Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
As I wring my hands, Caleb ponders my plea for an eternal moment.
Finally, he exhales and says, “I’ll stay in Prairie Springs until it’s time for us to leave for the custody hearing in LA. That way, Raine can get to know me before then, on her home turf, surrounded by people she loves and trusts.”
I exhale an ocean of relief. It’s not the length of time I begged him for; but at least it’s better than Caleb forcing Raine to come with him to LA tomorrow. Plus, a lot can happen in a month. Maybe, when Caleb learns what parenthood actually entails, how hard and thankless the job can be at times, he’ll realize he’s more than happy to leave Raine with me in Prairie Springs, after all, leaving him free to visit his daughter, whenever the mood strikes him.
Also, by the time the custody hearing rolls around, if I’m not thoroughly convinced Caleb is good for Raine, whether as her full-time father or a regular visitor, I’ll be free to tell the judge my honest feelings then, no matter what Caleb currently thinks I’m going to say on his behalf at the hearing.
“Okay,” I say, nodding decisively. “Thank you for changing your plans for Raine’s sake.”
“I only want what’s best for her.” He begins to say more, but before he gets his next words out, his gaze shifts sharply to a spot behind me and to my left. Instantly, the hardness in Caleb’s green eyes vanishes, replaced by something I’d call wonder and awe.
Fuck. I turn around, and, as suspected, Raine is standing behind the screen door, smashing her little face against it like she always does, so her nose rides up and makes her look like Peppa Pig.
“Auntie Aubbey?” Raine squeaks out. “All done.”
“Okay, honey. I’ll be right in.”
I turn back around to address Caleb, but he’s fixated on Raine and practically vibrating with excitement.
“Hello, Raine,” Caleb coos softly, his deep voice quavering. “I’m Caleb. It’s really great to meet you.”
Chapter 6
Caleb
Raine.
My child.
My daughter.
She’s stunning. Breathtaking. An angel on Earth.
Peeking over a fence at her didn’t have nearly the same impact as staring into her big, blue eyes from a short fifteen yards away, even if it’s only through a screen door. I feel like I could topple over from the torrent of euphoria flooding me.
She’s staring at me. Not replying to my greeting. So, I try again.
“Hi, Raine. I’m—"
Without warning, Raine scampers away from the screen, shrieking like she’s seen a velociraptor.
“Nice,” Aubrey hisses. “You scared her to death.”
“By saying hello?”
“While looking like the Grim Reaper! She’s not used to men, Caleb. She’s only met two in her life, other than doctors: my father and Claudia’s ex. And neither of those guys are covered in tattoos all over their neck and arms.” Aubrey crosses her arms over her chest defiantly, and I can’t help thinking it’s a good look for her. Defiance. Although, honestly, I’m beginning to think there’s not an expression in Aubrey’s repertoire that could possibly be a bad look for her. Up close and standing still, she’s even hotter than I realized while watching her in motion from afar.
“You don’t need to go to her?” I ask, motioning toward the screen door.
“I can hear her singing in there. That means she’s okay and probably playing with her dolls.”
I shift my weight. “Okay, so . . . if she’s good now, let’s go in.”
Aubrey shakes her head. “Let’s give her a few minutes to process.”
I close my eyes, begging the universe for patience. When I open them, Aubrey looks brazenly disdainful of me. “How long was Claudia with her ex?”
Aubrey scowls. “Why do you care?”
“Just wondering if he was good with Raine.” I’ve got no grounds to feel jealous or protective about another man possibly getting close to my kid, but it’s what I’m feeling, nonetheless. If this ex of Claudia’s treated my daughter like anything other than a princess, I’ll hunt him down and give him some free dental work.
“Ricky was fine with her. Not amazing, not terrible. He’s irrelevant. All I’m saying is you’ve got your work cut out for you, if you’re serious about becoming a real daddy to Raine because . . .”
I don’t hear the rest. Once Aubrey said the word daddy, my brain short-circuited. Holy shit. It didn’t occur to me Raine might call me daddy one day. But now that Aubrey’s used the word, it’s all I want. The ultimate goal before this forced month in Prairie Springs is done.
After finishing her rant, whatever it was, Aubrey sighs and says, “I’ll go check on her now. Wait here, and I’ll call you when it’s a good time to come in.” She turns to leave but abruptly stops on the porch. “When you say hello to her again, this time smile at her, for fuck’s sake.”