Page 26 of Wild Hearts

"That sounds nice." Why did this invitation feel like a date? I was Dakota's social worker. Not Walker's girlfriend. I wasn't there in a capacity beyond my professional one.

"Great. I'll see you later." He clicked off, but my heart was beating erratically. I wanted more. I wanted to sink back into the relationship I had when we were younger. It would be so easy to do, except Walker didn't want me, and nothing had changed.

I repeated the mantras to myself as I got to work. Unfortunately, I was excited to go to Walker's house that night. I stopped at home and took a little extra time changing out of my work clothes into my favorite jeans and softest sweater. It looked effortless, and Walker would have no idea how much time I spent on my makeup to make it look natural.

I pulled up to the cabin at five minutes before six, and Dakota was just coming out of the house. When I opened the door, Dakota said, "Hello."

"How's it going so far?"

"I don't have much, but Walker said I could go shopping with Scarlett this weekend to decorate my room the way I want."

I kind of hoped Dakota would ask for me to assist her, but I wasn't her family. Scarlett was her cousin’s wife. It didn't make sense for me to be involved. Over time, Dakota would lean on Walker's family more, and it made sense, because they were great.

Dakota grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house. "Come see what he got me."

We passed Walker in the hallway who just smiled as we rushed past him. She paused in the doorway to her room. It looked different from the time I inspected the house for her arrival.

There were pictures of the Wilde family. "This is great."

"This chair is new." Dakota pointed to a soft white round chair that was perfect for reading. "And he bought me an ereader."

"That's great. You enjoy reading?"

Dakota nodded eagerly. "I haven't had much time lately, but I'd like to get back into it. Walker said I can also buy whatever books I want."

Dakota was a lucky girl. Walker was providing her with whatever she needed. She already had a phone and a laptop for school. But those were things her mother had bought her. She was a typical teenager and hopefully she'd be okay in her new home.

She didn't need me anymore, and neither did Walker. The problem was that I got attached to some of my charges, and it made it hard to let go. Dakota was one of those kids. I was invested in her happiness. I didn't want to keep my distance or take a more professional role. "Will you let me know how school goes tomorrow?"

"Sure," Dakota said.

"But after that, I won't be here as often. My role will be done."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Can I call you sometimes?"

"As long as it's okay with your father." My job was to make house calls to check on kids, but not text them for updates.

Walker arrived with suitcases. "That's the last of it."

"Will you help me unpack?" Dakota asked me.

"That's what I'm here for."

Walker hefted them onto the comforter and unzipped one. "I'll let you get to it and order some pizza. What do you like on yours?" he asked Dakota.

"Just cheese, please."

Walker grinned. "One cheese pizza coming up. Adds, the usual for you?"

"Whatever you're having is fine." Adds? He hadn't called me that since we were dating. Of course, we also hadn't talked until I needed to tell him he had a daughter.

I was still flustered when he walked out of the room to order the pizza. Thankfully, Dakota didn't say anything about the shortened name. If she noticed a familiarity between us, she didn't mention it.

We opened the closet and got to work hanging her shirts, dresses, and skirts, and folding the rest in the drawers. The furniture in the room was good quality and sturdy. I didn't think she'd need to purchase anything other than pillows, blankets, and maybe some wall coverings.

Once the second suitcase was unpacked, I sat on the bed to take a break. "It looks nice."

"It feels like my room now."

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