The chapter is filled with a lot of little-girl antics that make my daughter laugh—and me as well. When we reach the end, her eyes are closing, and I put the book on her side table.
Placing my hand on her head, I kiss her crown. “I’m glad you like it here, and you’re having fun and making friends. I miss you when I’m on the road, but I think about you all the time.”
“It’s okay, Daddy.” She pats my arm. “You’re busy beating all those other teams and doing hat tricks.”
“It’s true.” Her little-girl innocence makes me smile, but I have something else on my mind. “What do you think about Miss Gina?”
“She’s my best new friend. She teaches me all about dogs and how to walk with Peepee, and she even said I could walk in the dog show… after you said it was okay.”
She’s getting so excited, I’m almost sorry I asked. At the same time, I’m deeply satisfied by her reply.
“I love her, too,” I say. “Is that okay?”
Her small lips press and twist before breaking into a big smile. “Yes!” she nods emphatically. “She makes you smile… just like that.” Maddie points her small finger at my face, and I realize Iamsmiling. “Maybe she could come here and stay with us, and you could share your room with her like LB does with Spanky.”
My brows rise. “How would you feel aboutthat?”
“I like it.” She presses her lips together, nodding. “Then I’d have a mommy here on Earth like all my friends do, and not just one up in heaven.”
My throat aches, and I know that feeling. I had it myself when I was her age, a little boy without a mom. I remember how happy I was when Dad told me Britt was going to join our family, and knowing my daughter feels similarly is a huge weight off my chest.
Leaning down, I give her another hug. “I love you, Shortcake.”
She squeezes me back, whispering, “I love you, too, Daddy.”
Gina
She’s still waiting.
I startto reply to her text, then I shove my phone into my pocket and walk out of my bedroom. I make a brief stop by Maddie’s room to be sure she’s asleep, then I go downstairs to Heather’s room to let her know I’m going out for a bit.
She looks up from the book she’s reading to give me a wink. “Don’t feel like you have to come home tonight, Bubba.”
A hissing noise slides through my lips, but I let it go, shaking my head. The anticipation surging in my veins cancels out any minor irritation.
That little blue pouch is still in my pocket, and I’m glad I was able to have that conversation with Maddie tonight. Knowing she’s onboard makes all of this so much better.
Waiting was the right thing to do. The timing wasn’t right earlier. I needed to talk to my daughter, and it was clear Gina wasn’t going to forgive me that easily. I deserved it, which is why I suggested she cut my hair.
It melted the walls. It brought us closer. It showed her how much I need her, and I love having her fingers in my hair. I love having her touch me, take care of me… even if it was fucking torture not to be able to hold her, kiss her, tell her all the things on my mind.
Then our dogs solidified everything. Those crazy canines have known since the day they met this family belongs together.
Gina likes to say dogs are smarter than people. I’m not sure I agree with that, but they do seem to pick up on things quicker.
Now I’m standing on the sidewalk in front of her house. Looking up, I see the light is on in her room, and I jog up the steps, entering the code on the lock and slipping off my boots inside the door.
Soft, yellow light comes from a glowing cube in the corner, and the flowers surrounding her form a fragrant garden. She’s the enchanting creature in the center, holding my heart, my soul, my future, everything in the palm of that slim hand tucked beneath her cheek.
Stepping closer, I notice her eyes are closed. I take a knee, and I see she’s asleep.
For a moment, I drink her in. She’s so beautiful, her soft hair curling on her cheek. I’m torn between needing to touch her and wanting to let her rest.
With a soft inhale, she moves, blinking her eyes open, and when she sees me, she jumps awake, then her face relaxes with a smile.
Reaching up to me, she whispers, “You came.”
“You were waiting.” I lean down, capturing her soft lips with mine.
