3. Colony Miles
The day had been a long one.
Between traveling back and forth for Daddy’s procedure and work, I was swamped. All I desired to do was go home, shower, and get in bed, but I promised Olive I would close the center tonight so she could handle her business.
Center of Love closed at six o’clock. It was going on seven, and Kehlani was the only one there.
When I asked where her aunt was, she informed me that her father would be picking her up.
I let it get to fifteen minutes after six before calling him.
He promised he’d be on his way within the next ten minutes, but it was obvious, that was a lie.
I was growing irritated. While I loved Kehlani, I needed to go home. She wasn’t doing anything but playing with the toys and talking my head off. Every so often, I’d zone out, thinking about my father.
“Ms. Miles, are you okay?”
Her sweet little voice snapped me from my thoughts. A small smile spread across my lips as I bobbed my head. “Yes, I am. Just a little tired.”
“Was your daddy ever late picking you up?”
“Sometimes. It happens. Do you think your daddy is almost here?”
She lifted her shoulders to her earlobes. “He works a lot, so I’m not sure.”
Sticking my tongue to the roof of my mouth, I carefully thought on what I wanted to ask her next. I didn’t want to trigger her or anything, so I decided against it. Instead, I got up and went to sit next to her. She scooted closer to me and started explaining her interaction with the dolls.
Another fifteen minutes passed before I heard the doorbell ring. Kehlani hopped up with the biggest smile on her face. She rushed to grab her things before grabbing my hand and leading me to the front like she was the boss.
“I bet that’s my daddy.” She gushed. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. He’s really nice, and he’s the best cook in the world.”
I didn’t think Kehlani was lying, but I wasn’t in the mood for a nice interaction with him.
Her father was the reason I wasn’t at home, and he needed to know it was unacceptable being as late as he was.
With a little force, I swung the door open.
Kehlani released my hand and flew into her father’s arms. I looked up to give him a nasty but nice greeting and found myself speechless.
That man was too damn fine for his own good.
The way he smiled at Kehlani, showing off his beautiful teeth, hardened my nipples. I was grateful I had on some thick fabric, or he would’ve easily noticed.
His inked skin was the color of a perfectly toasted pecan. I could see tattoos on every exposed part of him and wondered if his covered parts were the same.
And for him to have just gotten off work, his scent was heavenly. The mixture of cocoa and musk embedded into my nostrils, something I’d recognize even if he wasn’t around.
“Daddy! What took you so long?” Kehlani pouted with her arms folded as she grilled him.
“I’m sorry, KeKe. Daddy had an extremely long day at work, and I lost track of time. I promise you, it won’t happen again.” He kissed her nose, and Kehlani visibly melted. To my surprise, her father turned to me with his hand out. “I’m Keondra Daily.”
I gently placed my hand in his, feeling prickles of electricity shoot up my arm. His hands were so soft that I almost didn’t want to let go.
Giving him a firm handshake, I introduced myself. “I’m Colony Miles. You’re quite late, Mr. Daily. You do know there is a late fee, correct? You’re over an hour late from the designated pick-up time. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, it is. How much is it?”
“One dollar per minute, so seventy-five dollars.”
“Damn.” Keondra gently placed Kehlani on her feet and dug into his pocket.
He retrieved his wallet, opened it, and counted off the money.
When he handed it to me, our hands grazed, and goosebumps pebbled on my skin.
“I apologize for being late, Ms. Miles. I had a situation at my business, and I couldn’t get away on time.
I’ll be picking Kehlani up and dropping her off for the rest of the week, so my tardiness won’t happen again. ”
“What’s tardiness, Daddy?” Kehlani inquired.
“It means my lateness, KeKe.”
“So, you mean you won’t be late picking me up again?”
“Yes.”
Kehlani asked the question we were both wondering. “And what if you are?”
Keondra squatted to become eye level with Kehlani. “If I am, I will take a day off from work, let you stay home, and we will do whatever you want.”
The way Kehlani’s eyes sparkled as she bounced on her toes was precious. It was obvious she desired that special time with her father, and I secretly hoped he made it happen without him being late.
“You promise, Daddy?”
“I promise.” He kissed her nose, stood up, and reverted his attention to me. I didn’t miss the way his eyes, which were shielded by round glasses, slowly traveled up the length of my frame. “Thank you for staying with her.”
“Of course. It’s my job. Just know if this becomes a pattern, I may have to get legal services involved.”
That was a part of my job that I didn’t particularly care for. Every parent’s situation was different. I didn’t mind being lenient, but I also had a job to do. Not only did I need to protect my babies, but I also had to protect myself. Laws and rules were put in place for a reason.
Keondra jerked his head back and scowled. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, legal services. Trust me, it is the last thing I desire to do, but it is a part of my job. I trust that you understand.”
“Yeah.” Keondra ran his tongue over his teeth and kissed them. “I do.”
Without another word, he grabbed Kehlani’s hand and walked away.
I watched them until they drove off, feeling the aftereffects of striking his nerves.
When it came to their situation, I needed to know more.
I wanted to know more, so after I made sure the center was locked up, I called the one person I knew would have information.
“Hey, Colony. How’s Mr. Martin doing?” Olive quizzed when she answered the phone.
“He’s good. A little sore but good. We should find out the results in a week.”
“Everything is going to come back fine. He’ll receive a clean bill of health, and everyone will be able to breathe.”
I released a shaky sigh. “I surely hope so. Honestly, I haven’t been able to get a good night’s sleep since they told me. I probably won’t until we know for sure.”
“That’s understandable, but you do need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and not overthinking it. Pray about it and give it to God. There isn’t anything else you or anyone else can do about it.”
“You’re right, Olive. Thank you. How’s my baby feeling?”
“Girl, he’s with his dad, so he’s good.”
I giggled. Parker loved his mom, but when he was with his father, he almost forgot Olive existed. It was the sweetest thing, and I loved that so much for him.
“Oh, girl. You’re a distant memory.”
Olive snorted. “Tell me about it, but what are you up to? It sounds like you’re driving.”
“I am. I just left the center.”
“Why so late?”
“Because Kehlani’s father was over an hour late picking her up,” I revealed, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel.
Visions of him flashed in my mind. He was intriguing to me, and I had a feeling he’d be crossing my mind more than I’d like him to.
“Wait, where was her aunt?”
I shrugged as if Olive could see me. “I’m not sure. All I know is that Keondra told me he’d be the one doing the pickups and drop-offs for the rest of the week.”
“Hmm. She must be out of town or something. He’s always at his restaurant, so I’m not surprised he was late.”
“What’s his deal? I mean, it’s obvious he’s a single father. Where’s Kehlani’s mother?”
“Oh, Colony. You don’t know?”
“Would I be asking if I did?”
Olive gasped. “Oh, don’t get an attitude now. I heard all that sarcasm.”
“Now, you know I wasn’t getting an attitude, Olive. I was simply stating the obvious.”
“Mm-hmm. Well, if you must know, Kehlani’s mother dropped her off on Keondra’s doorstep when she was two and never looked back.”
“She did what?”
“Girl, that’s what I said. As a mother, I would never.
I can’t even imagine my life without Parker, but apparently, she could.
From what I heard, she wanted to live her life without the responsibilities of being a mother.
Keondra’s mother and aunt have been helping him raise her ever since.
He’s extremely protective of her, so it took him a while to warm up to her being at the center.
Do you remember me getting agitated about a father who would call numerous times of the day checking on their child? ”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“It was him. It took his aunt talking to him for him to stop. I mean, I understand why he is like he is. The one woman who was supposed to love and protect their daughter didn’t. I’m glad he has help, or he’d be a complete wreck.”
That explained everything, and my heart truly broke for Keondra and Kehlani.
I could only imagine how upset I’d made him by throwing up legal services.
For the last few months, he’d trusted us with Kehlani, but I worried that would change.
The thought of reaching out to him and further explaining myself crossed my mind.
I wanted to comfort him, give him a peace of mind that my intentions weren’t to remove Kehlani from his care, but I knew it was best to leave it where it was.
Maybe he’d keep his word and not be late again.
“Oh, wow,” I mumbled after a few moments of silence. “That’s a lot. Kehlani is the sweetest girl, so I hate that for her. Not being in her life is truly a loss for her mother.”
“I agree. It is, but she’s blessed to have her father and his family in her life. They show up for her always.”
Hearing that made me feel better, but Keondra and Kehlani lingered in my mind for the rest of the night.
I went to sleep thinking about them, asking God how I could be a positive force in their lives.
With Kehlani and I having a special bond, I was more than willing to go above and beyond to make sure she was good.
Only thing was, I wasn’t quite sure her father would let me.