Daddy Undercover (Crescent Cove 9)

“It wasn’t because I was using her. I just didn’t know how to handle it. The woman who left the—no, my—daughter on my porch threw me for a loop. Bee is the first person I called because she’s the most capable woman I know.”

Bonnie stared at me unblinkingly. “Acceptable. Men take longer to deal with the idea of change. And there’s much change in your life, Sheriff. Just be careful with my daughter. She may act like she’s tough, but she’s very soft.”

“Strongest woman I know.”

She stood. “Even the strongest women can be hurt needlessly. Remember that. She’s more than just a stand-in mother.”

“She’s not a stand-in anything. She’s more Sami’s mother than anyone could be. And if I had my way, she would have been. And maybe will be in the future.”

Bonnie looked at the floor, sniffing lightly. Her eyes were ringed in red, but no tears fell. “You’ll do, Jared. Just remember she’s more than just a mother. She’s a woman and deserves to be recognized for that side of her regardless of the future you have.”

I frowned. What did that mean? “Of course.” I stood and followed her to the door. “I’m not just playing house with your daughter, Bonnie. I’m betting on forever.”

“Good.” She patted my chest and straightened my badge. “You’re a good man.”

“I try.”

“Don’t ruin everything I’ve organized while I’m gone, or I’ll break your pinkies.”

I blinked. “Right. Christian and the temp we brought in have your instructions, correct?”

She nodded curtly. “Doesn’t mean they’ve read them.” She fixed the strap of her body bag-sized purse in a wild rainbow zebra print and shoved it behind her. I didn’t know what was in there, but it scared me a little. Pretty much just like Bonnie did.

“I’ll make sure they do.”

The front door of the station banged open. Instinctively, I put Bonnie behind me.

Bee came through the door, her topknot crooked and drooping over her ear, her eyes wide. “Dios, thank goodness you’re here.”

Panicked, I strode to her, adrenaline already coursing through me. “Is everything all right? Sami?”

Bee shook her head before she smiled. Her face was full of pure joy. “No, no, she’s fine.” She squeezed my arm. “She’s with Luna and Kinleigh.” She turned to her mother. “It’s time. Erica just called me.”

“You? Not her own mother?”

Then it was a flurry of Spanish and chaos as the women had a conversation I couldn’t follow. The high school Spanish class I’d taken didn’t compute against the bastardized version they spoke.

“Bah!” Bonnie bustled toward the front door. “I’ll drive.” She pulled out her huge key ring.

I beat her to the door and plucked it out of her hands. “Oh, no. That’s not happening. I can’t have you driving in the emotional state you both are in. I’ll drive.”

I shot a look over my shoulder.

Christian waved me off. “Go, it’s been a slow—”

I cut him off. “Don’t you say that word. Are you nuts?”

Christian reddened. “Right. Anyway. I can handle it.”

Right away, I knew that it was going to be the longest day in the history of days. But it was easier to usher the girls out the door and hustle them toward the squad car. Since I didn’t have a partner for when I was on patrol, the front of the car was full of my scanners and gear. I opened the back door for them.

Bonnie stopped. “I’ve never been in the back of your squad car.”

That was weird. “Mine?”

“Well, I’ve been in one before.” She got in and slid over. “Mija, let’s go.”

Bee gave me a wide-eyed look then quickly got inside.