Page 89 of Everlasting Love

He glances at me briefly before turning his attention to my daughter perched between us. “I’d be honored to be your daddy if you think I’m good enough.” I feel his body tense beneath my touch as he waits for Jasmine’s response.

Pfft.As if he wouldn’t be good enough. He’s already treated my daughter better than her biological father ever did. I can’t believe he has doubts.

My daughter looks at him like he’s a crazy person then leans in and kisses his cheek before squeezing both of them between her tiny hands to make him look at her. “You’re the best daddy. You read me stories and color with me. You play with me at the park and take me for ice cream. You help me in the garden and come to my school. You give me the best hugs, and my heart feels big when you’re around,” she declares with a smile.

His body relaxes, and his smile slowly grows wider with each point that Jas makes to show him that he’s already a great dad. He looks even more devastatingly gorgeous with that smile on his lips and a lightness dancing in his eyes. He chuckles and squeezes us both tighter, kissing each of us on the top of our heads. “My girls,” he murmurs against my hair, and contentment washes through me. Settling me and making me feel as though everything’s going to be all right.Finally.

“Mommy? Can we clean up the garden now?”

I chuckle at how quickly Jasmine’s thoughts jump from one idea to the next, completely oblivious to the importance of the moment we just shared. “Not right now. We need to get you ready for school, and Shane and I need to get ready for work.”

“After school?” she asks hopefully.

“Sure thing. We’ll have it cleaned up in no time this afternoon. We can even use some of the fallen vegetables in our dinner tonight.”

“Okay. I better get ready.” She shuffles down our bodies until her feet touch the wooden porch and then skips inside.

When I turn to follow her inside, Shane reaches out and grips my wrist, pulling me back into his embrace. He brushes my hair away from my face and studies me intently. “Thank you.”

I look at him, confused. “What for?”

“Everything.” He kisses my forehead and then pulls away to lock his gaze with mine. “For last night. Your acceptance of me into your life … both of your lives. For being patient with me.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Shane. I would have honestly waited for you forever, but I’m glad I didn’t have to wait that long. We love you.” I press up onto my toes and plant a kiss on his bristly cheek, and while I’d love to get lost in another kiss, I need to make sure Jasmine hasn’t become distracted and is getting dressed for school.

32

VIOLET

Shaneand I are both craning our necks searching for an available parking space. Jasmine insisted on making a sign to welcome Mom home, so instead of pulling into the pickup line, we need to find a place to park.

I point to the right. “Oh, there’s a couple walking toward their car. Let’s follow them.”

Shane nods and flicks the indicator, slowing down to follow the couple. Once they pull out, we park and climb out, careful not to bend the sign for Mom. She’s going to be so surprised. We make our way through the busy terminal and find the arrival gate for her flight.

“When’s Gramma coming?” Jasmine asks as she holds her colorful sign in front of her.

“Soon. Keep watching for her.” People mill about the large open space, moving from one area to another.

“I can’t see with all the people in the way.”

“We can’t have that now. We don’t want your gramma to miss out on seeing the sign you worked so hard to make.”

Jas smiles up at Shane and he bends down, scoops her up, and sits her on his shoulders so she can see above the crowd. “Thank you, Daddy.”

My heart does a flip every time my daughter calls ShaneDaddy,and I’ve noticed how his face softens and his shoulders relax whenever it happens. She has no concept of how special it is to have him take that role in her life … inourlives but I do, and it’s a gift I’ll always treasure. A man who takes on the role of father for a child who isn’t his own is truly a special man.

Jasmine bounces on Shane’s shoulders, waving her sign around, and he tightens his grip on her. “There she is! Gramma! Gramma!”

I press up on my toes, but I’m too short to see over the crowd so I turn toward the direction Mom will come from now I know she’s through the gate. I finally lay eyes on her, and I realize I’ve missed her. This is the longest we’ve ever been apart. She surges forward with a bright smile and sparkling eyes, looking well-rested and energized from her vacation.

Shane places Jas on her feet, and she drops her sign, then bolts toward Mom with Shane’s eyes locked on her like a heat-seeking missile. “Gramma! I missed you.”

Mom laughs and bends down to scoop up her granddaughter. “Oh, my beautiful girl. I missed you so much.” She squishes her tight, rocking back and forth, and my smile widens as I watch them reunite.

Shane tangles our fingers, his grin matching mine as we watch Mom and Jas. Suddenly, his smile disappears, his muscles grow taut, and he takes a step forward, dragging me with him. I follow his flinty stare with confusion. What has him on alert?

A man, who looks remarkably like Hugh Jackman, steps close behind Mom and places his hand on her lower back. My eyebrows must be almost at my hairline and I tug on Shane’shand until he looks down at me. I drag him in close and whisper, “Not once did she mention she was bringing herfriendhome.”

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