“What do you like to drink?” he asks. “Do you want water? Gatorade?”
My eyes light up. “A soda?”
“Not for right now, but when we stop for dinner, you can have one then. Water or Gatorade?”
My nose scrunches up at the mention of those. “I really want a soda though. Water and Gatorade are nasty.”
“I’ll get one of each and you can sip them,” he says as he gets out of the car.
I stare at his muscular back, annoyance bubbling inside of me. I have to convince him to go on his flight tomorrow so I can eat and drink whatever I want on this trip. No soda? Who does he think he is?
“I’m going to go get some snacks and drinks and I’ll be back. Stay in the car.”
I recline my seat and take a deep breath, closing my eyes.
“Everything is going to be okay,” I whisper to myself. “You can get him to take the flight, then you can drive to Montana. It’s all going to work out.”
Hugging Billie to my chest, my whole body relaxes the longer I sit here. Maybe I can take a little nap while I wait for him. It won’t hurt me.
CHAPTER 4
TOBIAS
“Thanks,” I say as I grab the bag and head out of the station.
I already know this is going to be a long trip. Mila is arguing with every little thing I say, but I don’t blame her. After hearing from Aiden that she’s been on her own for over fifteen years, she has a certain way that she does things and I’m encroaching in her space.
But she’s going to have to get over it. I’m here now and there is no way I’m ever going to let her be on her own again.
The first time I saw her sitting at the table in the coffee shop, my protective instincts roared to life. She wasn’t paying attention to any of her surroundings, and let’s not forget that she didn’t even try to get me to leave her alone when I called her name.
I stop by her door and just stare at her sleeping form. I was wondering when she was going to fall asleep. Didn’t think it would be now, but happiness swirls inside of me.
“Good,” I mumble and gently open the door, placing the snacks and drinks in the backseat.
I finish pumping the gas quickly before getting in, looking over at her once again. She looks so peaceful clutching her stuffed animal to her chest as she sleeps.
“Don’t worry,” I gently say. “Daddy is here to take care of you now.”
I pull out of the gas station and head toward the hotel. In no time, I’m flagging down one of the workers before handing them my key.
“Can you get my bag from upstairs, room two hundred and two? It’s already packed and there’s nothing else,” I say. “I don’t want to leave her alone in the car.”
The worker nods and walks into the hotel. I pull up Aiden’s phone number as I wait patiently.
“Hello?” Aiden answers. “Is something wrong?”
“No, just letting you know that we’re heading your way. I’ll stop in five hours to get dinner and find a hotel to stay at for the night. Mila is sleeping right now.”
“She’s sleeping?” Aiden asks in disbelief. “Are you sure she is?”
“Yes, she hasn’t moved an inch, her breathing is very even, and she looks very relaxed,” I reply. “Why? What’s wrong with her sleeping? She desperately needs it from what I can see.”
“She just never sleeps in the car. Any time we’ve been driving a long distance, she never sleeps in the car. No matter how exhausted she is,” he whispers. “Take care of her, please. She must trust you a lot and feel comfortable if she’s sleeping in the car.”
I look over at Mila and just watch her for several minutes. Something inside of me swells hearing that she must feel comfortable around me.
“Don’t worry, she’s with me now,” I reply. “I’ll take good care of her.”
