Page 54 of The Captain's Little Girl

“Maybe I should try it,” Mark said, lifting the glass to take a small sip. “Now that’s delicious.” He lifted it to drink again, and Cricket quickly wrapped her hand around the container to pull it back toward her.

“Mine, Daddy.”

“Sorry, baby girl. I won’t steal anymore.”

“Thank you.” Cricket took the glass and placed it securely on the small patio table next to her before picking up her hamburger to take another bite. She noticed Mark smirking slightly but chose to ignore it. It was okay for him to be right occasionally.

“I got a letter today from Hank,” Doniphan announced as he pulled an envelope from his pocket.

“From Hank Murdock?” Mark asked in surprise.

“I’d like to read it to you if everyone agrees. I promise it’s perfectly suitable for the Littles to hear,” Doniphan promised.

“I’d like to hear it,” Hope said quickly and looked over her shoulder at her daddy to make sure that was okay.

He patted her thigh and agreed. “I’d like to know what he wrote as well.”

When Doniphan received a nod from everyone else, he pulled out the sheet of paper and read:

Soldier Daddy Team 1

Thank you for reading my letter. I didn’t get a chance to apologize to everyone for scaring Hope and causing her to run away. If I could rewind time, I would handle that situation very differently. I know Littles have tender hearts and should be protected above everything else.

The team should be commended for your incredible feats of skill, strength, and bravery. I applaud all your successes, wish the best for you, and pray every time you’re deployed. My time with you helped me heal from the loss of my little girl. Being with a bunch of daddies who understood the unique relationship gave me solace when I needed it most.

I am truly sorry for breaking our team’s trust and bond. Sam and Hope, my apologies to you for endangering your budding relationship.

A special person encouraged me to write this letter. She knew that I’ve punished myself over the last few months more severely than the broken nose I deservedly left town sporting. She believes in the adage of carpe diem and encourages me to seize the day to live my best life.

If you wonder where I landed, luck placed me in another team of amazing warriors. I call them Soldier Daddies Team 2 for they are all searching for the same special relationship that you all have been blessed to find.

Stay strong. Come back home. Love every day you have with your Littles.

Hank Murdock

“He listed his phone number underneath. I’d like to call him and put it on speaker if you’d be interested in talking to him together,” Doniphan suggested.

Everyone looked at Hope and Sam. That dreadful night had affected them the most. Cricket realized that whatever they decided would be the team’s decision.

“I’ve always felt bad that Hank left. It was such a high stress event with everyone charging in when I set the alarm off at Sam’s house. Then I was so new at being a Little, I didn’t realize that all the men were daddies. I definitely didn’t know that Hank was a daddy and that he’d lost his little girl. That’s so sad,” Hope said in a rush of words.

“You’ve been worrying about this, haven’t you?” Sam asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

When she nodded, Sam added, “I’ll admit that wasn’t my finest hour of self-control, either. The thought of losing Hope when I’d just found her pushed me over the edge.”

“Call him,” Mark ordered.

Doniphan punched in the numbers and turned on the speaker. Hank answered on the first ring.

“Hello? Doniphan?” Hank asked.

“Yes. This is me. I have you on speakerphone. I’m here with the team. We just read your letter and called.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to speak to you. First, let me apologize…”

“Hank, it’s Sam. Hope and I are married now. We both learned how to handle a scary situation differently.”

“I’m sorry I ran away. I should have stayed and listened,” Hope said quickly. “I’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time but didn’t know how to contact you. Thank you for reaching out.”

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