Page 13 of Daddy Reed

The monsters of the human variety…

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her about them. The monsters who hurt me. To put the fear in her heart of what could happen. But that would be a lot for a girl her age to hear and process. Not to mention, my curious child might continue asking questions. Questions that might have me confessing about her father and me.

“Bears would be terrible,” I admit. “Let’s just say there are people out there, and not everyone is good.”

I know I’m being vague, but that’s all she gets.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” Raegan says through gritted teeth. “I really didn’t mean to fall asleep on the roof.”

I let go of her hand to wrap my arm around her. Tugging her to me, I hug her and inhale her familiar scent.

“Thank you,” I say and then kiss her head. “But you’re still grounded.”

Chapter5

Reed

Raegan is safe.

The relief I feel is staggering. It was like every muscle in my chest that was responsible for making me breathe and holding my heart where it belongs was finally able to loosen. She had been home all along.

Devon was furious, but I find myself a little amused now that the fear is gone. Raegan’s name should have been Rowdy because she’s the one always stirring up trouble in this family. That girl loves the outdoors and wishes she were half-wolf.

“Another story,” Kota begs, tugging at my beard and bringing me back to the present. “For Deck.”

I glance over at his brother’s bed. Declan is already passed smoothly out.

“Nice try, kiddo, but it’s late.” I bend down and kiss my second-most unruly child’s head. “We’ll do two stories tomorrow night.”

He pouts, giving me his best pitiful, wounded animal expression, but I’m immune. I chuckle as I tuck him into bed. After turning off the lights, I leave the door cracked and then make my way down to the girls’ room. Destiny is already asleep, sweet and angelic, while Raegan sits with her back against the wall on her bed, arms crossed and frowning.

“Hey, sunshine,” I greet softly as I enter the room.

Her bright smile peeks through, chasing away all the storm clouds in her eyes. “Hi, Daddy.”

I stride into her room and then sit down beside her, mimicking her position. She leans her head against my shoulder.

“I just wanted to look at the stars,” she murmurs. “It’s so pretty at night. I was relaxed, and I don’t know, just fell asleep. I didn’t do it to make Mom mad or to scare you.”

“I know. Your mother worries. You know this.”

“She’d strap me to her back right next to Dawson if she could,” she grumbles. “Imagine that.”

We both quietly laugh at that image. With Raegan being as big, if not bigger than Devon, that would be comical to witness.

“I’m not like her,” she says with a huff. “I’m like you. I don’t want to babysit all day. I want to be outside all the time. It’s not fair.”

Always the same with this wild girl.

She wants to be free.

“How about this?” I say slowly. “You promise to stay off the roof and stop sneaking out at night, and I’ll promise to get you out of the house more. Deal?”

Raegan jolts up, her grin blinding and brilliant. “You really mean that?”

“I really do.”

“Deal.” She grabs my hand and shakes it exaggeratedly before throwing her arms around me in a hug. “Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

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