Page 12 of Tied to Hope
Mr. Gallant frowned good-naturedly, looking at Sir. “It is a father’s curse.”
He then turned to his wife. “But, it’s one I willingly accept because I’m lucky my girls take after their mother.”
“We will survive this together, husband,” Ena assured him.
Mr. Gallant took her hand and kissed it. “Yes, we will.” He looked at her with such admiration and tenderness that it made Brie’s heart melt.
Turning back to them, Mr. Gallant apologized. “How rude of me to stand here talking in the doorway. Please, do come in.”
Sir gestured for Brie to go first with the baby and gave Hope a wink as they passed by. Brie loved little interactions like that between Sir and Hope. Their daughter definitely seemed to bring out Sir’s lighter side.
Brie turned her head and smiled back at Sir as they walked down the hallway. He’d been afraid he would be too distant to be a good father, but what he hadn’t realized was the influence his daughter would have over him. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his little girl…
Ena led them to a room where Captain, Candy, and Baron were already seated. She bowed her head slightly, stating, “I must take care of the finishing touches for the meal.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Brie offered.
“No, my daughters enjoy helping me with dinner. Please stay and visit with the others.”
As she left the room, Baron stood up and walked over to Brie. “So, this is the little one?” He hadn’t been able to attend the large gathering at Rytsar’s and had yet to see their baby.
“Would you like to hold her?” Brie asked.
He grinned uncomfortably. “I don’t know how, really. Better pass.”
“I would love for Hope to get to know you better,” she told him. She helped rest Hope’s small head in his strong arms and smiled up at him. “Luckily, she doesn’t break.”
Baron’s arms were noticeably stiff as he looked down at the baby, but Brie saw him slowly starting to relax as he continued to hold her.
“She’s so tiny.”
Brie giggled. “Actually, she’s growing like a weed. You should have seen her when she was born.”
Kissing Hope’s little hand, she told him. “She was such a tiny thing back then.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Baron stated. “But I have to say, she definitely takes after her mother.”
Hope held up her hands, wanting to touch Baron’s face. He obliged her and chuckled when Hope tickled his chin with her small fingers. “She is a cute little thing.”
“I knew she would like you, Baron.” Brie smiled. “Like mother, like daughter…”
“Are the two of you planning to make more?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Her cheeks reddened as she glanced at Sir. “Actually, we are.”
“We believe every child deserves a sibling,” Sir stated. “Someone to share their childhood with.”
Baron laughed. “Well, I have to agree with that. Life wouldn’t be the same without brothers and sisters.”
He looked over at Captain questioningly before asking Sir, “Does that mean we will have to wait a few more years before you are able to join us?”
Sir glanced at Brie.
“We have talked about it,” he answered slowly. “Would you be open to us doing isolated lessons rather than being on staff? It would give us a chance to gauge how effective our lessons are and if this is something that will work for us in the future.”
Baron looked to Captain and Candy, who both nodded their approval.
Giving Hope back to Brie, he held out his hand to Sir. “I think that is a fine idea, Sir Davis.”
