“No, Brookie. It wasn’t a test. This was your daddy’s fear exploding. I should have trusted that you’d stay true to your promise.”
“That’s right. You should have trusted me.”
“Would you come out here so I can apologize?” Caden asked, needing to see her. He settled cross-legged on the floor next to the crib.
Seconds clicked by in the silent room. Finally, the bedspread twitched as a hand pulled it to the side. Brooklyn peeked out. Her eyes widened upon seeing him so close to her. Immediately, she scooted out.
Caden scooped her up in his arms and set her on his lap. He kissed her softly before saying, “Hi, sweetheart. I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I wasn’t sure what time you’d be home. Then someone banged on the door as they tried to get inside.”
“I bet you thought it was Brent. That was frightening. How about if I come in through the garage from now on? I’ll always be here around five. Today, I’m a bit late because I had to stop for something.”
“What?” popped out of her mouth before she quickly said, “Sorry. That’s not my business.”
“You can ask me anything, Brookie. I may not be able to answer if it’s about work or the team, but I’ll share what I can.How about if I show you what I picked up in a few minutes? I need to hold you now.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Caden squeezed her tight and couldn’t resist kissing her again. She had such a sweet nature. “I missed you today. Did you miss me?”
She leaned on his chest and nodded. “Fluffikins missed you a lot too.”
“He’ll be excited to learn that I ordered a food delivery with some special treats for him.”
“Fluffikins doesn’t like carrots,” she told him, obviously guessing what he had purchased.
“A bunny that doesn’t eat carrots? No way. I guess we’ll have to eat them for him.”
She shook her head vigorously. “Not me.”
“That means more yummy carrot muffins for me.”
“Carrot muffins? Are those good?” she asked, giving him the side-eye.
“Oh, yeah. Perhaps you’d try a taste for me? Just to see if Fluffikins might like them,” he suggested.
“Maybe.”
Caden knew that was the best he would get. “Thank you, sweetheart. Did you find the note I left you about breakfast and lunch?”
She hesitated slightly before answering. “Yes. I’m sorry I was such a lazybones this morning. I should have gotten up when you did.”
“No way. My day starts way too early. Did you sleep well?”
“I don’t think I moved last night. That… That bed is very comfortable.”
He loved the pink tinge on her cheeks as she bumbled with what to call the crib. “I’m so glad. Was the bed in your furnished apartment bad?”
“No. It was okay. This one seems so secure. I wasn’t scared at all last night.”
“It’s been a long time since you felt safe, hasn’t it?” he asked.
“I try not to think about that,” she told him.
“Let’s go see what I stopped to pick up.” Caden boosted her to her feet and rose to take her hand.
Guiding her down the hallway, he pointed to the sack on the couch. “There it is!”
