Page 22 of Changing Tides

I wrap my arms around her and lift her into the air.

“I missed you so much,” I bellow as I squeeze her tightly.

“I missed you too.”

She squirms as I pepper kisses all over her chubby cheeks.

Once I’m all filled back up with baby-girl love and giggles, I look out to see Amiya admiring the Corvette.

“Nice ride. Not sure how you plan to get a car seat into it, but I’m digging the rock-star vibes.”

“Yeah, I didn’t really think that one through,” I grumble.

I called the man at the rental company once I’d already driven away, asking if I could switch vehicles. He told me how to disengage the front passenger airbag and told me that he’d have an SUV available in a couple of weeks if I wanted to trade.

“Well, at least the speed limit in this godforsaken place looks to be twenty-five across the board. You’re probably safe,” she says as she retrieves Leia’s purple suitcase from the back seat of her Mercedes.

She’s been less than enthusiastic about our move. When we left New York, she was hoping that we’d land in Atlanta. Truth be told, so was I. I applied for every opening at the Georgia Aquarium, but I was either overqualified or not the right fit. The lead team specialist is interested in me for an aquarist position that is coming available at the end of the year, so I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

“It’s not that bad. I think once you have a chance to look around, you might like it here,” I say as she gives me a one-armed hug.

“Don’t you dare fall in love with Bumfuck, Egypt,” she warns.

“Bad word!” Leia scolds.

“Sorry, runt. Auntie Miya is just joking.”

No, I’m not, she mouths silently to me.

I lead them inside and down the hallway to the room that Leia will be calling her own for the next six months.

She immediately runs to the big white canopy bed and jumps on it.

“What do you think, kiddo?” I ask.

“It’s a princess bed,” she squeals.

The moment I saw the bed with the sheer white fabric tied back, I knew she would be ecstatic.

“I have another surprise for you,” I say. “Follow me.”

She hops off the mattress and sprints over to take hold of my hand. Her brown curls bounce with anticipation.

Amiya rolls her eyes as she falls in behind us. I lead them out the back door and down the steps.

“Whoa,” Amiya mutters as she gets sight of the water and pier.

“Nice, right?” I say as I nudge her in the side.

“It’s okay, I guess.”

I chuckle as we round the side of the house to the white picket fence that surrounds the garden.

Leia gasps as she peeks over the gate to the treehouse.

I go down on one knee and whisper in her ear, “It’s your very own fairy garden.”

Her eyes go wide. “Do fairies live here?”

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