. We can see it after breakfast.”
“Oh, yeah?” My attention shifted to him. The way he watched us sent a violent tug through my heart. I’d never seen so much adoration on someone’s face.
That pesky sting behind my eyes was back with a vengeance. Taking a deep breath through my nose, I willed my damn emotions to stay in check. There was nothing to cry about.
“What surprise is this?” I’d meant for the question to come out playful, but there was nothing playful in the way the whispered words fell from my lips.
Keeping his unwavering attention on me, he shook his head. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, now, would it?”
Two hours later, we rolled to a stop in front of an unfamiliar house about fifteen miles out of the city. I was stunned that a mere twenty-minute drive could take us to a place that was so peaceful and quiet.
Unlike the tall buildings tightly packed next to each other, the street we were on had houses with spacious yards. Thick carpets of green spread as far as the eye could see. A variety of flowers provided bright pops of color with giant trees offering ample shade for the warmer days.
It was beautiful, and I still had no idea why we were here.
Shifting my attention from the rest of the houses on the street, I focused on the one we were parked in front of. Or rather on the woman waiting on the porch.
I glanced at Tristan. “Friend of yours?”
He didn’t answer. The man just smiled before he got out and took Millie with him. With no other choice than to follow, I opened my door and trailed behind them on the cobblestone path leading to the front door.
“Ana, thank you for coming out and getting everything ready,” he said to the woman when we stepped onto the porch.
As her gaze darted between the three of us, the biggest smile spread across her face. “It’s been my absolute pleasure.” Holding out a set of keys to Tristan, her smile grew even wider. “Welcome home.”
He shook his head and jerked his chin in my direction. Again, he didn’t say a damn word. Ana understood though. She faced me, held out the keys, and repeated her words from a moment ago, “Welcome home.”
My gaze shot to Tristan. Surely, he hadn’t…
“Take the keys, baby.”
Stunned and somewhat in a daze, I held out my hand. Ana dropped them in my palm then said something else I didn’t hear. I was too busy staring at the little pieces of metal.
