Page 59 of Smitten with the Single Dad

Until now.

He reached for her hand again and she got a little giddy. “You can trust me. You don’t have to hide your emotions from me. Feel them all. I can handle it.”

Swallowing, she studied his lips. They were full and damn, the man could kiss.

“I just never want to be a burden to someone else,” she went on. “Emotionally, physically, mentally. I have seen how women can come across as needy and Inever want to be one of those women. I am independent and self-sufficient—”

“And stubborn and unwilling to see when peoplewantto help. You do know that being needy andhavingneeds, are two different things. Right?” All he did was lift his brows in question at her. “Having needs are valid. Having someone, or people, you can trust is a basic human need. It’s not being needy. And I definitely don’t think you’re needy.”

All she could do was blink at him. He was so right, her mind was blowing up over and over again.

Then he shrugged. “Just something to think about.” He broke their eye contact and stared straight ahead. “Almost home.” It was totally dark now, and all that was visible were the terminal lights and the stars.

It’d been a long day, but a fantastic one.

An unconventional one, but then again, not much about Vica’s life at the moment was conventional.

They chatted more about their likes and dislikes, about his life growing up with four brothers, and moving around because his father was in the military. He only briefly touched on his time in the marines, but he spoke no more about his late wife, even though Vica was incredibly curious.

Within minutes, the ferry had docked and come to a complete stop. They were behind a few vehicles, but it didn’t take long until it was their turn to unload. Wyatt started up the truck again and off they drove, back onto the island.

Was it weird that it felt like coming home?

This wasn’t her home … not really.

And yet …

“You really do look lovely today, Vica,” he said softly as they headed up the hill and away from the harbor. “A truly beautiful bride.”

Her cheeks heated. “And you are a very handsome groom. Thank you for … well, for marrying me. For saving me from deportation. For all of it. I’ve never met a man like you, Wyatt.”

“Wasn’t that big of a sacrifice on my part.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and his crooked smile held so much playfulness, Vica was incapable of not smiling too.

Despite the turmoil bearing down on her from the police, Wyndham Croft, and immigration, she was happy. Wyatt, the boys, and San Camanez Island made her happy.

In her own little, joyful world and still smiling at Wyatt, she didn’t see the headlights coming at them until it was too late.

Another vehicle slammed into the side of Wyatt’s truck on the passenger side, throwing all of them to the left.

Immediately, Vica’s mind went to Jake in the backseat behind her.

The force of the other vehicle shoved them into the ditch, pinning Wyatt’s door up against a tree. The airbags all deployed, and headlights blinded Vica.

“Jake!” she called out. “Griffon!”

“Vica?” came Griffon’s groggy little voice. “What happened?”

“Don’t move, Griffon. Stay still. Don’t move. Can you see your brother?”

“Vica?” Oh, thank God.

“Jake? It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.”

“Were we in an accident?” he asked.

“That’s how Mom died,” Griffon said, terror in his little voice. “I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die in a car like Mom.”

“Nobody is dying today,” Vica said glancing over at Wyatt who was unconscious beside her, laying against the airbag.

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