“That’s a pretty shade on you, Uncle Patrick,” Tinley pointed at my mouth.
“Sweet T, it’s not polite to point.” Josh chuckled. “But she’s right. Pink is your color.”
I wiped the lip gloss off my lips.
“You look very pretty, Daddy.”
Everyone laughed. “Keep it up, little sneak.” I hugged Kylie.
Tinley gasped and screamed. We all went on high alert. Kylie and I grabbed for our guns even though neither of us was carrying. We were off duty tonight.
“Tinley, baby, what’s wrong?” Josh asked.
Tinley didn’t speak for a few seconds. I scanned; the hallway was clear.
“You,” she aimed a finger at Kylie, “called him,” she gestured toward me, “Daddy.”
“I–um–” Kylie stammered.
“That’s amazing!” Tinley jumped up and down and then jumped over toward Kylie and hugged her. Then she hugged me. Then she took off down the hall.
“Tinley, stop running!” called Josh. She ignored him and laid her finger on the scanner near the door. Typically, Tinley wouldn’t barge into rooms. She was in the system for her safety, but she was a polite little girl.
“Rayna.” She screamed into the room as if she were calling out fire in a building. “Patrick is a daddy.”
Two seconds later, Rayna stepped into the hallway. I half expected her to grab the door and close it so we couldn’t get in. Kyler appeared next to her.
“Look.” Tinley pointed. “Kylie is his little girl. Isn’t that incredible!” She grabbed Rayna’s hand and stared into her eyes. “She’s our very own little bodyguard forever.” Some nonverbal conversation passed between Rayna and Tinley. They both turned to Kylie and smiled the widest, toothiest grins. Their smiles were identical—wide, bright, and unnervingly enthusiastic.
They waved us forward. Kylie gripped my hand harder.
“What have I just agreed to?” Kylie whispered.
“No backing out now.” I chuckled, but held her tight.
“Hi, Mr. Grant. Mr. Burroughs.” She gave them each a crooked smile. “Is it okay for me to speak to Rayna and Tinley for a minute?”
The smiles feel. Both girls looked worried.
CHAPTER 30
KYLIE
“It is okay with me if it’s okay with them,” Josh answered. Kyler nodded. “Rayna, why don’t you take the girls to your playroom?”
I knew the playroom was monitored, which was why he suggested it. I didn’t blame him. He wouldn’t want to give us complete privacy with something that might upset the girls. To be fair, there wasn’t anything I needed to say that couldn’t or shouldn’t be said in front of their daddies. It just made it a lot easier without their stern daddyness sucking up all the oxygen in the room.
“Okay.” Rayna took Tinley’s hand. “Come on!”
“Oh, can we bring the snacks?” Tinley picked up a cracker and nibbled on it.
“I’ll bring it.” Patrick followed, carrying the platter of food. Tinley made a beeline for a white, fluffy chair that she dragged near the small sitting area in the corner. The table and chairs were painted white as well.
Patrick set the food on the table and pulled out the two other chairs for Rayna and me. He squeezed my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. Rayna averted her eyes.
“You ladies need anything, let me know.”
“Thank you, Uncle Patrick.” Tinley waved. He waved back, and she smiled and then concentrated on finishing her cracker. I was hesitant to speak, fearing I might pull her out of her little space against her will. I admired how comfortable she was in that headspace. Josh must be a great daddy to create an environment where she feels comfortable being little all the time.
