Chapter Seventeen
Angel was tugged from fitful sleep when she was pulled against another person. A shiver of unease built until she smelled the scent she had memorized. The scent had permeated every cell in her body.
It took a moment to figure out he wasn’t supposed to be there. She turned her head and saw the worry in his eyes. “Da ... Thomas, what are you doing here?”
“First of all, what do you call me?”
“T-Thomas.”
“Wrong. Try again,” he said.
Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t.”
He pressed his lips against her temple. “Yes, baby, you can. I’m your daddy, and I will always be your daddy.”
“But I saw him.”
Thomas nodded. “I know. I’m so sorry you got scared, and I wish you had come to me.”
“I didn’t want to make it harder for you.”
“Make what harder, Sweetheart?” he asked.
“Getting rid of me.” She couldn’t hold back the sound of despair.
He turned her onto her back and leaned over her. “I’m never getting rid of you. I’ll say it a thousand times, but I know it will take time for you to trust me fully.”
Angel sniffed. “But I do trust you more than anyone in my life.”
“Not enough to take what I say as the truth. I’ve told you I love you and you’re never leaving me. That’s never going to change.”
“Then why was that man here?”
“I know you’re still afraid of the man, and I wanted you to let that fear go. I thought that would settle you and make you feel more secure. I had a private detective find him for me.”
He pressed his lips together. “Sweetheart, there was no way I’d let him near you if I didn’t feel it was safe.
When he called me and told me about the situation, I knew you would feel better seeing his face as he told his story.
I needed you to see the truth with your own eyes so you could finally let go of that last part of your past.”
“What did he say?” she asked.
“I want him to tell you, but I will tell you that you have nothing to fear from the man. He hasn’t come to take you from me, and he never could if he tried.”
She thought about it for a moment and nodded.
She wanted to beg him to tell her what the man said, but she knew her daddy wouldn’t tell her anything, no matter how much she bugged him.
In fact, she would usually find herself facedown over his lap a few times and feel the sting of his palm on her bare ass for pushing him.
Angel studied her daddy and caught the shadows of guilt and pain in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Daddy.” She tightened her arms around his neck and wept against his shoulder.
Her bout of tears seemed to last forever, and he held her the whole time, talking softly to her about his feelings and their future.
When she finally calmed down, he wiped her face with his shirt. She relaxed against him and sighed. She felt drained and just wanted to go to sleep, but first she needed to reassure Thomas.
“I love you, Daddy.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, too, baby. So much I feel like I’ll burst sometimes.”
Her eyes widened. “Me, too.”
“Good. Now, let’s get some sleep, and we’ll head home in the morning.”
“We can’t go now?” she asked.
“No, Sweetheart. It’s too dark out.”
She nodded, tucked her head under his chin, and sighed before falling asleep. It only felt like an hour had passed before she was awoken. The bed moving jostled her. She glanced at the window to see the dawn begin to lighten the forest, then at Thomas.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I’m going to saddle the horse, and then we’re going home. I need to get you bathed and fed, and then we’re going to nap for a bit.”
She nodded and watched him stride out the door. She rolled out of bed and gathered her things before folding the blanket.
“Are you ready, Sweetheart?” he called from outside.
“Yes, Daddy.” She closed the cabin door behind her, walked to him, and handed him her things. She watched him tie them to the back of the saddle before lifting her onto the horse.
She gripped the saddle horn and gasped when he got on.
“Easy, baby. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.” He adjusted her until she was pressed back against him, and his arms were around her waist as he led the horse away from the cabin.
It didn’t take nearly as long to get home as it did the day before. They rode into the yard, and she waved at a few of the guys who smiled their way.
Thomas slid from the saddle, reached up for her, and set her on her feet before untying her bag. He grabbed her hand and led her into the house.
Daisy threw the towel down on the counter and came to her, pulling her into her arms. Angel held on tightly to the older woman with whom she had become close over the last several months.
“Don’t you ever scare us like that again,” Daisy said.
“I won’t. I promise. I’m sorry I worried you.”
“You should be. I think I’ve got a dozen new gray hairs today.”
Angel giggled, knowing Daisy was kidding.
“We’re going up to our room,” Thomas said. “After I get her in the bathtub, I’ll come down for some food.”
“I’ll have a tray made up for you,” Daisy said. “Get some rest, you two. I’ll keep everyone away unless it’s an emergency.”
Thomas smiled. “Good. We’re both wiped out.”
Angel waved to Daisy as Thomas led her out of the kitchen and up the stairs. In the bathroom, he started the water in the deep tub before stripping her and tying her hair up in a bun. “Let’s get you in. I’ll be right back and take a bath with you.”
“Yes.” She clapped.
She settled into the hot water, rested back against the porcelain, and closed her eyes. She dozed until he walked back into the room and began undressing.
Angel felt at peace. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt to this degree before. The fact that her daddy came for her told her a lot and made her feel more secure than ever.