Page 50 of Come Back for Me
“Some better than others.”
He laughs once, the sound echoing around us. “I’m the eternal bachelor, sworn never to have a family or a real relationship. I push everyone away. I’m not doing a damn thing better than anyone.”
That leaves me sitting here wondering if he’s upset with my possible revelation. “And what if Hadley is yours?”
“Then I’ll be the father I never had, and that girl will never have to fear for you or herself again.”
Chapter Sixteen
Connor
“Connor, Connor, Connor!” Hadley yells as she runs out to the barn.
I’ve been working non-stop since she left for school. I finished my surprise about an hour ago and came to get some of the work I actually should’ve been doing for the farm done.
“Hey! How was school?”
“Good. I got to talk to the whole class about how a Navy SEAL rescued me when I hurt my arm.”
Ellie is walking slowly behind her with a huge grin on her face that makes my heart stutter. God, she’s beautiful.
The sun is off to the side of her, and the skirt of her dress is blowing just slightly around her legs. She has a wrap around her shoulders, and her long brown hair is down. She looks breathtaking.
“Hey,” I say with a hitch in my throat.
“Hey.” Ellie’s eyes brighten as she gets nearer.
“How was school for you?”
Ellie shrugs. “It was good, but I can’t wait for Hadley to tell you all about her day.”
I look down at her as she smiles so hard I worry her cheeks could break. “So, you talked about me, huh?”
“I did! I did! And now you’re going to come to school with me!”
“Uh—” I stammer. “I’m what?”
Her eyes go wide, and she starts speaking at her normal speed, which is Mach ten or twenty and still too fast for a normal man to keep up with. “I was telling them how you found me in the tree but that I didn’t really want to be found but you’re so smart and saved me. I told them about how you carried me with one arm because you’re like Hercules. Then I changed my mind because you’re even better because you know how to use a gun since you were in the military. Then I was saying how, again, you came and helped me when I was in trouble and how you’re a heroandfought in the warandhow you’re not afraid of anything except storms when you were little.” She draws a huge breath and keeps going. “Then I said I was going to bring you for show and tell because everyone wants to meet you because you’re my best friend. Plus, no one has an adult for a best friend like I do. They didn’t believe it, but you are, and Mom says I can’t tell people you’ll come to school and that I have to ask. Connor, will you come to school with me?”
When she finally stops, she smiles and looks pleased with herself. I’m just in shock. “I don’t know about that.”
“You have to. You don’t want me to fail, do you? Show and tell is for a grade.”
I don’t, right? I mean, that’s the right answer, but it’s also the absolute last thing I want to do. What the hell am I going to show and tell?
“No, I don’t want you to fail, but I’m sure we can find something else that’s even better.”
“It has to be you. I even wrote a paper about you so that it was approved by Mrs. Flannigan, and she’s mean. She doesn’t like kids, but they let her be a teacher anyway.”
Oh, Jesus. “Right, but I’m not really sure people want to meet me.”
“You’re the coolest. My friends will love you!” Hadley’s little voice sounds very sure of herself there.
I need to get out of this—quick. “I am sure there are a million other things that are much cooler and better options.”
Her lip juts out into a pout.
“But you’re what I want to bring.”
