The Hero I Need

God, if only it were that simple.

My heart sinks at the worry in his voice. Even when he’s halfway around the world, I can’t hide anything. It’s always been this way.

“How concerned do I need to be right now?” he asks slowly. “What sort of trouble are you in? Do I need to transfer more money to your account?”

“No! God, no, don’t do that. Don’t transfer any money, Dad!”

And here comes the freak-out. Too late for me to slap my hand across my lips.

“Willow, baby, what the hell is going on?”

I sink down to the floor in a heap, wishing I could tell him everything.

“Look, Dad, I’m fine, but...I just can’t tell you anything else right now, okay? For so many reasons, but please—whatever you do—please don’t contact Exotic Plains again. I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can. I promise.”

He’s silent, digesting the news, and I squeeze my eyes shut, afraid of what’s next.

“Okay,” he grinds out slowly. “I’m going to trust you on this, Willow. Not only because I don’t have another option when I’m in the bush, but because I know you. I know you’re doing your best to take care of it. I must say...I feel responsible for not checking out Exotic Plains before letting you accept that job. Damn, I wish I’d flown home then, and—”

“No, no, you shouldn’t have. It wouldn’t have changed anything. Please don’t worry about me. I have friends, good friends, helping me with this. It’s all going to be fine.”

“Friends from the rescue?”

I hesitate. “No. Not quite but...they’re amazing people.”

There’s another long pause before he clears his throat.

“Well. Don’t keep me in the dark too long. You know how to get ahold of me. It might take a day or two, but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. And you know I’ll come to the States before India anytime. Just say the word.”

“You don’t have to do that, either,” I say, sniffing back tears. “I’ll definitely be in touch. You’ll hear everything soon. Take care of yourself.” Even though he’s been an incredible dad my entire life, I’m extremely thankful he’s so understanding right now. “I love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too, peewee. You’re my world.”

I smile because he’s always told me that.

“Bye, Dad.”

“Bye, sweetie. Talk soon.”

I click off and dip my head back, wondering all over again what the hell I’m really going to do. And if there’ll be some forgiveness when I can, you know, actually not fucking lie to my awesome father.

The side door sliding open has me leaping to my feet.

“Hey,” Grady says, watching me as I grab the side of the wall. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I hold up my phone. “Just got the call I knew was coming.”

Frowning, he asks, “From who?”

“My father.”

We lock eyes. In those quiet moments after the best loving of my life, lying together in bed, I’ve told him a lot, including who my father is and why he’s in Africa.

“Exotic Plains sent him a message saying I was missing.”

His eyes widen into mocha pools, anger rippling through them.

“And?” he asks.

I shove the phone in my pocket. “And he’s doing fine. I’m doing fine. All’s good. Dad doesn’t know about the FBI probe or the Fosses trying to set us up. And I’m hoping we can keep it that way while he’s still off the grid. What are you doing?”

“Hank just got here to pick up the girls for the rodeo tonight. They want him to see Bruce before they leave.” He glances at the pen, where Bruce is still pacing around. “Is that all right?”

I haven’t seen Hank since the night he helped with the barn door, but I know the girls text him constantly.

“Yeah, they’ll just need to stand back. Even though it’s safe enough with the metal fencing you put up, he’s awfully restless today. I think he knows I’ve found him a new home and he’s getting worried.”

“He’s not the only one right to fret over that,” Grady says with a snort.

He knows how worried I am about it, too.

“Go ahead. Let them in.”

He looks at me for a still moment, quickening my heart rate.

I have to glance away. Otherwise, I might walk closer and hold my face up to his, expecting a kiss.

For shame. I can only do that in private, and it’s getting harder all the time to remember it.

“Come on in,” Grady says.

I walk to the enclosed pen, putting myself between Bruce and the door behind me. This will only be the second time since Grady installed the chain-link that we’ve let the kids in the barn on the main level—with very clear instructions to stay at least eight feet back from the enclosed pen at all times.

So far, they’ve behaved like little angels.

A moment later, Hank follows Sawyer and Avery inside. He’s got a tall black cowboy hat on today, the remnants of a cigar hanging from his mouth, and gives me a quick nod before his gaze lands on Bruce. He takes an instinctive step back the second the massive tiger looks up.