“I’m never okay without my business partner.”
“I’ll stop by soon. Hang in there.” He ended the call as he pulled into the preschool parking lot.
After checking in at the front desk, he watched Sammy through the window of the four-year-olds’ classroom. She was playing with two other children. He couldn’t help but smile. She was having so much fun. He wished her life would always be that carefree and easy.
When he opened the classroom door, a petite blonde whizzed by him, head down. “Excuse me,” she mumbled.
Dakota glanced over his shoulder, but she hurried around the corner so fast, he missed her.Must be Sammy’s new teacher.
The teacher’s assistant said hello while she attended to another child. “Hey, Leticia,” Dakota said.
“Daddy!” Sammy ran over and he scooped her into his arms. She was his entire world and the best part of his life.
“How’s my punkin?”
She placed her little hands on his cheeks. “Do you want to meet my new teacher?”
“Sure.”
He set her down and she beelined for the assistant. “Miss El, where’s Miss Liz?”
“She ran to the front office, real quick,” Leticia replied.
“I want her to meet my daddy.”
Beep.Beep. “Hello, Miss Leticia,” said a voice over the classroom intercom.
“I’m here.”
“Miss Liz stepped out for a minute. Can you manage alone for a few?”
“No problem,” Leticia replied.
“I’m sorry, honey,” Dakota said. “I’ll have to meet your teacher another day.” He fully expected her to have a meltdown.
“Is Provi home?” Sammy asked.
“She sure is.”
Sammy pulled her lunchbox from her cubby, along with her spring jacket, and a piece of construction paper. Then, she said goodbye to Leticia and hurried back to Dakota. “I’m ready.”
He helped her into her coat, collected her things, and stopped at the front to check out. Crossing the parking lot, he asked about her day.
“Miss Liz said she could bring me home, but I told her only Daddy and Mrs. Morris. Can Provi drive me home?”
Dakota stopped. “Miss Liz said she could drive you home?”
“Uh-huh.”
Dakota headed back inside. “Daddy, where are we going?” Sammy whined. “I want to go home.”
“One minute, sweetheart.” He returned to check-in. “Is the director here?”
“She’s in a meeting.”
“Tell her I need to speak with her, now.”
The young woman stared at him. “Well, I can’t…can she call—”
