Page 64 of Rent Free

“Well, hello there, Forest.” Pepper snagged my boy and pulled him up into her arms. “Those are some nice sandals you have.”

Forest lifted his foot to examine his sandals. “Peas offer.”

He then pointed at me.

“Did your daddy buy those?” Pepper asked, turning him to face me.

“Yes,” he replied. “Peas offer.”

“Police officer?” Pepper asked. “Yeah, he’s a police officer. He’s also your daddy.”

My stomach turned at her words.

Fuck me, but I was someone’s father.

Worry once again started to churn in my gut.

Could I be a good father?

Could I…?

“Daddy.”

That word coming out of my son’s mouth.

That. Fucking. Word.

I opened my eyes to see him staring at me, his hand outstretched.

I walked to him and gently took that hand. “Yes, bud?”

“Andals.” He lifted his foot.

“Yes, sandals,” I confirmed.

“Cookie.”

I grinned.

There was yet another part of me shining through.

“Let me tell you about the peach scones…”

Eventually Maven joined the conversation.

Her eyes had been bouncing between the three of us, a soft smile on her face, the entire time I’d helped Forest choose some treats.

She’d also left us shortly after to go back to her job of helping customers.

Pepper eventually had to help, too, because a bus full of kids came in with their school field trip.

Forest and I moved off to the side, trying to get as much out of the way as we could.

I watched Forest enjoy his treats and was pleasantly surprised when he kept going back to the peach scone like it was his favorite.

It made me feel good that he liked the things that I liked.

Which got me to thinking again about what else we would share.

---