And right now, it wasn’t Cole I was on the phone with, but Madalyn.
Hurriedly, I asked, “What do you need?”
“How far away are you?” she asked.
“Almost ten minutes,” I said.
She sighed, “Okay, can you hurry?” Then she raced out with, “But be careful.”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me, and said, “You got it, sweetheart. I’m on my way.”
I may have broken a few laws to get there sooner.
But my girl needed me.
Therefore, if I had gotten a ticket, I would have paid the fine with a smile on my face.
Once I parked my car, I hoofed it to pay for my ticket, only for the woman to smile at me and tell me that my ticket was already taken care of.
I frowned.
I started to open my mouth to ask her, but she beat me to it. “Mr. McKinnon.”
To that, I smiled.
Then I made my way through the bleachers.
My eyes immediately scanned for Madalyn.
Seeing her with her head bowed near Cole and Bronson, I made my way over to them.
Almost as if the three of them had felt me coming, they all looked in my direction.
Cole’s face showed relief.
So did Madalyn’s.
But what was written on Bronson’s face.... well... that I couldn’t explain.
Even if I wanted to.
But that was neither here nor there.
He wasn’t the important one right now.
Madalyn was, and so was Cole.
Therefore, I squeezed my way in between the two of them, reached over the chain-link fence that surrounded the field, and wrapped her in my arms.
And in her ear, I whispered, “You are unlike anyone I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You’re sweet. You’re kind. You’re loyal. You’re fierce. You’re strong. You’re brave. You are limitless. Like the love I have for you. Like the love your father and brother have for you. Forget that she is here and go out there with a smile on your face. Okay?”
“Really? You really think all those things about me?” she asked softly.
Since I wanted her to see the sincerity on my face, I let go of her and locked my gaze with hers.
I winked, “Have I ever lied to you or let you down?”
She shook her head, “No.”
