I glance at Willow. She doesn’t seem surprised that my daughter is on a first-name basis with me. And by the look in her eyes, she’s not judging either.
I release a slow breath, crossing the room toward them. I rest my elbow on the counter. My voice tender and low. “Something wrong, sweetheart?”
She nods.
“You want to tell me about it?” I wait for it. The accusations that I never wanted her. That she wasn’t made with love. That—
“I think I did something bad today.”
What? Her?
I glance at the art—clearly an act of rebellion. And the next thing comes out easy. Naturally. Because hell, it’s all I want to do. “Maybe I can help?”
She meets my eyes for another half-second. “A lady asked me about Willow and I told her she’s my nanny.”
I glance at the woman behind her. “Why is that bad?”
“Itfeltbad. Like I shouldn’t have said anything. Like maybe it was just a secret between the three of us for now.”
Kid’s got my instincts.
And while I should be proud, I don’t want to raise a child who doubts everyone.
I look at Willow again, if only as the anchor I need to keep me grounded so I don’t blow a fuse. Glenda used my kid and left her feeling guilty for it. There’s only one way I can see of fixing this.
And that’s to make it OK. To make sure she knows she didn’t betray anyone.
I glance at Willow and it’s clear she’s giving me the choice here. A subtle nod to let me know she’s on board with whatever.
And that kind of support—is exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
Shifting my focus to Ellie, I push a loose curl from out of her face. “You didn’t do anything wrong, cupcake.”
She looks up at me, blinking. “I didn’t?”
My insides tumble over themselves at the hope in her eyes. I release an easy breath and shake my head, taking a seat on the chair next to her.
“You know how we’re working on getting you to live here with me all the time?” I press my forehead to hers. “Because I’m your dad and you’re my favorite girl?”
She smiles and gives a small nod.
“Well, some people might think it’s not good for you to be here if it’s just you and me. Some people think you might need .?.?. more.”
“Like a mommy.”
“Well, yeah. But I know that you and I would do just great, right?”
This time—the nod doesn’t come. Her eyes drift to the space between us.
I swallow hard.Fucking this up already.
I look at Willow and she doesn’t miss a beat, running a hand down Ellie’s arm, grabbing her attention. “Ellie. Why did you bring your stuffed animals here from your grandpa’s house?”
“Because Grandpa can’t take care of them like I can. And I’ll miss them.”
Willow scrunches her nose. “So some people think that your daddy can’t take care of you the way—well, a nanny—or someonelikea mommy—could.”
“What people? Rachel and Ms. Glenda?”
