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"A kiss carries powerful wishes, right, Dad?"
"Yeah, sweetheart," I nod, my heart swelling with love for my caring, tender-hearted daughter. "Just like I always tell you."
Lucy makes her way upstairs to her room, leaving me alone with Sophie. I'm a cop, a single dad. I've chased down hardened criminals, found missing persons, and even got shot at. But I've never been this scared.
It's as though our paths were destined to cross, as if she is the woman I've been waiting for.
But it can't be. We moved to Willow Creek for a simpler life, one of tranquility and routine. Falling headlong into love isn’t part of the plan.
Crouching down beside the couch, I recheck Sophie's vitals. Still alive.
I take a deep, shuddering breath, my gaze drawn back to her face. She's beautiful, her lips still lush and full, a vivid contrast against her pale skin.
Tentatively, I reach out, my fingers brushing against her cheek. The moment I make contact, her eyes flash open, a jolt of surprise making her body tense under my touch.
Her gaze meets mine, wide and startled, causing my heart to skip a beat. All I can do is hold her gaze, my breath hitching in my chest as the fear I've been harboring melts into relief.
She's awake, and for now, that's all that matters.
Sophie's eyes are wild as she blinks up at me, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"What... what happened? Where am I?"
I fight back the urge to reach out, to hold her hand and reassure her that she's safe, that I'm here, and I can take care of her. But I don't. I step back, straightening my uniform, my cop's stoic façade firmly in place.
"You passed out," I tell her, my voice steady. "I brought you inside my house."
"Thank you," she murmurs, her gaze flitting around the room before settling back on me. There's an unmistakable hint of embarrassment in her eyes as she adds, "I... I didn't ruin my chance to work for you, right?"
I can't help but smile, charmed by her immediate concern.
"Is that really the first thing on your mind? You've just fainted. You shouldn't be thinking about work."
She looks down, her lashes casting long shadows on her cheeks.
"I... I really need this job," she confesses, her voice soft, almost a whisper. "I would love to take care of your child."
I want to ask why, to learn more about the enchanting woman in front of me. But instead, I stay quiet, waiting for her to finish. Her honesty tugs at something inside me, stirring a warmth I didn't expect.
"The job is yours if you want it," I tell her, my voice sincere.
Her head lifts, eyes meeting mine.
"Is your wife okay with it?"
The question catches me off guard and my heart stutters. It's been a long time since there was a wife in the picture. I stumble over my words, an uncharacteristic blush creeping onto my cheeks.
"I... I don't have a wife. It's just me and Lucy."
Sophie pushes herself into a sitting position, and I can't help but notice the curve of her body and the strength in her posture. My breath hitches when she apologizes, her lips curving into the prettiest of smiles.
She's breathtaking, and I suddenly find my heart pounding in a rhythm that echoes my growing attraction.
"When can I start?" she asks, her voice steady despite the blush creeping into her cheeks.
A slow smile spreads across my face as I meet her gaze, my heart pounding a victorious rhythm in my chest.
"Can you start today?"
