Page 20 of Defending her Heart

“I bet he reads the monster really well,” Kendall says before doing a terrible impression of me. Or the monster, it’s hard to tell.

I lean against the wall and listen to Kendall finish the story, and am impressed when she doesn’t get frustrated with Paisley’s constant interruptions and questions. They read one more book, and I surprise myself by not making myself known.

“Okay, munchkin, it’s time to get ready for bed.”

“But Daddy’s not home yet. You said he’d be home before bedtime.”

“I’m sure he’ll be home soon. Let’s get your teeth brushed and change into your pjs, okay?”

Feeling like a voyeur in my own home, I finally clear my throat. The mountain of blankets moves and I hear Paisley’s hands and knees scurry across the hardwood floor.

“Daddy!” She stands up when she’s only partially out of the fort, knocking a stack of pillows and a blanket over Kendall.

While she tackles the blankets, Paisley tackles my legs. “What a pretty princess you are.” I pick her up under her arms and toss her in the air before settling her mound of tulle on my hip.

She braces my face with both hands and peppers my cheeks and nose with kisses. I’ll never tire of her greeting me this way.

“Miss Wentworth made my hair pretty. We played princesses and Barbies and made a craft project and she showed me how to make a salad with fruit on it.”

“Sounds like you were a busy bee.” I blow a raspberry on her neck and check out her fancy braids. “You look beautiful.”

“Miss Wentworth said they’re called French braids. Can you learn how to do them? She can teach you. They’re fancier than the regular boring braids you do.”

“Hey. My braids aren’t boring.” They were butt-ass terrible when I first learned to braid her hair a couple years ago, but as long as I have a comb and a spray bottle handy, I can make damn good braids now.

The lump of blankets drops to the floor and Kendall rises from the pile. I snort and cough to hide my laugh. Paisley obviously went to town on her hair. I have no idea what style my daughter was trying to recreate, but hell if Kendall doesn’t look ridiculous with four ponytails on various parts of her head and what I assume to be a braid hanging in front of her left eye.

Still, even with crazy-ass hair, leggings, and a giant sweatshirt that hides her curves, she’s fucking sexy as well.

“Paisley was just on her way upstairs to get ready for bed.” She folds the blankets, stacking them neatly on the couch. “I’ll let you two have some time together. See you in the morning, Paisley.”

Kendall pats Paisley on the back as she moves by us.

“Can you help me pick out my pajamas?”

The hell? She never wants help.

Kendall looks up at me for the first time, our eyes meeting for a brief moment before she looks away and smiles at my daughter.

“You did such a fantastic job picking out the most beautiful princess dress, I’m sure you'll do a wonderful job picking out the perfect jammies to sleep in tonight.”

“Can you stay a little longer? Please?”

Kendall glances at me and then back at Paisley. “Sorry, munchkin. I have to get to school early tomorrow. Have a good night.”

She leans in and brushes a kiss on top of Paisley’s head, and I get a whiff of her unique scent. I don’t know my flowers, but it smells like a mixture of flowers and pine. Earthy but feminine.

“Thank you for helping me tonight.”

She nods while she gathers her bag and takes out her keys. “How are your parents?”

“Still under the weather.”

She loops the straps of her bag over her shoulder. “Do you need my help tomorrow?”

My parents said they’d watch her for me as long as it was a low-key day. Movies and pizza after school. Lots of snuggles. One more day to rest and recover is best for them, and there’s a part of me that wouldn’t mind coming home to Kendall and Paisley’s giggles again.

“I don’t feel right infringing on your personal time two nights in a row.”

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