Page 98 of Timelessly Ours
I want to make sure she never has to face her past unexpectedly again.
“Let’s see.” I hear typing in the background and thank him again for pulling this information for me on a Saturday night. “Mike’s Ale House. Dicky’s Tavern. Oh, what do you know, Sylvie’s Bikers and Babes.”
"Those are all downtown. Does he live around there?”
“Like I said, we’re keeping an eye on him, but that’s all I can tell you.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Why do I get the feeling, this is more than just looking out for your daughter’s new nanny?”
“I never told you she’s Rory’s new nanny.”
“Oh. Did you think your ex-wife could know something and not tell the universe?”
I grunt. “Good point.”
“See you at the game Monday?” he asks, hopeful.
“I’ll get you a sweatshirt.”
“My kid wears a medium.”
I smile. “See you soon, Dave.”
“Hey.” The voice comes from my bedroom door and I turn, my heart in my throat.
“Hey,” I say, my usual calm voice abandoning me.
“Who was that?”
“A friend.” Jesus, could I sound any more guilty?
When she playfully approaches me and tugs on my shirt, the tension in my shoulders releases. Was my door open? Did she hear any of that?
“You know”—she swipes her fingers across my collar—“I have a Royce Collins sweatshirt.”
I chuckle. “I remember. You purchased it at the fundraiser last year. Your brother teased you about not picking his…since it had your last name on the back.”
“I’m glad you didn’t mind when I chose it.”
Mind? Fuck, I was ready to make it her last name if that was the only issue.
She’s quiet as she strokes my arm and I feel myself tense again. I don’t want to be overbearing and controlling her life—but I won’t risk her coming face to face with anyone from her past again.
I break the silence. “How’s Rory?”
“Out like a light. Told you you’d be thanking me for these lessons.”
“I am thanking you. But not just for the lessons, but for loving her enough to do anything to protect her.”
Her eyes lift to mine. “I do love her. Do you think she can feel it?”
“I’m sure she does,” I say. But if I know my daughter, she won’t let on to knowing how much she’s loved. “But her walls are concrete, it’ll be a while before she shows it.”
There’s a knowing grin that touches her lips. “I’ll just have to break them with my steel ones.”
I frown and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. “Walls of steel, huh?”