Page 78 of Worth the Wait

I shot her a quick glance, my smile still firmly in place, as I answered, “Why aren’t you?”

She laughed. It was full-hearted and filled with joy. It only made my lips curl up even more.

When we pulled into the driveway, my heart started racing. The last time I’d been over here, I definitely hadn’t been happy.

Addi must have been just as excited as I was because she bolted from the truck and ran straight into her dad’s house without knocking. I heard her laugh and Jeremiah’s deep voice before I even entered.

I found the two of them hugging in the kitchen, Jeremiah’s crutches scattered on the ground. He must have dropped them when he saw her. Jasper sniffed around them, his tail wagging.

“This is a nice surprise,” he said as he looked at me, his daughter still in his arms.

“Isn’t it?”

“So, you’re back for good?” He looked at his daughter with so much hope, his voice wistful with his words, and I noticed a tear fall down Addi’s cheek.

“Yep,” was all she managed to get out as he squeezed her even harder.

“I’m so happy to have you back, sweetheart. It’s not the same without you.”

Damn.

Now, I was getting choked up.

“Hope you don’t mind me stealing her. I mean, I did build us a house,” I said, launching a guilt grenade I knew I didn’t need.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, son,” he said as he took my hand and gave it a firm shake.

“My two favorite men.” She sniffed and wiped at her face with the back of her hand before maneuvering out of her dad’s arms and straight into mine.

“Think Sarina will come visit more?”

“Heck yes!” Addi answered with so much thrill in her voice. “She decorated her room, remember?”

She laughed, and I gave them both a look. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I put the pieces together easily enough.

“You need a haircut,” Jeremiah said.

I groaned. “You sound like my brothers.”

“They sound smart.”

I turned toward Addi and gave her a fake smile. “Will you cut my hair, love?”

“Just like old times.” She smiled, but it wasn’t fake, like the one I’d just given her.

“Get out of here, you two. Come see me soon though.” Jeremiah waved us off like we were bothering him.

Addi called for Jasper and started to walk toward the door, but I stayed back.

“Give me a second,” I said once she noticed that I had stopped.

She narrowed her eyes, but kept going anyway.

“Remember the permission I asked for all those years ago?” I asked my—hopefully—future father-in-law.

“I remember.”

“Does your answer still stand?”

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