Tori’s wordsstay with me, following me into my dreams where I see myself as a slightly taller version of her. Laughing and playing with Axel and his siblings, letting them push me on a swingset, running from them as they try to catch me in a game of tag.
I wake with those dream-memories still lingering in my mind, and an ache deep in my chest. Could that be my reality, if I gave into them? If I let myself just be Axel’s Little girl and stopped worrying about getting back to the life I used to have?
What am I really missing out on, anyway? An arranged marriage to a man I barely know, who will expect me to cook and clean and take care of the children I’m not even sure I want, day in and day out? I’d resigned myself to that life, because it was all I’d ever known, all I’d ever been taught to want.
But here was Axel and his giant, loud, loving family, ready to give me something more. A life where I would be pampered and spoiled and protected at all costs. All it will cost me is my freedom.
I’m almost convinced it might be worth the price. Because what freedom would I have if I returned to my old life anyway?
After breakfast, we walk Tori and Uncle Max to the helicopter waiting in a large clearing about a half mile from the house. Torihugs me hard, and I’m surprised to find tears burning in my eyes when she promises to introduce me to all the animals on the farm when I come visit. Uncle Max and Axel hug goodbye too, not one of those quick, back-slapping hugs men usually give each other, but a genuine embrace that speaks to the deep affection between them.
And then they’re off, headed back to the airport where I’m told a private jet awaits to whisk them back to the island.
I miss them already.
“Don’t cry, little one. We’ll go visit them soon, I promise.”
Sniffling back tears, I look up at him, this man I call Daddy with his huge bushy beard and shoulders that look like they could carry the weight of the whole world on them. “Pinkie-swear?”
A grin spreads across his face as he hooks his finger with mine. “Pinkie-swear. I already talked to your Uncle Max about making a trip down there in a couple months, once you’ve had some more time to settle in.”
“Really?”
“Yup. I think you’ll enjoy the island. There’s even a waterpark we can go play at while we’re there.”
Excitement beats at my chest, so I let it come, let it overwhelm me as I bounce on my toes in the snow. “Call the helicopter back! I wanna go now! Can we Daddy, please, please,please?”
“Soon, little one. I promise.”
Clearly he’s made up his mind, so I heave a dramatic sigh and nod. “Okay, Daddy.”
“That’s my good girl.” Plucking me out of the snow, he helps me wiggle onto his back, with my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. “We should get back home before your Auntie Gray sends a search party after us.”
I can’t help but giggle at the image of stern Auntie Gray barking orders at everyone, telling them which sections of the woods to search first. “She would, too, wouldn’t she?”
“Absolutely. She’s rather fond of you, little runaway.”
“I’m pretty fond of her, too.” Surprisingly, it’s true. Despite the circumstances that brought me here, I really do like Auntie Gray and my uncles. I don’t particularly like the spankings they keep threatening me with, but even that is starting to feel like a normal part of life.
“Hmm. Does that mean you don’t want to try driving the snowmobile today?”
His teasing question reminds me of our deal. I can try driving it by myself, but if I can’t make it down the hill in a straight line, I get another whipping with his thick leather belt.
If Idomake it, however…
Freedom.
But after my visit with Tori, that freedom isn’t as enticing as it once was. Part of me still aches for it,demandsit, but the rest of me is thinking about what Tori said. About how she lives a life free of responsibilities, where her every want and desire is met, unless it’s something that might put her in danger.
So maybe instead of the snowmobile, I should ask for something else. Put Tori’s version of her life to the test. “No, Daddy. Could we have a tea party instead?”
“A tea party?” Surprise colors his voice. “Sure, baby, we can have a tea party. Or would you rather have a hot chocolate party?”
“Yes! Will all the uncles and Auntie Gray come?”
“If you ask, I don’t see how they can say no.”
As it turns out, he’s right. Which is how I find myself locked into a highchair at the dining room table in one of my fancy new dresses with a matching tiara on my head, ordering Uncle Eli topass out the lemon bars he made fresh this morning. Uncle Eli looks at Axel, his brows raised, but Daddy just shrugs.
