Page 151 of Beat of Love
Maybe Mrs. Bronson was right?
He dismissed the thought as soon as it popped into his head.
Selena depended on him, and while Kamila walked free, those kids were not safe. God help them, he was their best option.
Then Sinead cried, pointing in the air. “’Adybird fy way, Onna!”
Connor said something to her, and she vigorously waved her hand. “Bye-bye ’adybird.”
Rafferty hadn’t really given thought of how to introduce himself to Sinead, but Connor had that in hand when the two reached him. “This is Dad, Nadie, and we’re gonna live with him now.”
Sinead observed him with wide, effervescent eyes, the golden burst surrounding her pupils blending into a unique green and brown he likened to the shimmering water flowing around the shaded rocks on the small lake on Lawson’s Landing. “No! Want Mommy.”
“Remember, Nadie,” Connor said before Rafferty could formulate a suitable reply. “I told you Mommy’s an angel now. We can’t see her anymore, but she’s watching us all the time.”
Sinead lifted her face to the sky. “A’el?”
“Uh-huh,” Connor replied.
She batted her open palms on Rafferty’s leg. “Up. Up.”
He lifted Sinead onto his lap, and she pushed to her feet, balancing on his thighs. Clasping his hands around her waist, he marveled at how little she weighed and how fragile she felt.
She suddenly arched her back. Lightning fast, Rafferty placed a splayed hand on her back and pulled her upright. “Whoa, kiddo.” It wouldn’t do to have the girl tumble to the ground the very first time he held her.
Unperturbed by his fright, she bent her knees and jumped, lifting her arms into the air. “Fy, fy.”
“Only birds fly, Nadie,” Connor said.
“No.” Arms still stretched above her head, Sinead looked Rafferty straight in the eye. “Up. Up. Nadie fy. Peas,” she added, batting her eyelashes at him.
And just like that, the little urchin stumbled into his heart, and he became a slave to her bidding.
Sinead wanted to fly? Fly she would.
Rafferty stood and lifted her high.
She whooped, arms and legs outstretched. “Fy! Nadie fy!”
He spun around, swooping her low before lifting her high over his head.
“Mommeee! Nadie here!”
He spun again.
“See Nadie! See Nadie!”
With a croaky laugh, Rafferty hugged her close. “More later, my little Nadiebird,” he rasped, his throat tight.
He moved back to the table, sat on the edge of the bench, and lowered her to the grass. Reaching for the pink bag decorated with colorful balloons, he placed it on the ground. “Here’s a present for you, darlin’.”
She wasted no time dipping into the oversized bag and pulling out a stuffed penguin almost half her size. “It’s Appy!” Beaming, she held the toy out. “Look, Onna!”
“I see it.” Connor smiled at her and rubbed a hand over the soft fur. “It’s Happy. What do you say to Dad, Sinead?”
Sinead hugged the penguin and gave Rafferty a shy smile. “Fank you, Daddy.”
Warmth flooded his heart and tears prickled behind his eyes at her easy acceptance of him. “You’re welcome, Nadie. And this one” — Rafferty blinked rapidly to clear his sight — “is for you, Connor.” He handed the boy the yellow bag covered in racing cars.
