When he pulled into his garage, she told him she was heading straight to the club. “I’ve gotta work tonight.”
“No worries. We’ve got this.”
She appreciated his nerves of steel and his unwavering confidence. She felt like the walls were closing in, and it was just a matter of time before he—orthey—got arrested.
22
One Perfect Day
Saturday morning, Dakota woke determined to have a normal day with his family. Not a family in the conventional sense. Hell, he hadn’t even told Providence he loved her.
But all that was about to change.
Two dozen long-stemmed red roses waited in a crystal vase in the center of the kitchen table, breakfast was cooking, and he’d stashed the gift in a drawer. All he needed were his two girls so they could start their day.
Sammy plodded in first. He’d asked for her help putting together his surprise for Providence. Typically, his young daughter was the recipient of gifts, and he looked forward to seeing how she’d fair as the giver.
It took his little chatterbox some time before her energy kicked in, so he appreciated the silence as she climbed into her booster seat.
Dakota sat beside her and tucked her mussed hair behind her ear. “Sleep okay?”
“Uh-huh.” She rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Are we giving Provi her present today?”
Dakota smiled.That’s a good sign.“I think we should,” he whispered. “What do you think?”
“Yes, right away.”
He filled her sippy cup with juice, then added water to cut the sugar. As she sipped away, he dropped blueberries into the oatmeal.
A few moments later, Providence walked into the kitchen looking just as sleepy. When she’d gotten home from the club, she’d gone straight to her bedroom. He assumed it was because she didn’t want to slink out a few hours later, but he missed having her by his side.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Good morning, you two,” Providence replied.
Sammy giggled when Providence beelined to the coffee pot without noticing the flowers.
As she poured herself a cup, Dakota put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “How was work?”
“Fine,” she replied, then sipped the drink. “I met Mavis. She’s a hoot. I think she’s got more energy than Sammy.”
“Provi, come sit with me.”
“Be right there, cutie pie.”
Before walking over, Providence said, “Stryker only needs me at the club once a week for another week or two.”
“That’s good,” Dakota replied.
As she sat next to Sammy, she smiled at the child. “Hello, adorable one. What’s going on with you?”
“We got you a present!” Sammy pointed to the flowers. “Look!”
“Oh, my! Those are beautiful,” Providence said. “Those are for me?”
“Daddy wrote you a card. Open it.”
Providence plucked out the small envelope and slid out the card.
