Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
His voice was quiet but edged with warning. “We’ll talk about it when we get home.”
Sage crossed her arms, still fuming. “She deserved it.”
Grady didn’t even look at her. “Probably. But you made a scene in public with a woman you didn’t even know. My job is to keep my Little girl safe—even when she’s her own worst enemy.”
Sage blinked back her tears. “What are you going to do when we get back to the ranch? I know I’m in trouble.”
“Oh, you are,” he agreed. “You most definitely are.”
Chapter Twelve
Grady drove down the dirt road to the ranch house, everything that had happened at the school fresh in his mind. Thankfully, picking up the chicks had gone a lot faster than he’d expected, so he was already in the school parking lot when Fiera had called him in a panic, alerting him to what was going down with his Little girl.
Even as he’d nodded to Joy as she walked past him to keep an eye on Rose, Grady had heard the commotion as soon as he walked through the front doors of the school. It grew louder with each step he took as he raced to her. Standing just inside the doorway of the classroom, he’d stopped, realizing he’d misjudged the situation.
His wildfire had everything under control. Except maybe her temper. She was a magnificent sight to behold with her fire-red hair going everywhere and her finger pointed at Harriet—the most venomous snake of a woman he’d ever known—like she was ready to fight the devil himself. All for his daughter.
He’d never been prouder of anyone in his life.
His wildfire never ceased to surprise him. Wild and free, fun and sassy, sweet and loving… and when it came to Rose, as ferocious as a tiger. She was unlike any woman he’d ever known.
The moment she heard someone speak ill of his, no, of their Rosie, Sage had gone full mama bear, all flashing eyes and sharp tongue. She’d refused to back down even an inch. Not letting Harriet get a word in had to be a first for the woman. Sage had no idea who the woman in that classroom was. She just knew someone had dared to attack Rose, and that had been enough.
In that moment he knew the truth of who Sage was to him. There was no ignoring it anymore.
Sage had worked her way into every facet of his home. His daughter’s heart, and, whether he wanted to admit it or not, straight into his own. He could no longer picture a life without Sage. She kept him on his toes and filled his life with joy. She was so different from anyone he’d ever known, but she was perfect for him.
And she needed him, too, in ways no one ever had. She needed his rules, his structure, his firm hand… and damn if he didn’t need to be the one to give it to her.
He wanted to love her, care for her, and yes, spank that sassy little bottom red when she earned it. Her playful, mischievous Little side was now dear to him. And when she was bold and full of fire, he loved her just as much.
There, he’d finally acknowledged what he’d known for a while… he loved her.
Right now, the only thing on his mind—besides how painfully hard he was—was how much he needed to show her his appreciation. To pull her close, kiss her until she melted, and finally tell her exactly how he felt.
Once they’d arrived at the house, he killed the engine and just sat there. He had to focus on convincing his hands to release their death grip on the steering wheel.
Sage sat beside him, cheeks still flushed from her outburst at the school, fingers twisting in her lap. She kept throwing him worried glances. He should tell her she wasn’t in trouble, but in the state he was in, he wasn’t sure he could get the words out.
His chest felt like it was wrapped in a vice. Fuck him, he hadn’t panicked over talking to a woman since he was in junior high. It hadn’t been an issue with Tricia, but with Sage… she was different. He had no idea how she would respond to everything he planned to say. Getting this right was important. Too important for him to muck it up.
He unbuckled her seatbelt, still blown away by what she’d done. His little wildfire had stood up for his daughter without hesitation, ready to go to war for Rose even when it wasn’t her fight. That kind of loyalty, that kind of love… it cracked something open inside him he’d thought he’d lost forever.
He helped her out of the truck and led her straight into the house. He guided her to his bedroom. It was large with a sitting area and a fireplace. The door shut behind them with a soft click. He then led her to his large leather recliner in front of the fireplace. Taking a seat, he pulled her into his lap.