Page 96 of Timelessly Ours
I lift her chin. “Promise me something. If you hear anything like that again, come to me.”
She hesitates and pouts. I hate that I’ve ruined her mood this morning. With a sigh, I twist her on top of me, so she feels in control. “Better?”
She giggles. “You sure know a way to my heart.”
I grip her hips. “Are you always going to be this stubborn?”
There’s a question in the way she’s looking at me, but she doesn’t get a chance to ask because there’s a knock on my door.
“Daddy?”
Nicole squeals and drops onto the mattress, pulling the quilt over her head.
“Coming, Squigs.” I lower my head to Nicole’s. “Don’t move from this bed.”
I pull the door open halfway and bend to greet my girl. “What are you doing up so early?”
“I can’t find Nicole.”
“Hmm…did you look downstairs?”
“No.”
“Okay, why don’t you get dressed and we can go look for her together.”
She bobs her curly head. “Okay. But I don’t smell any coffee so probably not.” Sighing, she stalks back to her bedroom like I’d just given her a chore.
“Coach Collins, did you just lie to your own daughter?”
I wince and join her back on the bed.
“I think that qualifies you as a hypocrite, sir.”
I drop my head. “You’re right. Let me call her back in here.” I stand and she yanks me back with impressive strength. “Jesus, woman.”
“Aww, did I hurt you?”
“No. But I’ll consider myself warned to never cross you,” I mumble against her lips. “Now get dressed. I’m taking you and Rory out to breakfast.”
By the look on her face, I know she’s still uncertain but doesn’t want to argue. And that’s not how I want to win this.
“Look, it’s the weekend. You’re off. I can’t make you come with us as Rory’s nanny. But I would really like it if you did.”
“I forgot I’m off today. Do you and Rory have plans? We have Taekwondo at three. And I was going to make those Mickey Mouse pancakes.”
It amazes me that this woman doesn’t tire of my daughter. And I give in. “Tell you what. I’ll start the batter and make coffee while you take your time getting dressed and meet us downstairs. Then we can all decide what we do.”
She nods like that's a plan she can work with. “Okay.”
I watch my spirited little girl take her stance in the crisp white uniform on the dojo floor. Her small frame is playful but serious as she tries to mimic the taller version of her a few feet away.
Nicole shoots tiny glares at Rory urging her focus, but silently giggling along with her.
I’m utterly enchanted with her. Unlike her little apprentice, Nicole expresses respect and self-control, bowing gracefully and moving at a pace appropriate to her opponents in this world of kicks and punches.
Nicole is yet to be knocked down, but Rory has landed on her little behind at least four times.
Frustrated, Nicky gives a warm smile to Rory’s student teacher and asks if she can step in. With intense determination and focus, Nicole goes through each one of the basic moves.