“I know it was bad timing when I left for the case, but I’m hoping that the time apart made it easy for you to think about what you want with a clear mind.”
I nodded because I agreed that it had sucked that he had to leave, but a small part of me was grateful that I was able to think about what I wanted without having to be around him while I did it. It made my decision easy.
“I want to try. I don’t know what that means for us, and I don’t know how it’s going to work, but while you were gone, I felt like there was a small piece of me missing. I haven’t felt that kind of connection with someone before, and that terrifies me because it’s so quick, but if I’ve learned anything in my thirty-four years, it’s that sometimes the scariest decisions are the best ones I’ll ever make.”
Alicia’s face flashed in my mind, and warmth flooded my chest. It was like I could feel her there in this moment, cheering me on for chasing something that could have been the worstdecision in my life, but also could be one of the best ones. She would never get to know what it meant to fall for someone and grow old together, but that doesn’t mean that I should miss out on those opportunities.
She would be upset with me if I kept putting my life on hold. I mean, that was why I had moved to Shadow Heights to begin with. For a fresh start away from all the heartache and painful memories. There’s no reason why my fresh start couldn’t include the man sitting beside me.
“I would love that, Rebekah. I agree that it’s scary and feels like it’s too fast, but I want to take that risk with you. I would be honored to have you as my girl and Little.”
“Okay… Daddy.”
Beau sucked in a breath when that word left my mouth. I understood the feeling, though, because it felt natural falling from my lips. I gasped when a hand touched my foot before I was being pulled across the couch and onto his lap.
“Say it again, please.”
“Okay, Daddy. I want to jump as long as you promise to catch me.”
“Always, Sweets. I’ll always be there to catch you.”
The last word had barely left his mouth before I dropped my lips onto his. The final piece had clicked together, and my world felt settled for the first time in years.
CHAPTER 15
BEAU
DidI think this was going to be easy? Not at all, but I was excited to go on this ride with the sweet girl in my arms right now. Rebekah fit there perfectly, and I knew she would fit into my life just the same.
“Have you got any plans for today?” I asked, snuggling her in closer as if she were going to disappear if I let her go.
She shook her head, and the plan began to slowly form in my mind. Normally, after a case, I would go into the office and sort out any lingering paperwork and start on the armory, but today, there was no desire to bury myself in paperwork.
“Care to spend the day with me?”
“Well, that depends.”
“On what?”
“On what you plan on doing with me.”
I huffed out a laugh and tickled her sides. She was a sassy little thing.
“I was thinking maybe a trip to the mall and some lunch.”
“Can we get ice cream, too?”
“Anything for you, Sweets,” I replied.
“Don’t say that just yet, Daddy. You might regret those words.”
I didn’t think I would. Just like I wouldn’t regret hearing that name fall from her lips. It was music to my ears. A song I had longed to hear for years, but never knew if I would. Now that I had it, I never wanted it to stop.
“Up up!” I said with a quick tap on her bottom. “Time for you to get dressed. If we stay like this, I’ll be tempted to never move again.”
“Oh no, Mr. You just said we could get ice cream. If you think I’m going to let you back out of that, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Once again, I was unable to stop the laugh and eye roll that she brought out. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to her sass. She was going to keep me on my toes, I was sure.
