Page 35 of Mountain Daddy

My eyes move back to Kendra.

I want to stay.

I need to pee.

I want to come back to bed after.

Want to go back to sleep and wake up together.

Ask her to breakfast.

But it would only prolong this niggling depressive feeling.

Kendra allowed me to stay the night, and that’s what I’ve done.

I won’t ask for more.

I gently press a kiss to her forehead, then slide out of bed.

She stirs, adjusting the blankets around her.

I force myself to turn away.

“Bye, Daddy.”

Kendra’s whispered words halt me.

But when I look back, her eyes are already closing, and she’s hugging the pillow I’d been using.

“Bye, Kendra Doll.”

Chapter 15

Kendra

GPS saysI’m only five minutes away.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been out here, since Dad’s been the one traveling to see me for most of the last decade, but I still recognize it. And I don’t feel as bummed as I expected to feel.

I’m still not thrilled about moving in with my parent after being on my own since I was eighteen.

And it’s a little extra nerve-racking since I’ve never lived with my dad before. But he’s chill. So I have to believe he’s not going to be hard to live with.

Air flows in through my open window, and I let the scent of the forest surround me.

It’s a beautiful day.

The sun is out.

The high elevation means it’s not too hot.

And the scenery is stunning.

So no, I’m not bummed about moving here.

I’m not bummed.

I’m just a little sad. For a reason I didn’t plan for.