Page 93 of Fierce-Dane

“I think it’d be smart to stay in a hotel tonight. I’ve got one booked just in case. I had planned on going to my mother’s apartment with Shiloh and getting what she wanted to bring back.”

“We’ve got your contact information if we need anything,” Miranda said. “We will be in contact, but as your attorney most likely informed you, we have no reason to not release Shiloh to you. You’ve got no criminal record. You’re fully capable of financially supporting your sister, own your own home, and a business.”

“Not to mention she was legally named as Shiloh’s guardian,” Trent interjected.

“We are aware,” Miranda said, smiling. Trent had hammered that home more than once.

The door opened and she turned her head to see her younger half sister come through the door.

Not that she was aware of how tall a five-year-old should be, but Shiloh seemed tall to her.

Light brown hair long and hanging past her waist in two loose braids, one on each side. She wondered if it was ever cut.

Shiloh’s clothes were clean but not fitted all that well.

It just brought back such horrible memories of her mother trying but only being able to do so much.

“Hi,” she said. “I’m Sloane. Your sister.” She’d stood up in a nervous gesture.

Shiloh ran in and hugged her waist and she was helpless over what to do and went with her gut and hugged the girl back.

There were a lot of nods around the table and, somewhere in the deep recesses of her brain, Sloane thought it might just be okay.

27

TAKE FOR GRANTED

“What do you like to eat?” Sloane asked Shiloh when they were in their hotel room.

Shiloh shrugged.

Dane found it odd that the young girl had hugged a woman she’d never met before but then got quiet when it was time to talk.

But if there was one thing he’d learned about children, it was that they were resilient.

“We can get whatever you want,” Dane said. “I’ve got a son your age and a daughter two years older. When they are nervous or maybe scared they like to eat pizza. I’m not sure why, but they say it makes them feel better.”

“I’ve never had pizza,” Shiloh said.

“How about grilled cheese?” he asked.

She nodded her head yes. “I bet we can find a diner or restaurant around here with grilled cheese,” Sloane said.

The little girl was tall for her age. If he hadn’t seen the birth certificate he might have guessed her a few years older. She was probably Tiffani’s height and his daughter was right in the middle of the growth chart for her age.

“What is your daughter’s name?” Shiloh asked. “Will I meet her tonight?”

“Her name is Tiffani,” he said. “My son is Tyler. They aren’t with us now.”

“So they are my siblings too?” Shiloh asked.

“No,” Sloane said. “Dane is my boyfriend. They are his kids.”

“You don’t live here,” Shiloh said. “Mom said you live far away.”

He saw Sloane smile. “About five hours. We are going to go to my house tomorrow, but we’ll stay here tonight and go back to your house tomorrow before we leave.”

“Will I have my own room?” Shiloh asked. “I sleep on the couch now. I always wanted my own room.”