Page 98 of Protector Daddy

“Don’t freak, Honey. I know about sex.” She lowered her voice. “I’ve even had it. Don’t tell my Dad.”

I looked at her, aghast. “You honestly think I’m going to sit there and chat about your sex life with him? Nuh uh-uh. We did not even have this conversation. As far as I’m concerned, if the journalism thing doesn’t work out, you’re enrolling in a nunnery.”

She giggled harder, her flushed cheeks bringing out her freckles. She really was so pretty.

“Look, I don’t want to overstep. I was lucky enough to grow up with parents who are still married so I have no experience with step-parents or any of that. I don’t have a clue how blended families work. But I want to do this right. So if I’m being an assho—um, if I’m being annoying, please clue me in. I don’t want to make things harder for you.”

“I don’t really know how they work either. It’s always been me and my mom and then me and my mom and Kyle.” She scrunched up her nose. “He’s always in my business. He tries hard but…”

“Yeah. I get you needing your space.” I blew out a breath that ruffled my hair. “Which is what I wanted to ask you. Would you like to meet your family with just you and your father? This first time for all of you should be special. I can get to know them some other time.”

“Do you not want to go?”

“Nah, I’m okay with meeting them. It’s important to Christian so it’s important to me. Besides, no way on the planet can they be any weirder than my family.”

The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Will I get to meet your family too someday soon?”

“Yeah, if you’re cool with it. I’d really like you to meet them. I mean, c’mon, I sold them so well, you’ve gotta be dying to meet them now.”

“Definitely.” She stroked Boomer’s head while he gazed up at her adoringly.

Like he used to look at me.

But I could share him, I supposed. He had enough love to go around.

My phone went off in my hand and I glanced down to see a SOS text from Tabitha.

Tabitha

I have a favor to ask. Desperate. Presley has some kind of bug. She’s been fussing and crying all night. I can’t open the bakery. I’m going to take her to urgent care if she doesn’t settle down soon.

Quickly, I replied.

I have to work a Dispatch shift this am. I swapped with the other new Dispatcher. You can’t reach anyone else?

Tabitha

No. Tiffany has a migraine. Mickey isn’t answering her phone. Van has an important meeting with her agent. It’s a weekend and I know it’s short notice. I can leave her with Brady for an hour so I can get it open if you can come in and work my shift today maybe? I just don’t feel good leaving her. She’s so small.

I understand. Let me see what I can figure out. Give her a smooch for me and I’ll text you back asap.

Tabitha

Thanks. Love you. You’re a lifesaver.

“What’s wrong?” Reagan asked, narrowing her eyes at me. “You look pale.”

“My baby niece is sick. I have to work but now my sister-in-law needs me to open her bakery because she can’t reach anyone else and my brother can’t handle his sick baby alone. I’m sure he can figure it out, but I get why Tab wants to be there. It’s the first time Presley hasn’t felt good.”

“So what does this mean? You have to bag on your shift at the police station?”

“Yeah, I think so. Or I’ll have to work tonight so Miranda can take her morning shift back.” I chewed on my thumbnail. “Looks like you’ll have the family all to yourselves, anyway.”

“I didn’t mind you going. It’s going to be a lot, you know? My mom’s family is small. The Mastersons donotsound small.”

“They certainly aren’t, in numbers or stature.”

Reagan stuck her bare foot out from under the comforter. “So that’s where I get these giant feet.”

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