Page 200 of Daddy, Sir

Her Soldier Daddy

Kate Oliver

Chapter One

Greyson

Greyson had forgotten just how much it rained in Seattle. The kind of drizzle that never seemed to stop. The kind that permeated whatever item of clothing you had on. But it was familiar. Comforting, even.

Home.

He hadn’t been back since the Christmas before last. Long stretches of overseas deployments got in the way of feeling that rain. Carly, his little sister, was the only person he’d kept in regular touch with, and he could hardly wait to see her. She had no idea he was arriving home this early.

He took a deep breath, adjusted the duffel bag slung over his shoulder, and waited for the car service to arrive. Damian, his longtime friend, had offered to pick him up, but Greyson had declined. It was the middle of the night, and all he wanted to do was go home to his small house and sleep in his own bed. He hoped it was as comfortable as he’d remembered. Though anything was better than the shitty beds they had in Iraq.

The cab dropped him off in front of a charming, old house on a quiet street in Capitol Hill. It was the kind of neighborhood where the trees looked like they had been planted a century ago and you had to watch where you were walking because the sidewalks were cracked and broken.

Despite being in the military for the past twelve years and being deployed for at least half that time, he’d kept his house because, for whatever reason, he couldn’t find it in him to part with it. Maybe it was the memories held in it, or maybe it was just the idea of having steady roots that were his. After moving around so much over the years, he couldn’t wait to settle down in one place.

He put his bag on the floor, leaving it to deal with later, and beelined to his bedroom. Without even taking his boots off, he slid into bed and promptly fell asleep.

Early the next morning, after taking a scalding hot shower and putting on some civvy clothes, Greyson got into his old beat-up but well-loved Bronco and drove to the other side of town. His palms were sweating. Why was he so nervous?

His sister’s fiancé let him in, smiling silently as they gave each other a warm hug. Greyson and Damian had been friends for a long time. It was because of Greyson hiring Damian all those years ago to protect Carly that they were together. He was thrilled about it. He couldn’t have asked for a better partner and Daddy for his little sister.

“She’s in the kitchen,” Damian said quietly.

Nodding, Greyson walked through the house and stopped at the end of the long entryway hall that opened up to a living room and kitchen.

Carly had her back to him, while she hummed along to a song, her body swaying slightly as she poured herself a cup of coffee. He watched her for a moment, grinning to himself. She looked happy. Content. That was all he had ever wanted for her. He needed to remember to thank Damian for giving her everything he had ever wanted for her.

When she turned around, her eyes widened, and before Greyson could even get a word out, she slammed her coffee cup onto the counter and launched herself at him, knocking them both backward a few steps.

“Greyson, oh my God!” she squealed, squeezing him so tight he thought his ribs might crack. “You weren’t supposed to be here for another three weeks.”

She was already sobbing, something he’d expected. His sister had always had big emotions, and it was one of the reasons he adored her so much. She was never afraid to express how she felt, which was great, except for the times she was pissed, and then he had to brace himself for her wrath. Good thing she was Damian’s problem now.

Greyson hugged her back, taking in the soft scent of his one and only sibling. “I saved a bunch of vacation time so I could get out early. I wanted to surprise you.”

She pulled back just enough to look up at him, tears spilling down her cheeks. “God, I’ve missed you. You’re going gray.”

Greyson couldn’t help but chuckle. Carly was relentless in the best way. “You haven’t seen me in person in years, and that’s the first thing you say? Are you saying I’m old, little sis? Because I can still tickle you to the floor until you pee yourself, so you better be nice.”

She grinned, stepping back to give him some space. “You wouldn’t do that. You love me too much. I love the silver-fox thing you’ve got going on. It’s distinguishing. You look really good.”

“Thanks, brat.” He laughed at his sister. It was nice being around her again. He hadn’t realized just how much he’d missed these silly moments with Carly until now. Phone conversations weren’t the same.

Reaching out, he tugged on one of her dark curls. “Can I take you to breakfast?”

Carly’s eyes lit up, and she started bouncing on her toes. “Really? I mean, yes, of course. Daddy, do you want to come?”

She looked to Damian hopefully, her big eyes exceptionally round. It was adorable. Greyson almost felt bad for Damian because it had to be impossible to say no to her when she looked like that.

“I have to go to work, babygirl,” Damian answered, pulling her into his arms. “Besides, you need some one-on-one time with your brother.”

Carly pouted dramatically before leaning into Damian’s embrace. “Okay, but we’re all having dinner together later.”

“Of course,” Damian agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple before glancing at Greyson. “Take care of her.”

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