Page 37 of Wild Hearts

"I'm glad I could be that for you. Hopefully, Dakota finds someone like that soon."

"And he's not a boy. I'm not ready for her to be dating and me worrying about what they're doing on the couch under the blankets."

I laughed. "You'll get through this."

"It's easier when you're around."

"Is that because I'm your social worker?" I asked lightly to clarify.

"Everything's easier when you're around. It has nothing to do with you being Dakota's social worker."

I wasn't even sure what to say to that.

Walker stood and held his hand out to me. "You ready to skate?"

"I haven't been since we were teens."

He grinned. "It will be just like riding a bike."

"Somehow I doubt that," I said as I rested my hand in his. Ice-skating was one of those things we had done together often. There weren't a lot of date-night opportunities besides the movie theater and getting ice cream. We alternated between themovie theater and the outdoor ice rink. Back then, there was one in town.

At the gate, Walker paused, searching the skaters for Dakota. She was making her way slowly around the edge with Allie looking more confident next to her. "Are you ready for this?"

"Not really." I took one tentative step, and then a second before I attempted to glide. After a few wobbles, we were moving.

"See, I told you it would be easy."

I met his gaze, marveling that I was holding Walker's hand, and we were ice-skating just like we had when we were dating. Then I wobbled again.

"Whoa there. Keep your eyes on the ice." He smirked as if he knew what I was thinking. That the years had only made Walker more attractive. He had a few extra lines on his face that told of the life he'd lived, and he'd filled out his clothes in a way he hadn't back then.

I refocused on the ice in front of my feet and concentrated on taking one step, then another, until we were gliding across the ice with a bit of speed.

We passed Dakota. Walker said, "I'd wave, but I think she's pretending she doesn't know me."

"Can you blame her? She's trying to make friends and fit in. Having an overprotective dad will cramp her style."

"What can you expect? I just found out I had a daughter. I'm a little scared; she'll be taken from me just as quick."

That confession made my heart contract. "It will be okay."

"I can't help but worry. That she won't make friends. That she'll fall into the wrong crowd. Get in too deep with a boy. The possibilities are endless and terrifying."

"Just take things one day at a time. I'm not sure she's super interested in boys yet. And she seems like the type of girl that would keep it a secret from her new dad. She's not going to confess her deepest thoughts and feelings yet."

"She had no problem giving me advice the other day."

I stumbled slightly, then recovered. "What do you mean?"

"We were talking about my dating life, and she was engaged in the conversation."

"She wants you to date?" I asked him tentatively, my heart slowing to a soft thud.

"She seemed excited by the prospect. She said her mother felt guilty when she dated and wanted to focus on her. I think Dakota was feeling bad about that. As if it was her fault her mother never found anyone."

"That poor girl. She's got the weight of the world on her shoulders." I got the impression she felt a lot, and her mother's death was hard on her. But I didn't want her to blame herself for anything. She was just a kid. Her mom made her own decisions. Hopefully, that was something she'd explore in therapy.

It hadn't escaped my notice that Walker still held my hand. I could write it off as a way to steady me when I faltered, but it felt like more of a way to stay connected. Even if Walker wanted to rekindle our relationship, I didn't think it would last. Walker was different from any other man I'd ever met. He had the power to crush me, and I couldn't let him have that power again.

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