Page 60

She sighed and looked so pitiful it was all he could do not to laugh. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

He ruffled her hair. “That’s all right, bluebell. Just be careful.”

And just like that, Little Tildi was gone and adult Tildi gazed at him. “I mean it, Daddy. I’m sorry about today. I know you’ve told me about putting my safety at risk a million times. I thought you were being over-protective. Well, I mean, you are being overprotective. But now I understand why. It was so scary today. Nico could have taken me away forever. And I really, really needed to tell you I loved you one more time.”

Something inside him settled. He didn’t realize how much he needed her to understand why he was so protective. He had always thought it was enough that she just obeyed him. But this, this was so much more.

“You are my everything, Tildi. I’ve lost people before. It was hard, but I survived. Losing you would end me. I’d never get over it. Thank you for giving that to me.”

“Well, you know I might forget in the small things. But I won’t forget when it’s important. Not ever again. And I have a secret to share with you. I’ve never told anyone before.”

Okay. She had his attention. “I told you once I changed my name, but I never told you what it was. My name was Seraphina Michelle Boucher. I went by Sera. I’ve never told anyone because I didn’t trust they wouldn’t contact my family… well, the General… and tell him where I was. I’m telling you because I do trust you. Can you help me contact my sister, Breezy. Seeing her would be the best present I could ever get.”

Her willingness to trust him almost sent him to his knees. And that she told him was going to make tomorrow go a lot easier.

“Thank you for telling me, Tildi. Your trust is the greatest gift you could ever give me. I’ll work every day to be worthy of that trust.” Now for the tricky part. “I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about everything Wilder Security is capable of. We have very sophisticated equipment, and my men are some of the best in the world at what they do.”

“Okay, why would that upset me?”

“When you told me the stories of your past, I was worried that when we got home the General might be a problem for you. I needed to be able to protect you from him. I used your fingerprints to find out who you were. I didn’t look into anything personal about your past. I wanted that to come from you. Even the Wild Men don’t know your previous name. But I needed your father’s name to keep you safe.”

The color drained from her face. Her gut clenched. Had he fucked everything up? God, he couldn’t lose her. He’d have to find a way to make it right.

“Are you all right, bluebell? It’s okay if you’re angry with me. You have a right. I should have told you what I was planning. If you need time to mmph?—”

Tildi cut him off, pressing her hand over his lips. “I’m not upset with you, Daddy. Someone very wise told me that you don’t have to be perfect to be loved. That goes for Daddies, too. It was just a shock.”

Thank god he was already sitting down. Relief had him lightheaded. How was it possible for someone to become more important than life to him in a matter of weeks? She said she wasn’t upset, but he had to be sure.

“You turned white as a sheet, babygirl. I should have thought of a better way to tell you. Are you sure you can forgive me?”

‘I’m sure, Daddy. I’m sure because I already have.” She threw her arms around him and pressed kisses all over his face. “If I lost color in my face, it was because what you did was give me back my sister. Will you help me call her? I know it will be busy tomorrow. I’m just glad everyone said they could have the Friendsgiving celebration then. But after that, I want to, I mean, when you can, and if you have time, I’d love to see if Breezy even wants to see me. If you can’t, I mmph?—”

“She does want to see you, babygirl. Very much.”

Tears filled her beautiful eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “She does?”

He pulled her into his arms. “Yes, sweet girl. She wants to see you so much that I paid for her to come.”

“Oh! She’s coming? Here?” Her voice was little more than a squeak.

He couldn’t take it anymore. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he cradled her in his lap, holding her as she cried. She fit perfectly.

Nuzzling deeper into his hold, into his heart, she asked, “Do you know when she might want to visit? I’m not rushing you. I know it takes time to make plans.”

“Bluebell, Breezy is going to be here tomorrow for Friendsgiving.”

She shoved out of his arms and stared up at him, mouth opened to a perfectOthat did wicked things to his dick. “Tomorrow? She’s coming tomorrow? Tomorrow! Daddy! She can’t come tomorrow. I’m not ready. What will I say? What will I wear? She doesn’t know me anymore. She doesn’t even know I have pink hair! I…I need… I need Kenzie.”

Spinning on her sock-clad feet, she raced out the door. Her voice echoed down the hall. “Kenzie! Kenzie, you’ll never believe it. Can you dye my hair brown?”

He stared at the empty, open doorway and then broke into a run himself. At the door, he roared, “Matilda Jayne, do not change the color of your hair!” He started back into the bedroom, then turned back and added, “And don’t run in the house, little girl!”

Then he entered the bedroom and pushed the door almost closed.

The bedroom door crashed open before he’d made it five steps. Tildi hit him at a full out sprint. He had to plant a foot so they didn’t both wind up on the floor. She scaled him like he was a rock climbing wall, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

He held her in place easily, but before he could speak, she kissed him. “I love you, Boone Daniels. With all my heart as long as I live.”

She released him, dropped to the floor, and was out the door like a shot. Again.

What had just happened?

A slow grin spread across his face. Matilda Jayne Seraphina Michelle Boucher Lewis. That was what just happened.

And he was the lucky man who got to have it happen to him every day. His heart swelled because that was all he’d ever need.

The End