Wild Hearts (The Wilde Brothers #5)

Chapter 1

1

WALKER

D id I have a thirteen-year-old daughter?

The white envelope laying on the counter contained the results of the DNA test that would indicate whether I was a father.

I never wanted to be a dad. My job wasn't conducive to having a family. When my parents died in a car accident, I was alone, and I wasn't eager to set that same scenario up for someone else.

I didn't want to worry about leaving a child behind. Now there was a teenager somewhere whose mother, before she died, signed a will indicating I was Dakota's father.

It was possible. I’d hooked up with a woman on one of my breaks, and the timing lined up.

I couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea of being a dad. If it was true, I wouldn't have nine months of pregnancy to get ready for it. I'd be the father of a thirteen-year-old girl. Was I ready for that kind of responsibility? Was I up for the challenge of caring for a girl who'd just lost the only parent she'd ever known? I was a stranger to her.

I was an only child myself. My oldest cousin, Eli, said the family would support me, but in reality, I was alone in this world. No parents. No siblings. No matter how much the Wildes made me feel like part of the family, I'd always felt separate from them.

I took a deep breath. I should get it over with. No more speculating about the what-ifs. My future might be different than I imagined, or it would be the same. I wasn't sure which one I wanted.

I ripped open the envelope and unfolded the white paper that had the potential to change my life forever. I skimmed the document until I got to the bold percentage that stated with 99.9% certainty: I was Dakota’s biological father.

I’m a dad.

I ran a hand through my hair, my heart thumping hard.

These same results had been sent to Dakota's social worker who was also my high school sweetheart, Addison Montgomery.

We'd been waiting for the test results so things could be set into motion. Dakota was living with her grandparents in Virginia. Addison said if I was the father, I'd have to decide whether I wanted to leave Dakota with her grandparents while I was stationed elsewhere, or if I wanted her to be with me.

I'd already inquired about the possibility of retiring from the military. My contract was nearly up, and I was Dakota's only living parent.

I remembered what it was like to be woken up and told your parents were gone, and that you were going to live with extended family. I needed to be there for her.

My phone buzzed.

"Addison," I said my voice tight. I wasn't prepared to deal with the fact that Dakota's social worker was my ex.

"You saw the results?" Addison asked, her voice tentative.

I swallowed. "I did."

"Have you decided what you want to do? I don't want to rush you, but it's best to make decisions so Dakota can get used to her new reality. Her grandparents live in Virginia and have offered to be her guardians."

"No." I hadn't fully wrapped my mind around the idea that I had a daughter, but I knew that she belonged with me. She might have known her grandparents for longer, but a daughter should be with her father.

"Are you sure? You could take some time to think about it."

"Dakota's mine. I have a lot of missed time to make up for. She's thirteen." The gravity that I'd lost thirteen years with my daughter was only just hitting me.

Addison was quiet as if she was letting me process everything.

"What do you suggest I do next? I've already spoken to my superiors about the possibility of retiring. They said it could be expedited given the circumstances."

"You should take your time getting to know her. Talk to her on the phone."

I'd never give up my daughter, even if Dakota had a closer relationship with her grandparents. Her mother had named me as the father. She wanted me to have her. Not only that—I wanted her.

"I'll arrange for Dakota to travel to Colorado."

"Who will go with her?" I asked, protective instincts I didn't even know I had roaring to the surface.

"If it would help, I can travel with her, or it's possible her grandparents will want to."

"Either would be fine." I didn't want her to be alone.

"Dakota might be upset about the prospect of moving across the country to live with a father she's never met and thought didn't want her."

My jaw tightened. "I didn't even know about her."

"That may be, but kids believe all kinds of things that aren't reality. It will be up to you to dissuade her of those beliefs. "

"I just found out I'm a father. I'm out of my depth here." The panic clawed at my throat.

"I can be a resource for you."

My chest tightened. We had our own history to contend with. I was just grateful she hadn't mentioned it. I was already overwhelmed with the idea that I was a father to a thirteen-year-old girl.

"I'll keep you informed of Dakota's well-being and her travel plans."

"I appreciate that." The line was quiet for a few seconds.

"I think it would be best if you talk to her soon. You can get to know each other."

"I can do that." I wasn't sure that I'd do a good job, but I'd try. I knew a little something about what it was like to lose your parents.

Addison was quiet for a few seconds, and then she said, "You know what this is like for her."

My throat was tight. I didn't trust my voice not to crack if I responded.

"I think that will help in this situation. Just remember no matter how much she lashes out, she's lost a mother. She's grieving and scared."

I tipped my head up to the ceiling, going back to the few days after I found out my parents died and that my whole life would change. I'd move from my childhood home to the Wildes'. I'd go from being an only child to one of seven. "I'm not an expert. I'm just hoping my best is enough."

"It will be. Just hang in there. It's going to be a bumpy ride."

When I told everyone that I was going to be a father, I got all kinds of advice, and there were lots of jokes about me raising a teenager with no parenting experience. It was in good fun, but I didn't think it was funny. I was tasked with raising a girl. It was a huge responsibility. I couldn't screw this up.

Dakota was going to be upset no matter what happened. I just hoped it wasn't a mistake to move her across the country and away from everything she knew.

The problem was that my life, or whatever I had outside of the military, was in Telluride with my extended family. I'd need their support for the next few months.

When I'd gotten Dakota's cell phone number, I couldn't do much more than stare at it. What did you tell someone who'd lost everything they'd ever known? And here I was removing her from what was familiar?

Would she lash out? Would she wonder why I hadn't been in her life before? It was a crucial point for me that her mother hadn't told me about her. But I had a feeling Dakota wouldn't give me a pass.

I wasn't sure I wanted to give myself one. As far as I could remember, I always used protection, but that didn't mean it hadn't failed. I should have been better about giving my information to her mother, Tammy. She could have tracked me through the military, but I wasn't sure if she'd even tried. That wouldn't have been an easy task without my last name.

That night, I'd wanted to have a little fun. There was no need to get to know the person I'd hooked up with. I regretted not exchanging information.

W hat did you say to your daughter when you were meeting her for the first time at thirteen?

Walker: This is your dad. I can't wait to meet you.

I didn't get a response until I was boarding my plane.

Dakota: Why didn't my mother ever tell me about you ?

I fumbled with my bag.

Walker: She might not have been able to find me. We didn't share much information the night we were together.

Was this an appropriate conversation with a thirteen-year-old? I had so much to learn about parenting.

Then it was radio silence until I had to turn off my phone. Before I powered off, I sent her one last message.

Walker: I'm getting ready to take off. I have to turn off my phone. But you're welcome to ask me anything you want.

If she had questions, I'd answer them as best I could. The problem was, I didn't know what lengths Tammy had gone through to find me, and we might never know.

I vowed that I'd answer with whatever information I had. I checked my phone as soon as I disembarked the plane, but the only message was from Addison.

Addison: Let me know when you arrive. We should probably set up a time for you and Dakota to meet for the first time.

Addison had suggestions for how to handle this situation, but it wasn't like she'd gone through anything like this with one of her clients before. Or at least not exactly the same thing. We were all trying to figure this out as we went.

Walker: I just landed, but I'd like to meet her as soon as possible.

I tucked my phone away so that I could head to baggage and grab my bags. Eli, my eldest cousin, stood by the carousel.

We hugged, slapping each other's back.

"It's good to have you back. "

"It's good to be back." When my contract was up, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. It would be easy to continue with the military, but Dakota's presence was the excuse I needed to break ties. I couldn't be a single dad to her if I was deployed, or stationed halfway across the world.

She deserved all of me. Addison had warned me that this would be a tough transition. She lost her mother, had to get to know a father she'd never met. What if she hated me? What if she hated Colorado? The questions didn't sit right with me.

Eli helped me carry my luggage to his truck parked in the hourly lot. Then we headed toward the family's ski resort.

"Will I be staying in the condo?" Eli reserved rooms for family on the top floor of the lodge. It's where I stayed on all my leaves.

Eli glanced over at me. "I thought you might want a cabin this time."

"I thought those were luxury builds. Don't you need them for your guests?"

"They're not fully booked yet, and you need your space. I didn't think you'd want to move in with me and Scarlett. And the condo is no place for a teenager."

"I don't know. She might have liked access to the rooftop deck and pool," I joked.

"I'm sure she would have loved it, but it would have given her the ability to disappear in the lodge. Remember when we did that?" Eli asked me.

I knew all too well that the lodge and the grounds had become my refuge when I came to live with the Wildes. "You want her to spend time with me."

"It's important, and I have a feeling she's going to avoid it for as long as possible. You know how teenagers can be."

"I didn't want to talk to anyone for a while. I kept saying I was fine. "

"But you weren't. Mom and Dad knew. But they gave you space."

"I'm not saying this would be any different. But it would allow you two to live as a family. She can't escape as easily as she could living in the lodge."

"That's thoughtful of you. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. You're family, and Dakota is now too."

"I can't believe I have a kid. A thirteen-year-old."

Eli grinned at me. "You're in for a wild ride."

I shook my head. "Addison said something similar."

"You two were tight in high school. But then it seemed like you broke things off."

"Yeah." I didn't want to share my secrets about my relationship with Addison. I wasn't proud of how I acted in the end.

"Is it going to be okay working with her?"

"I need her help. We're working toward helping Dakota. It's not about our past."

"Seems like it will be hard to avoid."

"Maybe so. But I'm okay with focusing on Dakota." I hadn't allowed myself to think about Addison. I'd been consumed with Dakota and my new role in her life. I didn't want to screw anything up. I couldn't get mired in the details of our shared past.

Dakota came first.

"We're here for you and Dakota. Whatever you need."

"I'm counting on that."I might have rebuked their efforts when I was a kid. But I was smart enough not to turn it down now. "I'm going to need whatever help I can get."

"You got it. You're a Wilde, and so is Dakota."

"What if she doesn't want all of this?" I asked as he pulled into the lodge and took one of the roads around the property and parked in front of a cabin.

"She'll come around. You're going to be a great dad."

Some of the tension unraveled. "How can you be so sure? "

"Because you remember what it was like to lose your parents. You'll be able to connect with her in a way other people couldn't."

I blew out a breath. "I don't know if that will be enough."

"All you can do is be there for her and love her," Eli said as he hefted the luggage from the bed of the truck. We carried it inside. The cabin was large and had every amenity.

The kitchen had high-end appliances, a gourmet island covered in marble, and the walls were rustic logs. There was a large stone fireplace, a huge deck with a view of the trees, and the master bathroom was large with an en suite.

Last, Eli showed me the two spare bedrooms located at the opposite end of the house. The setup would give Dakota privacy, and she had her own en suite. "Hopefully this is good enough for a teenager."

"Scarlett wants to take Dakota shopping so she can make the space her own, but she doesn't want to intrude on your time with her. So let us know when Dakota's ready to meet everyone."

"It might be overwhelming for her. I'm not sure what her life has been like."

"You'll figure it out."

I remembered being a sullen teenager, refusing to talk to anyone in those early days. It was Eli's dad who tried the hardest and had the best luck. I remembered that he was persistent and never gave up. That's how I had to be.

"Mom and Dad are coming home."

"Because of me and Dakota?"

Eli smiled. "They want to meet their niece."

I let out a breath. I hoped I had what it took to be a good dad to Dakota. I had a feeling she wasn't going to make it easy.