Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I’m talking about you, Little girl. My house hasn’t been a home. I needed to find my Little,” he said with a smile and a squeeze to her hand.
“Oh.” Swallowing hard, she forced herself to ask, “Are you sure you’re my Daddy?”
“I’m sure. I bet you’ve worried today. It’s hard to meet someone new and know they’re important.”
“Scary important,” she echoed, nodding.
“Then it’s up to me to reassure you. First up, dinner. A Little girl with an empty stomach needs to eat. Do you need to wash your hands and potty?”
When she nodded, he gestured down the hall. “First door on your right.”
Jordi darted down the hall, needing to go badly now that he’d mentioned it. Don’t wet your pants! Don’t wet your pants! She made it to the restroom and after a frantic struggle with her pants, she collapsed to the seat.
When she returned, he had pulled something from the oven, making it smell even better. “What is that?”
“Come sit down and find out,” Callen urged, guiding her with an arm around her waist toward the table. He pulled out a chair for her and helped Jordi sit. Without any fuss to make her feel self-conscious, her Daddy drew a bib over her head before brushing her hair from her face and dropping a kiss on her lips.
“Have a drink. I bet you’re thirsty.”
As he returned to the kitchen, she eagerly picked up the cute sippy cup and lifted it to her mouth, expecting to taste juice. To her delight, yummy chocolate milk filled her mouth and she wiggled happily in her seat. Yum!
“Taste good?” he asked.
“It’s so good.”
“I hope you like this as well,” he said, carrying over a large casserole filled with chicken and noodles.
Jordi leaned in to inhale deeply before asking, “Did you make that?”
“I did. One of my grandmother’s favorite recipes. I only make it for very important people. I hope you like it.”
Callen put a healthy portion on her plate and set it in front of her. “It’s hot. Let it cool for a minute.”
When she picked up her fork to dive in immediately, he pressed her hand back to the table. “Wait. You’ll burn your mouth. Let’s sing a song and when we’re done, I bet the noodles will be the perfect temperature.”
He sang one of the songs they’d enjoyed last night. Her Daddy didn’t force her to sing, he invited her to join him with his obvious happiness to share the music with her. She whispered the next stanza along with him as she watched him place a giant portion on his plate before reaching for her glass and refilling it from an insulated pitcher next to him. Her voice gained confidence with every passing second as the beautiful sound filled the large open space.
When the last note died out, Callen lifted her hand still clutching the fork and kissed her knuckles. “See if it’s okay now. A small bite.”
Jordi stabbed one noodle and lifted it to her mouth. She pressed it against her lip to check the temperature and then devoured it. “It’s so good!” she mumbled around the treat.
“Careful, don’t talk with your mouth full. I’m glad you like it.”
The conversation at the table was quiet for a few minutes as he let her fill her belly. When she slowed down, he spooned another portion on the far side of her plate to cool down and requested, “Tell me about that support. What did you like? What didn’t you like?”
Distracted by their conversation, Jordi ate until she couldn’t eat another bite. Setting her fork down with a click on her plate, she leaned back in her chair. “That was the best thing I’ve had in—forever!”
“Hooray! I’m so glad. Would you like any more?”
“No way. I’m going to pop,” she said, poking her tummy.
“We don’t want that. Would you like to watch a movie while I get everything cleaned up?”
“What time is it? I don’t want to drive home too late,” Jordi said, looking around for a clock.
“It’s seven-thirty. What would you think of getting in my hot tub in a bit? I could throw your clothes into the wash and you could still spend the night with Daddy.”
“You have a hot tub?” she asked, sitting up straight before slumping with disappointment. “Oh, I don’t have a bathing suit.”
“No problem. You could wear one of my T-shirts if you want.”
“That might work,” Jordi said, perking up once again. “But Norwood is home all by himself.”
“We’ll go get him tomorrow and bring him back to join us.”
After hesitating for a minute, she sent a mental message to her stuffie. I’m okay. I’ll make sure to bring you with me tomorrow.
“I’m going to be here tomorrow?” she asked as she realized what she’d thought.
“I hope you’ll stay with me often and soon always. I want to spend time with you, Little girl.”