Page 42 of Daddy's Treat

A few minutes later, her mom leaves us with orders for Penny to rest. Penny scoots over to the far side of the bed. “Hold me, daddy?”

She sounds so sweet and so tired. I couldn’t deny her anything right now. Maybe not ever. I lay down beside her and wrap her up in my arms. Her breathing evens out, and I’m sure she’s asleep. Just like I have every night, I press a kiss to the top of her head and whisper, ‘I love you.’

“I love you too, Kade.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“I didn’t want to miss you telling me you love me again,” she says teasingly.

I hold her tighter against my chest. “I love you, shortcake.”

She’s quiet for so long I think she’s fallen asleep. “I guess I need to look for an apartment or something.”

“Baby girl, you’re supposed to be resting. Don’t worry about that right now. We will get it sorted once you’re better.”

“Sorry, daddy. I just… I don’t want to close my eyes. I might not remember what was done to me, but just hearing about it is enough to give me nightmares.”

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll be right here to chase the nightmares away.”

“I wish you could be with me every night, daddy.”

I give her a little squeeze. “I could be if you moved in with me.”

“Okay,” she says on a yawn.

This time she finally drifts to sleep. And when she wakes up crying and scared, I’m here to chase away the nightmares and kiss her tears away.

Epilogue

Penny—Three Months Later

I officially movedinto Kade’s house three months ago. It’s amazing. I love falling asleep with him every night and waking up with him every morning. It’s been the best three months of my life.

Well, the first month was a little rocky. I had nightmares nightly. It would start off as Carsen holding me down, then he would change into the clown that chased me through the corn maze… after the fifth night of me waking up screaming like I was being murdered, Kade made me start therapy.

I’m really thankful that he pushed me to go. It’s helped in a lot more ways than just working through what happened that night. Things are better with my parents. Well, mostly, my mom. She felt terrible for what happened. I’m not exactly sure what Kade said to her when he called, but whatever it was finally got through to her. She’s no longer pushing me to go to medical school. In fact, she arranged for recommendation letters to be sent to the top veterinary school in the United States. She might be willing to support my dreams, but she’s going to do it on her terms.

Everyone that was involved in what happened that night was arrested. Lucy and her mom got jail time for conspiring to have me raped and for drugging me. Oh, Dean Michaels was also charged with money laundering. Apparently, she’d been stealing from the college for years. All the guys who were involved were charged with attempted rape and sentenced to the maximum prison time allowed, followed by probation, and being on the sex offender registry for the rest of their lives.

I try not to dwell on it much. As far as I’m concerned, justice was rendered. Besides, I saw photos of Carsen and Smith after Kade got ahold of them. I’d say they got worse than I did in the long run.

Louise and Walt visited me in the hospital. Louise apologized to me for how she treated me, then apologized to Kade for her actions in the hotel room. She was super vague, and I didn’t ask for details. I trust Kade, and if he didn’t tell me about it, there’s nothing to tell.

Louise and I have become pretty good friends, actually. It’s been nice having a female friend. I didn’t realize I was missing that in my life. Kade is happy that we’re getting along. Walt calls me Aunt Shorty. Which I find hilarious. He’s probably the only person I know that’s shorter than me, but I know that won’t last for long.

I start bouncing my knee again, and Kade’s hand rests on top of it to hold it still. “Relax, shortcake.”

“I don’t think I can. This is a huge deal, Kade.”

Kade smiles and caresses my cheek. “It is a big deal, but we’ll get through it together.”

“You’re not the one who will be pushing a watermelon out of your pee hole.”

Kade throws his head back and laughs. “It’s a good thing you decided against medical school. I think you need some remedial anatomy courses.”

“Oh, hush.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Prescott? The doctor will see you now.”