Page 18 of Claimed

“She’s here,” Gage replies.

“I’ll go,” Chris says. “Call me if you get out today. If not, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Okay. Thanks for coming.”

He kisses my forehead and leaves, giving Gage a wide berth. Gage approaches me with a raised brow. I think he’s going to give me shit about Chris, but he doesn’t.

“You ready?”

“Yeah,” I answer. “I am.”

“I’ll go get ‘em.”

I chew on my thumbnail nervously as I wait for him to return. Will she like me? Will this be the only time I get to see her? Laurelyn is one thing, but this is different. Dani is an innocent bystander in all this. I don’t think I could handle having one more person ripped from my life.

He comes back in, holding a little girl’s hand. No, not just any little girl – my sister. She’s a miniature of Laurelyn, down to the way she’s dressed, like a proper young lady. She stares at me, wide-eyed, clutching tightly to a teddy bear. When they reach the side of the bed, Gage picks her up so she’s at eye level.

“Hi,” I choke out as tears gather in my eyes.

“Hi. Are you my big sister?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Mommy told me you were in an accident,” she says as she extends the teddy bear to me. “I brought this for you. His name is Teddy. He’s my favorite and always makes me feel better.”

I take the bear from her and hug it to my chest. “Thank you. I feel better already.”

“You’re welcome. May I give you a hug?”

Proper young lady. Whatever they’re teaching this little girl, she’s obviously learning.

“I’d like that.”

Gage places her on the bed carefully, and her gaze sweeps over me in an obvious attempt to see how she can hug me without hurting me. Finally, she wraps her little arms around my neck. I return her hug with my good arm, breathing in her scent.

“I’ve always wanted a big sister.”

“And I’ve always wanted a little sister. I’m glad it’s you.”

She pulls back from our embrace and gives me a hopeful stare. “Will you come and live with us?”

I glance at Gage, unsure what to say. I don’t want to hurt her feelings within the first five minutes of meeting her.

“I live here, sweetheart...but you can visit me anytime you like.”

Apparently content with my answer, she starts chattering away, telling me about her school, teachers, friends...everything about her little six-year-old world. I smile and nod, interjecting whenever I can. She’s so cute with her little toothless grin. Gage and I both laugh when she starts talking about a boy in her class who wants to be her boyfriend, but ‘he’s too immature’.

She leans forward, cupping her hand to hide her lips from Gage, and whispers, “Is Mr. Gage your boyfriend?”

“Yes, he is.”

“I like him,” she says with a wink. “He’s cute.” She sits upright, giggling as she casts shy glances his way.

Even six-year-old girls fall prey to the man. Unbelievable.

The door opens and Laurelyn sticks her head inside. “May we come in?”

“Mommy!” Dani squeals. “Raven says I can visit anytime I want.”