Chapter Nineteen
Kendrick wasn’t sure what he was doing out there.
That was a tough spot for him to be in, too. He was the type of guy that didn’t make a move until he was absolutely certain it was the right thing to do. As a cop, he’d learned to trust his gut. But he’d also learned his instincts weren’t enough. Soley relied on, they could lead one to reckless and rash decisions.
So, he tried to also go by the data. Let it confirm—or counter—what his gut was telling him.
Right now, though, he was flying by the seat of his pants. He hadn’t even rehearsed what he’d say to Tonya. He’d simply looked out the back window, saw her swinging, and decided he needed to say something to her.
Leaving things alone after the events of the day just didn’t seem right to him.
“You need someone to push you?”
The question surprised even him as it left his lips.
“Uh, well… yeah. I guess.”
He nodded even though she couldn’t see it because he was now behind her. “How high do you want to go?”
“Kind of high. But nothing scary.”
“I won’t overdo it. You can trust me.”
He was shocked at how strangely right it felt when he put his hands on her back. A lump formed in his throat. Guilt gripped him.
Should he notice things like that when he had a date with Samantha that evening? He had been so clear with her about his intentions. They’d even kissed last night. True, it wasn’t as if they were married or anything, but still… he wasn’t a cheater. He’d never betray his Little girl. He’d die before he hurt her.
Tonya picked up speed on the swing as it rose higher. Kendrick was careful not to push her too hard, but rather just lightly tap her back each time she came toward him.
“I bet you think I spanked you because I don’t like you.”
He let her chew on the statement for a moment, not rushing her response. It took her a full minute to say anything.
“Yeah. The thought crossed my mind.”
He kept lightly pushing her, the swing squeaking in rhythm with their movements.
“That’s not the case at all. I see potential in you, Tonya. I think you’re an amazing person. I haven’t quite figured out why you act the way you do. But I know there’s a reason. It’s not who you are, though. Not truly.”
Being behind her, he couldn’t see her face, but her body language indicated he’d struck a chord. He wondered if she was crying.
“You… don’t know anything about me.”
“True. But I was a cop. I had to read people every day. Sometimes my intuition met the difference between life and death. Literally. I had to counter that with not being overly impulsive, but…” He chuckled. “What I’m trying to say is… I think I have a pretty good handle on folks. And something tells me there’s more to you than meets the eye. I believe you’re destined for great things. What I did today was, well, as strangeas it sounds, for your own good. Think of it as a little help along your journey.”
She laughed, but it didn’t sound resentful. “My bottom still stings.”
“Good.”
“Hey!”
“Well, maybe you learned something from it. And maybe soon you’ll… find a Daddy… to continue your education. To help you even more.”
The swing suddenly stopped. She cast a glance over her shoulders. In that moment, those blue eyes seemed so familiar! They also seemed innocent—which was a far cry from how Tonya usually appeared.
She was anything but innocent!
“Is there any chance that you’re my Daddy?” she asked.
