Providence laughed. “Not today. I need to learn how, first. And the best way to start is by watching someone else. This sounds fun, doesn’t it?”
“Super fun!”
During the hour-long trip to Summit Point, Sammy conked out. Providence started talking shop, but Dakota wrapped his hand around her thigh and gave her a little squeeze. “We get one day off. Just one. Talk to me about your childhood or about some of the cases you worked. Tell me about you, baby.”
She leaned over, kissed his whiskered cheek. “I love that you care about me.” She told him a funny story from childhood that involved Stryker, and the police coming to their house. Dakota laughed at the mayhem Stryker caused. Then, she confided about the last case she worked with the Bureau, finishing with, “I love sharing my career with you.”
“I love sharing mine with you,” he replied.
When they arrived, Dakota pulled headphones from the back seat. Before entering the park, he covered Sammy’s ears. From the stands, they watched a few races, grabbed lunch, and inquired about driving lessons.
As far as Dakota was concerned, their day had been a rousing success. What he hadn’t told Providence was that Marcus had been trailing them the entire afternoon. Dakota might be taking a break from reality, but he wasn’t living in a fantasy land.
That evening, after dinner, Sammy asked if they could watch a movie together.
“Great idea,” Dakota said. “Providence, movie night?”
Providence retrieved a gift bag from the front closet, and sat on the family room sofa beside Dakota. “I think Sammy might want to see what I bought herbeforewe pick a movie.”
Sammy had been busy lining up her race cars. When she spotted the brightly colored bag, her eyes lit up. “You bought me a present?”
“Crazy, huh, because you guys bought me a present,” Providence replied.
Sammy climbed onto the sofa and Providence set the bag between them.
With a smile, Sammy lifted out the tissue paper and pulled out a movie. “I know this movie! It’sFinding Nemo!” Then, she pulled out another movie. “Toy Story! Hurray!”
Next cameRatatouilleand Sammy stared at the cover. “What’s this word?”
Providence held her finger over the title and sounded it out for her, then read her the back jacket.
Sammy giggled. “This one’s funny.”
Dakota watched the two of them interact. Providence was so attentive toward his daughter and Sammy hung on her every word. He would never have been able to get Sammy to eat her oatmeal. And this morning, the transition to karate class was seamless because of Providence.
Would Providence make a good mother for his daughter? Would she be a strong female role model, helping to teach his child about life? And was she the right life partner for him? His gut said yes.
Sammy extractedMoana. “I don’t know this movie. Can you read it to me?”
First, she helped Sammy read it. Then, she read it to her. And finally, Sammy pulled outMulan.
“I love all these movies!” Sammy exclaimed. “What can we watch tonight?”
“What do you say to Providence, Samantha?” Dakota asked.
Sammy hugged her. “Thank you for my presents.” After much deliberation, Sammy selected Providence’s favorite.Mulan.
Then, Sammy’s expression fell. “Daddy didn’t get a present.”
Dakota pulled her onto his lap and tickled her. “My present was spending the day with you two. That makes me very happy.”
That evening, they sat on the sofa, Sammy between them. And whenMulanended, a very tired Sammy asked Providence if she would come upstairs with Dakota and tuck her into bed.
Somehow, Dakota had managed to eke out one perfect day. But he knew the universe had a way of balancing things out, and he expected a full-blown shit storm was headed his way.
* * *
After tucking Sammy into bed, Dakota asked, “How ‘bout a nightcap?”
