Page 5 of Wild Hearts

He was the quintessential brooding bad boy. The new guy in school whose parents had died in a car accident. He had a chip on his shoulder and growled at anyone who dared talk to him.

When we ended up in the same ski class, I realized that despite who his family was, he wasn't good at skiing. When he fell on a relatively easy slope, I stopped and helped him up. I gave him some pointers which he grudgingly took.

I stayed by his side because I got the impression he didn't want the Wildes to know he wasn't good at the family business. We became unlikely friends, and it evolved into a teenage relationship. He broke things off when he enlisted.

We had unresolved issues between us, but I'd set them aside. I wanted to be the one who handled his daughter's case. Not because I wanted to confront him about our past, but because I needed to be there for him now.

My heart ached for Dakota and Walker. Their situation was difficult, but I hoped it worked out for them.

Dakota was understandably upset about moving across the country to meet her father. Her grandparents were traveling with her to Colorado.

When they arrived, I met with them in the hotel lobby.

I approached them. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm Addison Montgomery."

"I'm Blanche, and this is Dennis," the woman said.

"Thank you so much for bringing her."

"We don't mind her meeting her father, but we were hoping she could stay with us. Everything she knows is in Virginia. Her school, friends, and the memories of her mother. She doesn't even know this man."

I was worried about this. "That sounds lovely, but the courts want to reunite her with her father. The courts usually find that it's in the best interest of the child to live with his or her biological parents before we look to extended family."

"He's a stranger to her. To us," Dennis added.

"I know this is difficult, but I don't want you to get your hopes up. Walker has indicated that he wants his daughter to live with him here in Colorado." If the couple requested visitation with their granddaughter, I'd advise Walker against it at first. Walker needed to get to know his daughter without any outside interference. I wasn't sure if her grandparents would poison her against her father, but I didn't want to take any chances. If she was going to give him a chance, they needed time to be alone.

"Dakota should be able to see us whenever she wants. We're her grandparents. The only family she knows at the moment."

"She has the right to get to know her father, and I can't make any promises about visitation. That would be up to Walker." Confrontations like this were difficult, but I'd gotten better at them over the years. Remain calm.

"Dakota doesn't even want to meet him," Blanche said.

"It's my job to introduce her to her dad and let them get to know each other." Walker and I had our differences, but he was responsible and hardworking. He'd immediately requested a discharge from the military so he could focus solely on his daughter, and he had a large family willing and able to assist him.

"I don't like it," Dennis said.

I gave him a sympathetic look. "I know this is hard."

Blanche's brow furrowed. "Can we be there when she meets him?"

"I'll ask Dakota what she wants to do. Can I see her?" Dakota was my charge, and I needed to ensure that I was doing what was right for her.

"I'll take you to her room." Blanche walked with me to the elevators.

"Have you ever had to do this before?" she asked as the elevator doors opened.

"I haven't. But I've been speaking with a colleague who handled a similar case."

"It doesn't feel right," Blanche said as the doors opened on the sixth floor.

I followed her to the door. "This is going to be hard on everyone involved."

Blanche sighed and knocked.

The door opened slowly. "Grandma? What?—"

Dakota broke off when she saw me. Her resemblance to Walker was striking. She had dirty blond hair, the same nose and stubborn tilt in her jaw. She wore the usual teen wardrobe of a hoodie and jeans with sneakers. Large head phones hung around her neck.

---