Page 248 of Guardian Daddy

She shook her head. “You stay and talk to your friends. I know where I’m going.”

He eyed her for a long moment. “You need to go home.”

“We haven’t even been here an hour.”

“Cate,” he said warningly. “Tell me the truth.”

“I’ll be all right. I just want a short breather.” And her head was thumping.

“I’ll take you outside.”

“Ethan. I’m all right. Just a few minutes.”

He didn’t look happy, but he nodded.

She headed into the powder room and put some cool water on the inside of her wrists. It still didn’t help. And she didn’t want to stay in here. Maybe some air would help.

Walking from the powder room, she headed toward the door off the kitchen. Stepping out onto the porch, she frowned as she saw someone disappear into the trees.

Someone small with dark hair. Carrying a Nerf gun.

What was Zippy up to?

Should a seven-year-old go off on her own . . . with a Nerf gun?

She decided to follow her. Rushing to the trees, she walked into the forest. But Cate wasn’t used to navigating a forest and soon she was lost.

Oh God.

She was going to be in trouble when Ethan went looking for her.

“Zippy? Zippy, are you here?”

“What you doing following me?”

With a gasp, she jumped and turned, her hand on her heart. There stood the little girl, her gun aimed at Cate.

“I was worried you might get lost.”

Zippy tipped her head to one side. “Yeah? Do you know where you’re going?”

With a sigh, Cate shook her head. “No, sadly, I have no idea. Ethan is not going to be happy when he discovers I’m gone. I was only going outside for a few minutes to get some air. Now, I’m lost. Do you know the way home?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t be out here if I didn’t. Royal and Baron took me exploring the first day I arrived.”

They had?

“Are you supposed to be out here alone, though?”

Zippy narrowed her gaze at her. “You gonna tell?”

“I don’t believe so. If you take me back to the house.”

Zippy eyed her, then grinned. “I like you.”

“You do?”

“Uh-huh.” Zippy nodded.

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