Her pulse picked up.I know we only just confessed that we have feelings for one another, but I love him. I want him to love me back.
“What would you have me carve for you? An elegant swan? A delicate ice skater?” He brushed a few stray pieces of hair from her forehead.
She shivered. His touch set her body afire. All her exhaustion was being replaced by rapid energy. She could bound across a grassy savannah with the speed of the fastest cheetah.
Her arms reached around his neck. “If I could only pick one animal, it would be a sloth.”
“A sloth?” He blinked in confusion.
“That’s our spirit animal. They may be slow, but they’re also friendly and highly intelligent. Our first official date together was the Sloths’ baseball game. They’ll forever hold a special place in my heart.”
“So they’re the animal version of me?” he asked, nuzzling her nose with his.
“Yes?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
He brushed his lips against hers in a kiss. They were soft and warm, like the smooth chocolate outer layer of her favorite candy, a chocolate peanut butter cup. With each bite she took, she was treated to a new and exciting flavor. Individually, the chocolate and peanut butter were delicious, but together, they were the perfect melding of flavors, just like Charlie’s kisses.
Eventually, when they broke apart, he showed her into his guest bedroom. As soon as she climbed under the covers and her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep. She dreamed of Charlie and herself skating together with thousands of glittering stars around them, to the theme music ofBeauty and the Beast.
* * *
“Welcome home, Daddy,” Frankie said two days later, kissing the top of his head and adjusting the blanket on his legs. He was propped up in a recliner chair in one of the ground-floor suites at Suzy’s cottage.
“Frankie, what’s wrong?”
A small tear escaped down her cheek. “Nothing.” She wiped it dry. “I’m just so happy to see you.”
Although her father’s spirits had been high when he was discharged, he’d required Charlie’s help getting into and out of the car. Every movement he took was slow and deliberate. He later confessed that he was still experiencing some bouts of nerve pain. It hit home to see him looking so fragile and vulnerable.
“You saw me at the hospital every day. I haven’t changed. I’m just as handsome as I was before.”
She giggled.
Her dad grinned. “Remember, you can’t keep a Navy man down. We’re built to last.”
“I’m glad.” They hugged. The sharp hairs of his beard tickled her cheek. As they broke apart, she asked, “Are you sure you don’t mind staying at the cottage? It was Suzy’s plan. I can take you home if you’d prefer.”
Dad shook his head. “The cottage is perfect. I can’t think of another place I’d rather be.” “Suzy has it all arranged. She, Charlie, Leslie, and I are going to take turns helping you out whenever you—”
He held up his hand. “About that.”
“Dad?”
“Suzy-kins and I spoke about it at the hospital yesterday. As kind as you kids were to offer, I don’t want, nor do I need, any of you three to play nursemaid to me.”
“But the doctor said—”
“Honey, I know what the doctor said. I was there.” He took hold of her hand and squeezed it. “I’m feeling much, much better than I was last week. I’ll be back in fighting form before you know it. I only need one person to take care of me, and that’s Suzy.”
Her stomach lurched. “Suzy? Not me?”
“Suzy,” he repeated. “I promise, I’m not replacing you with her. Our bond is special. You are my daughter. My baby girl. It’s just that unlike you, my little princess, Suzy is retired. She won’t be interrupting her life to take care of me.”
“But Dad, I’m your daughter. It’s my job to take care of you. You wouldn’t be inconveniencing me at all.”
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “Because a little birdy mentioned to me that you’d decided to give up on your Senior Pairs test.Andthat you were taking extended leave from youractualjob.”
