Page 43 of Fate

“Wow.”

She bustles over to the patio table and sets out my meal. A cup of steaming coffee is sitting next to a plate loaded with an omelet stuffed full of veggies and what looks to be bacon, fruit, and a side of toast.

“Thankyou.”

“I know how you like to eat right away when you wake up.” She beams and pulls out my chair.

I sit down and put Cora on my left knee so I can eat with my right hand. She immediately grabs for the coffee cup, which I move out of her grasp and exchange with a piece of toast. The toast goes right to her mouth, where she licks and gnaws, making cute little “mmm” sounds.

“Thank you. This is unbelievable.” I’m talking around a bite of omelet. The egg, spinach, and cheese topped with perfectly cooked crispy bacon is a taste sensation. “You really are a good cook!” I say, happily sipping my coffee.

“I want to make you happy,” Misty says and smiles, watching me eat. It’s strange and sweet at the same time. I don’t always know what to make of Misty and the things she says and does. We’re still getting used to sharing space, but so far it’s been amazing. She loves to cook and does a great job of it. Our daughter is happy and healthy. But most important, they are safe and sound where I can keep an eye onthem.

“While we’re both here, I have something I want to talk to you about.” I shift Cora and wipe at the crumbs that have fallen on my pajama pants. Good thing we’re eating outside. No additionalmess.

Another thing I never planned for. Kids are messy. Seriously fucking messy. Though Misty has made sure to keep the house spic and span, even going so far as to do my laundry. The only reason I know that is because my housekeeper complained there wasn’t much for her todo.

Misty frowns. “What’s on yourmind?”

“Well, two things. But more importantly, the issue of Cora and hername.”

“You don’t like the name Cora?” Her hand flies to her chest, as if she’s been struck with an arrow.

I laugh and put my hand over hers. She grips on to it as though I might turn weightless at any moment and flyaway.

“I love the name Cora. You can’t understand how much I appreciate that her name starts with a C. It’s a tradition in the Davis family.”

Her corresponding smile to my statement makes me realize just how sensitive she is. I need to use kid gloves with her, more so than I thought.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I want her to have the Davis name. Are you okay with me starting the paperwork with my attorney to have her name legally changed from Duncan to Davis?”

Misty beams. A full-on, no-holds-barred, all-gums smile. “That would be amazing!” Awe fills eachword.

I’m not sure why she’s so excited, but I’m thrilled this request isn’t a battle. Then she grabs Cora’s hand. “See sweetheart, your daddy loves you so much already. He wants to give you his name. Maybe one day I’ll be so lucky.”

Um, wait, what did she just say? Before I can ask, she stands up and grabs my coffeecup.

“Daddy needs a refill.” Misty pops up, cup in hand. She practically skips when she goes into the house.

I spend a few moments staring out at the ocean and making sure Cora doesn’t choke on her toast. “I’m not quite sure what just happened here. Regardless, I’m going to focus on the fact that I get to make you a Davis, baby girl. You want that?” I turn her around, lift her up, and hold her above me. She smiles and squeals with delight.

“Dah-da!” She smashes her buttery, saliva-soaked hand against my nose. “Dah-da!”

I laugh and kiss her chubby grubby cheeks. “That’s right. I’m your daddy, and soon the whole entire world will know you’re my daughter. Cora Davis. It has a beautiful ring to it, don’t you think?”

“I, for one, do!” Misty says, setting down my cup. “What was the other thing you wanted to tell me, Carson?”

Misty is all smiles, soft touches, and eyelash flutters. Again, against my better judgment, I shake it off to get down to business. “I have a job foryou.”

Her face lights up once again. “Really? Already?”

“Well, it won’t start for a couple weeks, and only if you think it will be a good fit. But my father, Charles Davis, has a personal assistant who is retiring.”

“I’ll take it,” she says instantly.

“You don’t even know what it involves.” I frown.

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