Page 90 of The Sandbar saga

It was realizing that he deserved to live separate from her and let go of his responsibilities. He'd sacrificed his life to raise her, not only financially, but emotionally. She'd been a demanding child. A needy child. A selfish child when it came to Race.

He was hers, and she wouldn't allow anyone else close to him.

As she enjoyed watching Callie with Race, she found herself sharing his attention. She inhaled deeply. Callie was theirs to share. She'd known that since finding out that she was pregnant.

Race stood on the other side of the pool. Callie, now in the shallow end, floated on the air mattress he gave her.

Catching his gaze, her stomach fluttered. Today couldn't get any better.

"I'm surprised at you," he said.

"Hm?" Her chest warmed. "Why?"

"Our daughter can swim, which is amazing at her age, and you allowed her to spread her wings past your comfort zone. You were there, supporting her, every step of the way." His gaze intensified. "I'm proud of you. I know that wasn't easy. Hell, I've aged ten years in the last thirty minutes."

She smiled, having never thought of how much it took out of her to stand back and let Callie learn to swim before most kids were out of diapers.

Race kept looking at her. She gazed away, checking on Callie because the longer he put his attention on her, the more aware she became of how much she wanted back in his life. She wanted to spend time with him. She'd give anything to pay for an hour of his time for him to sit and listen and ask all his questions.

"Mommy, watch." Callie rolled off the air mattress and swam to Race.

He scooped her out of the water, and whether it was natural or not, he kissed the side of their daughter's head. "You are a fish."

"I want a fish." She threw her arms around Race's neck. "Can I have one?"

Katie shook her head in the background. They'd had a goldfish. When it died, Callie cried all day and asked where it had gone for a week before stopping.

"You don't need a fish when you are one." Race held her in the water. "Ready to go?"

"Push me fast," shouted Callie.

Race propelled her in the water and watched her swim by herself to the steps. Katie's overheated body had nothing to do with the sun shining down on her.

She loved Race. Always had, always would.

Seeing him with Callie, she was glad she moved back. Every girl needed a daddy.

He swam over to her side. "I'm going to take her inside the house."

"Okay."

He studied her before saying, "I'm not treating her visit like she has an appointment to see Dr. Conner. She's my daughter."

"Okay," she said.

His mouth tightened. "That's it? Just okay?"

She nodded. "I wasn't sure how you'd take the news that you had a daughter, so I was willing to pay you to see her—for her. She's gone too long without knowing you and deserves to have two parents."

He scoffed, lowering his voice. "It took you five years to realize that?"

"Yes." She leaned forward, the truth bursting to be freed. "You didn't want me. I waited until I felt secure about letting her have a relationship with you, apart from me. It's not easy to leave my baby with just anyone, but she's getting older, and she does okay with time away from me."

"I always wanted you," he said.

She stood, not able to have that discussion now. "I'll be out in the car. You can bring her to me when she's done visiting."

Without letting him say another word, she walked around the house and to the car. Inside, she turned the engine on and blasted the air conditioner.

Then, she hyperventilated.

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