Wild Hearts (The Wilde Brothers #5)

Chapter 2

2

ADDISON

I t was surreal talking to Walker Wilde. We met at fourteen.

He was the quintessential brooding bad boy. The new guy in school whose parents had died in a car accident. He had a chip on his shoulder and growled at anyone who dared talk to him.

When we ended up in the same ski class, I realized that despite who his family was, he wasn't good at skiing. When he fell on a relatively easy slope, I stopped and helped him up. I gave him some pointers which he grudgingly took.

I stayed by his side because I got the impression he didn't want the Wildes to know he wasn't good at the family business. We became unlikely friends, and it evolved into a teenage relationship. He broke things off when he enlisted.

We had unresolved issues between us, but I'd set them aside. I wanted to be the one who handled his daughter's case. Not because I wanted to confront him about our past, but because I needed to be there for him now.

My heart ached for Dakota and Walker. Their situation was difficult, but I hoped it worked out for them .

Dakota was understandably upset about moving across the country to meet her father. Her grandparents were traveling with her to Colorado.

When they arrived, I met with them in the hotel lobby.

I approached them. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm Addison Montgomery."

"I'm Blanche, and this is Dennis," the woman said.

"Thank you so much for bringing her."

"We don't mind her meeting her father, but we were hoping she could stay with us. Everything she knows is in Virginia. Her school, friends, and the memories of her mother. She doesn't even know this man."

I was worried about this. "That sounds lovely, but the courts want to reunite her with her father. The courts usually find that it's in the best interest of the child to live with his or her biological parents before we look to extended family."

"He's a stranger to her. To us," Dennis added.

"I know this is difficult, but I don't want you to get your hopes up. Walker has indicated that he wants his daughter to live with him here in Colorado." If the couple requested visitation with their granddaughter, I'd advise Walker against it at first. Walker needed to get to know his daughter without any outside interference. I wasn't sure if her grandparents would poison her against her father, but I didn't want to take any chances. If she was going to give him a chance, they needed time to be alone.

"Dakota should be able to see us whenever she wants. We're her grandparents. The only family she knows at the moment."

"She has the right to get to know her father, and I can't make any promises about visitation. That would be up to Walker." Confrontations like this were difficult, but I'd gotten better at them over the years. Remain calm.

"Dakota doesn't even want to meet him," Blanche said .

"It's my job to introduce her to her dad and let them get to know each other." Walker and I had our differences, but he was responsible and hardworking. He'd immediately requested a discharge from the military so he could focus solely on his daughter, and he had a large family willing and able to assist him.

"I don't like it," Dennis said.

I gave him a sympathetic look. "I know this is hard."

Blanche's brow furrowed. "Can we be there when she meets him?"

"I'll ask Dakota what she wants to do. Can I see her?" Dakota was my charge, and I needed to ensure that I was doing what was right for her.

"I'll take you to her room." Blanche walked with me to the elevators.

"Have you ever had to do this before?" she asked as the elevator doors opened.

"I haven't. But I've been speaking with a colleague who handled a similar case."

"It doesn't feel right," Blanche said as the doors opened on the sixth floor.

I followed her to the door. "This is going to be hard on everyone involved."

Blanche sighed and knocked.

The door opened slowly. "Grandma? What?—"

Dakota broke off when she saw me. Her resemblance to Walker was striking. She had dirty blond hair, the same nose and stubborn tilt in her jaw. She wore the usual teen wardrobe of a hoodie and jeans with sneakers. Large head phones hung around her neck.

I smiled reassuringly. "I'm Addison. We've talked on the phone. It's so nice to finally meet you."

Her gaze flitted from me to Blanche. "Hi."

Blanche tilted her head toward me. "Miss Montgomery is here to take you to see your father. But she wanted to talk to you about it first."

Her nose scrunched as if she'd rather be doing anything else. "Okay."

"I'll leave you two alone. Come down when you're ready." Blanche turned to leave.

"Thanks, Blanche. I appreciate it." I wasn't sure she'd give us the space to talk. But I wanted to make it appear as if it was Blanche's decision. Cooperation was key.

"Do you mind if I come in?" I asked Dakota.

She stepped back, sitting on the edge of an unmade bed. Her suitcase was open on the second bed, so I sat on the only chair in the room. "How was your trip?"

She sighed. "Long."

She wasn't going to make this easy on me. "I'm going to facilitate your meeting with your father today. I'll be there the entire time. Your grandparents expressed interest in attending, and I wanted to know what you thought about that."

She raised a brow. "I get a choice?"

"It's ultimately up to your father. But I'll let him know how you feel. I know he wants you to be comfortable. You're his first priority."

Her eyes widened. "I don't know what to do."

It was possible she felt conflicted—loyal to her grandparents, yet curious about her father. "Do you want to leave it up to your dad?"

She let out a breath. "I think I'd like to meet him with you there. Is that okay?"

"We can do whatever you're comfortable with. I'll let Walker know."

I stood and moved toward the door.

She asked, "What's he like?"

I turned to face her. "Your father?"

She nodded. "Grandma said you knew him from school. "

"I met him right after his parents died and he came to live with his aunt and uncle. He was new to our school."

She lifted her chin slightly. "His parents died?"

"In a car crash when he was fourteen." I was positive that Walker would be okay with me telling her this information. In fact, it might be easier on him if she already knew his history.

"I didn't know."

"I know he's a bit of a mystery to you now. That's why we're doing this, for you to get to know each other and feel more comfortable."

She bit her lip.

"Are you ready to go, or do you need a few minutes?"

She stood. "I need to use the restroom."

"I'll wait for you downstairs." I left the room, letting out a shaky breath. This was untraveled territory for me. I was facilitating a first-time meeting between a daughter and her father, and I knew the father intimately once upon a time. Would it be awkward? Would all the old feelings come rushing back?

Addison: Dakota wants to meet you without her grandparents present. Is that okay?

Walker: Yeah, whatever she wants.

Addison: Thanks.

That was the answer I was hoping to hear. Walker was sensitive to her feelings. That would be important in the coming days and weeks.

I took the elevator down to the lobby. When I stepped out, my phone rang. Seeing it was Walker, I ducked into an empty room. "Walker?"

"How is she?"

"She looks just like you," I couldn't help but gush, dropping the professional tone I'd kept with Blanche and Dennis .

He blew out a breath. "I didn't look her up on social media. I wanted to see her for the first time in person."

"Not a bad idea." That way his reaction to his daughter would be real, and Dakota would see it.

His voice lowered. "What's she like?"

"She seems like a typical teenager who's lost her mother. She's guarded, vulnerable."

Walker sighed heavily. "I hate that she's going through this, but I'm not sorry that I know about her now."

My heart kicked up at the idea of seeing him soon. "Where do you want to meet her? In your house?"

"I think that would be best."

"I have to be present during the first meeting."

"That's fine. I want to do everything by the book."

"We'll be there soon."

"Addison?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're the one who's doing this for us."

"I am too."

He hung up, but the old feelings for him churned in my chest. At one time, he was my everything. I loved him until he walked away.

I took several deep breaths before I went to greet Blanche and Dennis. I couldn't let my feelings for Walker influence me. I was only involved because of my professional capacity as a social worker. Not as his ex-girlfriend.

I smiled tentatively as I approached Dennis and Blanche. "Dakota asked that I be the only one present at the first meeting."

Blanche opened her mouth to say something, but Dennis touched her arm. "Let's do what Dakota wants. I don't want to make this harder on her than it already is."

"I'll be present for the entire visit, and I'll bring her back here when it's over." We'd already planned for several meetings before Dakota went to live with Walker. It was a gradual process, but I didn't want to wait too long for her to be with him. It was imperative that she move on to her new life and get settled in. Walker had decisions to make regarding her education, and I wanted him to have time to do it.

Dakota joined us. She still wore the headphones around her neck with a book bag slung over her shoulder.

"This will be a short visit," I said to them. This was standard protocol in situations like this so as not to overwhelm the child.

Dakota hugged her grandmother, then her grandfather. "I'll be okay."

The affection between them was obvious. I was sure her mother's death brought them even closer together.

We headed toward my car and drove the short distance to the Wilde Ski Resort. As we drove past the main lodge onto the road that veered through the property to the cabins, Dakota asked, "My father owns this?"

"His family does." I glanced over at her to catch her awed expression.

"I'll be living on a ski resort then?"

"Right now, Walker is staying in one of the cabins. He wanted you to have privacy and space to get to know each other."

"I'm going to be stuck on a mountain?" Dakota grumbled, and it was the first time I caught a bit of the teen angst I was expecting.

"The cabins are new, and I've heard they're considered luxurious. I think you'll like it." I'd inspected the cabin with Eli after he told me their plans. It was more than suitable for Walker and Dakota.

I pulled up to the last cabin and parked next to Walker's truck. He'd mentioned purchasing one as soon as he moved home. My impression was that he was all in with Dakota. I just hoped she'd give him a chance. But I had some experience with kids who were rehomed. It took a while for them to come around, if they did at all.

I turned off the car, and Walker came outside to wait on the porch. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, and he rocked back on his heels.

I waited for Dakota at the hood of my car. She was slower to get out and join me.

"Dakota, this is Walker Wilde. Walker, this is your daughter, Dakota." The pronouncement had tears stinging my eyes. I needed to get it together. Walker wasn't mine anymore, and this meeting was work related not personal.

Walker blinked, his expression overcome with emotion. "It's so nice to meet you, Dakota." When she remained quiet, he asked, "Do you want to come in?"

She nodded, and Walker gestured for her to precede him inside.

When she disappeared inside, he looked at me. "Why do I feel like I'm already messing up?"

I rested a hand on his arm. "You're not. Remember, she's been through a lot, and you're a stranger to her."

"I don't know what to talk about. I don't want to overwhelm her." He closed his eyes for a second. "I can't believe I have a daughter."

I nodded, my own tears threatening to spill. "Just be yourself, and keep it light."

He nodded. "I'll do my best."

I headed inside, finding Dakota in the kitchen, gazing around the space. The cabin was clean and tidy even though Walker had moved in since I inspected it. There were no framed photos or books to indicate who Walker was now.

He'd left at eighteen, and he could be a totally different person than he was back then. He might have matured and grown into someone different than the teen I knew.

"Are you hungry?" Walker asked her .

Dakota frowned. "I just ate."

"You want a tour of the place?" he asked hopefully.

Dakota nodded, and I waited in the kitchen while he showed her the bedrooms, the loft that doubled as a gaming room with a couch and another TV. I grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water.

I wanted to give them space, and this seemed like the perfect time to do it. Dakota was interested in the cabin. That was a good sign. I knew she had reservations about staying away from town, but hopefully, the luxurious accommodations made up for that.

When they returned, I set my glass next to the sink and joined them in the living room. Dakota took the couch, so I sat in the armchair. Walker sat in the only other available armchair. "I thought you might want to know a little something about me. I enlisted in the military at eighteen, wanting to be independent and responsible. I liked the routine and the discipline. I thrived in that atmosphere."

"But didn't you quit because of me?" Dakota asked, surprising both of us.

Walker glanced over at me and, at my nod, said, "You're my daughter. I've already missed thirteen years. I didn't want to miss one more."

Dakota's expression faltered for a second, and I saw the vulnerable girl, the one who'd just lost her mother, before she recovered. "My home is in Virginia."

"I know this is hard for you. You've lost your mother, and now you're moving across the country to live with a virtual stranger."

Her jaw tightened. "Then why are you making me do this?"

I held my breath, hoping Walker was capable of fielding her questions. It wouldn't be the first time she brought this up.

"I'm hoping you'll give living in Colorado with me and my family a fair shot. I have fond memories growing up on the resort. There's skiing, snowmobiling, and ice-skating in the winter. Hiking and zip-lining in the summer. My oldest cousin, Eli, and his wife, Scarlett, built a home on the property, not far from here. My cousin Oliver lives in town with his wife, Carolina, and his son, Joey. Xander and his girlfriend, Tori, live just outside of town."

"You'll like the Wilde family. They're very excited about you being here," I said to Dakota.

"My cousins work at the resort. Eli is the manager, Oliver handles the money, and Xander is in charge of outdoor activities. Killian is a famous snowboarder and only visits occasionally."

"What will you do?" Dakota asked, and I was hopeful this was a positive sign that she was interested in Walker's life here.

"I haven't decided yet. I have some time to figure it out though. I worked in the military for most of my adult life, and it will take some time for me to acclimate."

"This will be an adjustment for both of you," I said to them.

"Will I go to school here?" Dakota asked tentatively.

"Whenever you're ready, we can get you registered."

"What if I wanted to homeschool?"

Walker shifted in his chair. "Were you homeschooled before?"

Dakota was quiet for a few seconds, and then said, "I went to the public school in town."

"I think it would be best if we kept the same routine, at least at first. We can always reevaluate it. I want you to be happy."

I thought he handled that well. He wanted things to be relatively similar here, but he was open and willing to listen to her requests. I had a feeling she was testing him anyway. She had no intention of homeschooling. She probably wanted to see how much she could get away with.

Dakota bit her lip and repeated, "All my friends and my grandparents are in Virginia. "

"I know it sucks to leave everything you know and start over in a new town. I had to do the same when my parents died."

"I'm sorry for your loss." The anguish in Dakota's voice was palpable.

Walker nodded, acknowledging her admission. "I can understand some of what you're going through. But not all of it."

"I don't think anyone understands what I'm going through." Dakota's expression shuttered, and she turned toward me. "Can we go now?"

"If you want." It was a good first visit. It was to be expected that she'd want some space. The conversation had turned heavy. I handed her my car keys. "I'll be out in a minute."

Walker stood when she passed by him. "It was so nice to meet you, Dakota."

She merely nodded and kept walking. When she closed the door, I said, "I know it doesn't feel like it, but that was a good visit."

He shook his head. "You really think so?"

"She was vulnerable with you, and she seemed to connect with your shared histories. That will be important as you develop a relationship with her. It might be an area where you can gain her trust."

"I might know some of what she's going through, but I'm worried it won't be enough. She's a teenage girl who's only ever lived with her mother. I couldn't imagine going to live with someone I never met."

"That's why we schedule a few of these meetings." I touched his arm, then pulled back. "I'll be in touch about setting up more visits."

"Will I be able to be with her alone? I'd like to take her ice-skating and maybe even skiing."

"I don't see why not. I think that would be great."

Relief flooded his expression. "I can't believe I have a daughter. "

I smiled. "It will take some time to get used to."

"Thank you for being here. It helped."

"I'll see you later, Walker." It would be a struggle to keep things professional between us. I was so used to touching him or engaging with him as his girlfriend. It might have been years since he walked out of my life, but it felt like yesterday.