Page 45 of Pints & Potions

“I’m a little tired. Do you mind if I take a nap?”

“Actually, I do, Pip.” He gave her a regretful look. “You’re not going to be out of my sight until we find out who has it in for you.”

“Dad, I’ll be fine now.”

“Just let me grab the plate, and I’ll see you safely to your room. Humor your old papa, okay?”

With a tired smile, she nodded.

“Want me to call Liz to sit with you instead?”

“No. You keep guard while I nap. You can conjure your favorite book on farming or something equally as boring.”

“There’s nothing boring about farming, girl! You take that back,” Hoyt scolded with a laugh.

Arm in arm, they strolled into the kitchen. Wordlessly, Bridget removed the plate from the oven and placed it on the counter. With a sharp nod and shooing motion, she sent them on their way.

As Piper snuggled down into the comforter under her father’s watchful eye, she smiled sleepily. It was nice having him around. He’d destroy anyone or anything to keep her safe without a second thought, and for this reason, she was able to rest without worry. Knowing she was cared for by family—even if she couldn’t seem to find a man willing to risk his heart—made her feel that much more secure and, in some ways, content. Hoyt would be an incredible grandpa to her future child.

As Hoyt perchedon the edge of the bed and gazed down at his daughter’s peaceful expression, he sighed. He knew she’d never admit it before she was ready, but she’d fallen to the Thorne curse. They were all destined to only have one great love in life, regardless of the type of character their mate turned out to be. Hoyt had seen enough relationship disasters as a result of it.

Piper was in love with the Irishman. The gobsmacked expression was one he was familiar with. He’d witnessed it many times on those related to them. More than most, his big-hearted daughter had a difficult time concealing her feelings from those around her.

“Oh, Pip,” he whispered. “I’d have chosen anyone else for you than any of the men you seem to prefer.”

As if she’d heard him, Piper frowned.

With his thumb, Hoyt lightly stroked the spot between her furrowed brows, just as he had when she was a small child. His little Pip had always been an over thinker.

“Forget the troubles of the day. Let the sun shine on the hay, whenever wild little Pip goes out to play,”he crooned in a low voice.

Instantly, her forehead smoothed and a soft smile curled her lips. “I love you, Dad,” she murmured.

“I thought you were sleeping,” he said, equally as quiet.

“Just about.”

“Well, doze off already. Your old man is here to kick bad-guy butt if he bothers you.”

She giggled as he intended.

“I love you, too, my little Pip.”

“Not so little anymore, Dad.”

“You’ll always be my little girl. No amount of time or growing up will change that.”

Her drowsy smile widened, and she peeked up at him. “I hope not. You’re the best father a girl could have.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

“It’s why I want a baby,” she said on a shuddering breath. “I want to shower her with love like you and mom did to me. Snuggle her in my lap and patiently read her favorite book for the hundredth time in a row. Be there to kiss her boo-boos and bandage her scraped knees.” Piper toyed with his big, capable hands as she had since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. “Be her compass in a crazy world.”

A wave of tenderness washed over Hoyt. A parent always hoped they raise their children right. Seems he did. “And you want your girl’s pa to be Cian O’Malley?” he asked gently.

“I think I do,” Piper confessed. “But I’m barking up the wrong tree, as you’d say. He doesn’t want a relationship, Dad.”

“The man I saw downstairs cares, Pip. He may not love you this soon, but he’s on his way. Perhaps if you give him time to come to terms with hanging up his roaming ways, he might come around.”

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