Page 95 of Wild Hearts

"It's a smaller town," I said by way of explanation.

Blanche frowned. "It's too bad you couldn't stay in your school here."

"I really liked meeting Dad's family. I have so many cousins. They live close, and we hang out together."

"You hang out with your adult cousins? Shouldn't she be with kids her own age?" Blanche looked at me.

"I think it's important for her to get to know her family."

Blanche pursed her lips but didn't respond.

"It's not like here. But that's okay. I really like our cabin and the Wilde family. I'm happy, and I know that's crazy to say. I feel guilty feeling happy when—" Dakota broke off, her tone filled with emotion.

I rested a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to feel however you feel. No guilt."

Dakota smiled at me. "No guilt."

"That's my girl," I encouraged her softly, and when I turned back to Dennis and Blanche, there was respect and understanding in their gaze. This was a hard situation.

The talk turned to her art and the books she'd been reading and even her excitement about the drop-in volleyball clinics this spring.

After dinner, we helped clean up, and then Dakota started texting with her friends.

"What are you doing tonight?" I asked her.

"We decided to all meet at Ivy's house and watch a movie. Each of us is supposed to bring food or drink. I'll need to stop at the store to get something."

"We can do that. What time do you need to be there?"

It was soon, so we said our goodbyes and headed out.

In the car, Dakota said, "Grandma wants to take me shopping tomorrow and to lunch by herself. Is that okay?"

"Is that what you want to do?" I asked, wanting to be cognizant of her wishes.

"Yeah."

"Then it's fine with me. I wasn't sure how you'd feel about staying overnight with them. I'm a stranger to them."

"I'm fine staying with you, Dad."

"Good." I helped her pick out cupcakes and drinks for the party, then dropped her off at Ivy's house after talking to her mother for a few minutes.

Everyone seemed nice, and it eased my mind that I could communicate with Dakota since she had her phone. When I was alone in my room, I checked my phone for messages.

Addison: How'd it go?

Instead of texting, I called her. "It was fine."

"They didn't threaten to file for custody or anything? I know that's what you were worried about."

I hadn't even expressed that out loud. Addison knew me so well. "Actually, no. Blanche wanted Dakota to stay with them overnight. I said we already had plans to stay at a hotel. That if they want to change plans in the future, we'd need to discuss it prior to the visit."

"Good for you for sticking up for yourself."

I blew out a breath. "Am I doing the right thing with Dakota? She has friends here. They get together frequently. She's happy with them. She doesn't have that at home."

"Are you asking whether you should move to Virginia?" Addison asked slowly.

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