"That's wonderful, sweetheart!" I dried my hands and kneeled down to hug her. "I'm so proud of you."
"Dad helped me practice last night," she said. The wordDadnow flowed naturally from her lips after these past few weeks. "He said I was a natural scientist, just like you."
My heart warmed at the thought of Easton encouraging Casey to see herself in me, even as her enthusiasm for hockey and competitive nature clearly came from him.
"Well, you're definitely smart like me," I agreed, brushing her hair back from her forehead. "Why don't you set up at my desk to do your homework? I have a few more patients this afternoon."
Casey nodded, pulling out her books. "Can I check on Toby first? I brought him some blueberries."
I smiled, unable to resist her enthusiasm. "Don't put your fingers in his cage, remember?"
"I know, I know," she said with the exaggerated patience only a six-year-old could muster. "I'm not a baby."
A familiar swell of love and pride rose as she skipped off toward the rehabilitation room, her footsteps echoing in the corridor. Despite all the complications of the past few months, Casey had remained remarkably resilient. She'd thrived with Easton in her life, soaking up his attention and affection like a plant turning toward the sun.
An hour later, I was updating charts at the reception desk when a commotion erupted outside. Raised voices, car doors slamming, and then a sudden influx of people pushing through the front door.
"Dr. Honors!" a man called out, camera already raised. "Can we get a statement about your relationship with Easton Henley?"
"Is it true you kept his daughter secret for seven years?" another shouted, stalking toward the desk.
Monique jumped to her feet, blocking their path. "This is a private medical facility! You need to leave immediately!"
My heart raced as I counted at least five reporters in our small reception area, cameras clicking, voices shouting, creating chaos. Mrs. Johnson, waiting with her elderly poodle, pressed herself against the wall, her eyes wide, clutching her dog like a lifeline.
"Please leave," I snapped, standing beside Monique with my hands fisted at my sides. "There are sick animals here who don't need this stress."
"Just a couple of questions," the reporter kept going, trying to get past Monique. "The public has a right to know about the Shadow Wolves' star Easton Henley's secret family."
"The public has no right to invade a private medical practice," I countered, reaching for the phone to call 911.
The moment I reached for the phone, a small voice called out from the hallway behind me.
"Mom? What's happening?"
My blood ran cold. Casey stood in the doorway, taking in the chaotic scene with the ringing phones, the shouting voices, the flashing cameras. The reporters swiveled toward her as one.
"That's her!"
"Casey! How does it feel to be Easton Henley's secret daughter?"
"Did you know he was your dad before now?"
Casey paled, backing away from the shouted questions. One particularly aggressive journalist followed her, pushing past me despite my attempt to block him.
"Wait! Just one question for Easton Henley's daughter!"
"Stop!" I shouted, fear rising as Casey ran toward the rehabilitation room where Toby was housed.
Everything slowed as if I were watching in slow motion. Casey, startled by the reporter's advance, bumped hard into Toby's enclosure. The already-agitated raccoon, disturbed by the commotion, hissed and lunged against the cage bars. Casey jumped back with a small scream, her fingers narrowly missing Toby's claws as he swiped through the bars.
I lunged forward, seized Casey, and pulled her away from the cage as the clinic's back door flew open.
Easton
The call from Monique came during film review.
"Reporters broke into the clinic. Casey's scared. Palisade needs you."
