Daddy's Angel (Montana Daddies 7)

She was pretty sure she wouldn’t.

“I find it hard to let other people close to me. I was never able to make friends. I was always that weird, quiet Silvers girl. Now, I never know whether someone is being nice to me because they like me or they want me to do something for them.”

“People have done that? Gotten close to you to use you?”

She smiled sadly. “Yeah. More often than I care to admit. That’s why it’s so surprising how at ease I feel with you. I think part of it is because you’re so honest. Sometimes perhaps a bit too honest. But I know you’ll always tell me the truth. And you’ve opened up to me as well. About your ex-wife. Your life.”

“I don’t like secrets. Arianna, you’re safe with me. Your safety, happiness and protection is the most important thing to me.”

“I know.” She licked her lips and took a steadying breath. She knew he wouldn’t make fun of her. She just had to lower that final barrier and let him in. Let him be everything she needed.

“Can I have my juice in a sippy cup, Daddy?” A weight truly lifted, and she found herself smiling. It felt so right.

“You sure can, baby girl. Here’s your juice. Daddy wants you to drink it all, okay?”

She held her new doll close to her chest, feeling nervous. She reached out for the cup.

“What do you say?” he asked.

“Umm.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Oh. Thank you, Daddy.” Kind of ironic that he was teaching her about manners when he pretty much had none. But the smile he gave her was everything.

“Good girl. What’s your dolly’s name?” He lay on his side.

She tipped back the sippy cup and drank before putting it down. “I don’t know.” She peered at the doll. It was soft bodied with dark brown hair and light brown eyes.

“She looks like a Melly. I’m going to name her Melly.”

“Sounds good, baby. I’m going to put some food on your plate, and I want you to eat it all, understand?”

She frowned. She wasn’t sure about that. She watched as he put two sandwich triangles on her plate along with a bunch of grapes. He picked up some cheese and crackers, just putting a few out.

“That’s a lot of food, Daddy. I don’t know if I can eat it all.”

“Give it a good go.”

There was a strict note in his voice that had her nodding her head in agreement. She could try, she guessed.

He filled up his own plate, which overflowed by the time he was finished.

“Daddy, are you sure you should eat all that? You’ll get a sore tummy.”

He raised his eyebrows. “I need all this food to fuel my muscles. Got to be able to carry my baby girl around. Even though she protests when I pick her up and put her places.”

She had to grin. “Daddy, I gots a secret. Wanna hear it?”

His eyes danced with enjoyment. He really did like this. He looked more at ease than she’d ever seen him.

“What is it? Little girls shouldn’t keep secrets from their daddies, you know.”

She leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I actually like you picking me up and carrying me places.”

His eyes widened and he let out a dramatic gasp. “No!”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Uh-huh. It’s true. No lies.”