Page 22 of Stealing the Dancer
“Whitley!”he calls, and I can see the devastated expression as he searches.
“I’m here, Dad.”
Everyone turns in our direction, and the relief he obviously feels is so great, he falls to his knees.“My princess.”
I release my hold on Whitley to help her up so she can go to her father.She’s wobbly on her feet, and as soon as I walk her over, she goes down on her knees next to him.The two of them embrace, and although he doesn’t shed a tear, I can see every emotion possible cross his eyes.Fear, gratitude, and then resentment.I follow his eyes and see him glaring daggers at Hagen.
“So I was betrayed,” Roy says, and I nod.“Thank you for finding my princess and for saving her.”
“I love her, it’s my job,” I tell him, and to my surprise he reaches for my shoulder and squeezes it.
“We’ve got a lot to discuss,” he says to me and then to Whitley, “Right?”
“Yeah, I think we do,” she answers.
Epilogue
WHITLEY
Many years later…
“Idon’t deserve this honor.”My father stares down at me in my white wedding dress.His eyes are soft, and there’s no coldness in them anymore.He’s let himself open up more over time, and I think Sophia, who we named after my mom, is a big part of that.
The first time I watched him hold her, I cried.This side of my dad, locked away since he lost my mother, finally broke free.Without my freedom, there would be no Sophia or two little boys growing inside of me now.I’m only a few months along, but the bump is already showing.Thankfully, my fluffy dress hides it.
I’ve been married for over five years, but today, we’re renewing our vows.Mack was quick to get me down the aisle the first time, but this wedding was more planned out, and now my dad can be with us.
Hagen wasn’t lying when he said my father was trying to retire and disappear.Turns out, Hagen disappeared quicker than anyone else.I didn’t ask what happened to him; that’s between my father and Hagen.His old life is finally behind him.It took some time for him to make it happen, but he went back home and promised he’d return.He managed to make it in time to see Sophia enter this world.
He had already started an exit plan when I ran away.He said it put so many things into perspective for him.He finally saw that locking me away from the world, even for my own safety, was making him lose me either way.After that, he finally set me free.
“I’m just happy you’re here, Dad.”I smile up at him, loving how much our relationship has changed.He’s not my father anymore; he's my dad.
“I’m happy I picked right when I sent Mack to find you.”He smirks.I still can’t believe my dad actually smirks now.
“What does that mean?”I gasp.
“You think if I knew where you were, I’d hire some random person to go get you and not just do it myself?”
Part of me wondered how it all happened, and it’s why I freaked out when I thought he knew where I was.He could have shown up any second, but he asked Mack to come get me.
“But how…” I trail off.
“He’s one of the good ones.Those detectives are the best, and I knew he’d fall for you.I wasn’t sure how you’d take to him, but I guess I knew my daughter back then even more than you thought possible.”I melt into his side, taking his arm.
“Come on before my husband gets inpatient.I’m sure Becky is waiting on you too.”I wink at my dad.
“What does that mean?”
“You think I don’t see how the two of you stare at each other?”Dad met Becky through Mack’s mom Jisa.Those ladies have been friends for years.“Make a move, Dad.You should be happy too.I want you to be happy.”I know he doesn’t need my blessing, but I want him to know I’m okay with it.
Dad kisses me on the cheek before opening the front door of the cabin so we can walk outside.Everyone’s seated by the lake, and it turned out to be a beautiful day.“Let me see my princess get married first.”
I thought it would only be fitting to renew our vows here.I love everything about this cabin, and it’s a place the whole family can call home whenever we need to.Yes, some bad things happened, but the good outweighs the bad.This cabin is where I fell in love, and so it will always be a part of our story.Not only because it’s the place where we began our family.
Family.
That one word fills my whole body with warmth.I knew I had one when Mack demanded we get married.I love how he can be so laid-back one second and serious the next, but that side of him peeks out when it comes to the people he loves.