Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
I took a step back to find Colin hopping from foot to foot beside us.
It felt like both confusion and pain that laced Daisy’s being, and she cut her attention up to me in question.
How?
Because I’d lost my family. Destroyed it.
It roiled between us like a disorienting fog.
The truth that we really didn’t know each other anymore.
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, but rather than turning on my heel and shutting myself off the way I normally did, I muttered, “Not by blood, but there are some people here who I consider family.”
It came out sounding like guilt. Maybe an apology.
Daisy blinked, and fuck, was it comfort that moved through her features?
“That’s great news,” she forced out, her words directed at Colin. “I can’t wait to meet them. Now, why don’t you go on and get to the table? I’m going to grab the rest of our food so we can eat.”
He scampered off and joined his sisters at the table, while Daisy turned her back to me and grabbed a plate from the counter.
Could feel her contemplating. The confused whip of her spirit.
When she turned around, her expression had twisted in emphasis. Reaching out, she brushed her fingertips down my arm.
A fire burned through me at the contact.
“I’m so happy, Cash.” She whispered it low enough so the children wouldn’t hear. “I’m so happy to know you weren’t alone.”
Except there was sadness knitted in the words, too.
She wound around the island and pinned a bright smile on her face, walking barefoot to the table where her three children were grinning like we just told them we were going to Disneyland. She settled down and sent a soft smile over at me.
Woman so stunning I couldn’t breathe.
My mind fucked up and questioning everything.
“So how do we go about this?” I asked quietly as I loaded plates into the dishwasher while Daisy rinsed them in the sink.
The kids were in the living area fighting over which cartoon they were going to watch.
Air puffed from Daisy’s nose, and she gave a slight shake of her head. “I don’t even know. All my plans were wrapped up in convincing you that I never made it that far.”
Self-deprecation filled her gentle smile.
God, she was pretty. Felt like the drive of a knife through my chest every time I looked at her.
I blew out some of the strain, trying to keep my shit together and talk about this rationally. The same way as I did whenever I made plans with my crew.
Like it was business.
Detached yet focused.
Disconnected yet wholly committed.
“Which means you didn’t think you would?” A slight chuckle rolled out.
So much for professional.
Soft amusement swirled through her. “I honestly didn’t know what I would find when I came here. But once you discovered us on your property, I was pretty sure my chances were dwindling fast.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Didn’t know how the fuck it came out playful.
She knocked her shoulder into mine, which meant she pretty much only hit me mid-arm, before she handed me another rinsed plate. “Oh, come on, you know we found a wild beast in the forest. A big, grumpy giant.”
I grunted, though there was nothing irritated or sore about it. “Am not.”
“Am not?” she teased, canting me a wry grin.
My laugh was slow and quiet, then some of the easiness was draining out. “Don’t spend a lot of time with other people, Daisy.”
She looked at me in question, silently urging me to continue.
“Even with my crew who I met in LA after I left West Virginia, I keep my distance. An outsider always looking in. It’s rare that any of them come here. Usually only if they need something from me. Their children have never even visited. So, it’s safe to say, this is all new for me.”
“I guess running from my ex and begging my old best friend who I haven’t seen in years to marry me and start adoption proceedings for my children is new for me, too.” It was all a tease.
“Just a small ask,” I returned, the softest smile tweaking the edge of my mouth.
“I’m so grateful,” Daisy suddenly rushed, peeking up at me.
All the casualness evaporated.
“Only doing it because I know it’s not going to come to what you’re worried about. Won’t let that happen. Not to you or to them. They need their mother, and I’m the last person who should act as their guardian.”
Her brow pinched. “I don’t believe that.”
“You don’t know me.”
“And you don’t know my ex-husband.”
Rage ticked through my muscles, but I held it back for the time when I got to use it.
“Okay, fine, I’m the second to last person who should act as father for your children.”
Father.
My chest burned.
A buzz of affection rolled out of her, and she knocked her shoulder into mine again, lightly jostling me to the side. “You’re wrong, Cash. You’re pretty amazing with them, especially if you haven’t really spent any time with kids before.”