Page 13 of Finding Home

I shift my weight. “Okay, so . . . if she’s good now, let’s go in.”

Aubrey shakes her head. “Let’s give her a few minutes to process.”

I close my eyes, begging the universe for patience. When I open them, Aubrey looks brazenly disdainful of me. “How long was Claudia with her ex?”

Aubrey scowls. “Why do you care?”

“Just wondering if he was good with Raine.” I’ve got no grounds to feel jealous or protective about another man possibly getting close to my kid, but it’s what I’m feeling, nonetheless. If this ex of Claudia’s treated my daughter like anything other than a princess, I’ll hunt him down and give him some free dental work.

“Ricky was fine with her. Not amazing, not terrible. He’s irrelevant. All I’m saying is you’ve got your work cut out for you, if you’re serious about becoming a real daddy to Raine because . . .”

I don’t hear the rest. Once Aubrey said the worddaddy,my brain short-circuited. Holy shit. It didn’t occur to me Raine might call me daddy one day. But now that Aubrey’s used the word, it’s all I want. The ultimate goal before this forced month in Prairie Springs is done.

After finishing her rant, whatever it was, Aubrey sighs and says, “I’ll go check on her now. Wait here, and I’ll call you when it’s a good time to come in.” She turns to leave but abruptly stops on the porch. “When you say hello to her again, this time smile at her, for fuck’s sake.”

“I smiled before.”

“No, you grimaced like you were about to turn into The Hulk.”

I force a smile. “Better?”

Aubrey shudders. “No, that’s horrifying. Never mind. The grimace was less scary.”

As I roll my eyes, Aubrey swings open the screen door and disappears into the house.

I fidget as I stand and wait for Aubrey to call me inside for what feels like a lifetime. But finally, she calls my name and I head into the house. Once in the living room, I find Aubrey sitting on a couch, its back covered with a crocheted blanket, with my tiny daughter in her lap.

“See?” Aubrey says to Raine, her temple resting on Raine’s head while looking at me. “Mommy’s good friend Caleb is just a normal, nice man with silly scribbles all over his body and funny hair all over his face. Isn’t he silly and funny?”

Aubrey fake laughs, and my little daughter joins her nervously, but even as Raine laughs, she’s gripping Aubrey with her tiny, splayed fingers like a lifeline.

“Caleb, did you get into Raine’s box of markers and draw all over yourself, you naughty boy?” Aubrey asks breezily. “If you did, that’s not allowed. Is it, Rainey?”

Raine shakes her head.

“Remember when you did that, Pooh Bear?” Aubrey coos, poking Raine’s belly playfully. “Remember how Mommy laughed and gave you a bubble bath?”

Raine frowns. “Mommy said, ‘You not allowed do dat, Rainey.”

“She did say that, but gently. Mommy wasn’t mad at you, Boo. Mommy thought everything you did was the cutest, funniest thing, ever. She loved you so, so much.” Aubrey chokes on her last few words, causing her to stop and inhale deeply before starting again. “Remember Sully inMonsters, Inc.? Caleb is like him. He looksscary and big, but he’s really silly and funny.”

As Raine considers this new bit of information, I make a mental note to watchMonsters, Inc.,as soon as possible.

“Can you say hi to him?” Aubrey prompts softly, poking Raine’s belly again.

Much to my thrill, Raine waves shyly at me and squeaks out the tiniest, “Hi.”

That’s it. Put a fork in me, I’m done. My heart is a puddle. My fate sealed. Come hell or high water, no matter what it takes, I’m going to do whatever it takes to become the father this cutie pie deserves, so I can hear her calling me “Daddy,” as soon as possible.

“Hi, Raine,” I reply softly, even though I want to scream it out of excitement. “I’m Caleb.”

“Say, ‘Hi, Caleb!’” Aubrey prompts cheerfully.

“Hi, Coobie.”

Aubrey and I exchange a small smile at her adorable pronunciation. Aubrey’s grin wasn’t a wide one, like mine, by any stretch, but it nonetheless feels like progress.

Aubrey calls to me, “Hey, Caleb, what’s all that scribbling on your skin? Did you do that with markers?”

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