Page 226 of Broken Daddy

He was such a worrywart.

Taking her hand, he led her outside. Something tickled her nose as they grew closer to the party and she sneezed.

Hayes froze. “What was that?”

“Um, a sneeze?”

“You’re getting ill, we’re going home.” He suddenly picked her up, cradling her against his chest as he strode back to their cabin.

“Hayes! I’m not getting sick!”

“You sneezed.”

“Because something tickled my nose! Not because I’m sick.”

“How do you know?” he demanded.

“I don’t feel sick. I would have a sore throat or headache or something. I feel fine. I am fine. Now, put me down.”

He froze, then let out a deep breath. “Fine. But if you sneeze again or don’t feel well, tell me and we’re going home.”

Sheesh.

He took her hand again, keeping her close to him. As they grew closer to the party, she could hear children laughing and people talking. A baby cried.

What was she doing?

She didn’t know these people. What if they didn’t like her? What if they thought she wasn’t good enough for Hayes?

She stilled and Hayes stopped with her. He was holding her good hand. She loved holding his hand, although she thought that part of the reason he kept a tight hold on her was because he was worried she might fall over.

Probably a valid concern considering she’d already tripped once with him holding onto her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t . . . I don’t know if I can do this.”

Which was crazy because she’d been the one to push for it. She’d wanted it. And Hayes had been cautious, not wanting her to be overwhelmed.

And now . . .

“Hey, look at me.” He turned to face her, cupping her chin and forcing her to look up at him. His face was surprisingly soft. “You have this, baby. Everyone will love you. I know they’re a lot, but they’re all good people.”

“And if they don’t love me?”

“I’ll make them.”

“Hayes! We talked about this! You can’t make people like me!”

He wrapped an arm around her and steered her to the party. “Sure I can.”

She couldn’t help but grin. He was such a lunatic.

But he was her lunatic.

And she wasn’t ever letting him go.

Devi’s head was spinning.