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“Wow,” I breathed.
He grinned. “I want her to see what true love is.”
Oh lord. There goes my heart again.
“Daddy! Paxton!” Chloe said as she ran up to us. Instead of hugging just Steed, her little arms wrapped around both of us. We dropped to her level at the same time. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how happy she looked, a grin spread wide across her face.
“I had the best day with Aunt Meli and then Uncle Mitchell picked me up and took me for ice cream! But it wasn’t at the store!”
Steed pulled his head back with a surprised expression. “It wasn’t? Where was it?” he asked as he glanced up to Mitchell.
“It was this farm house. Daddy! They made the ice cream and asked me what kind I wanted and if I wanted anything in it!”
“What did you get?” I asked.
Chloe smiled. “Chocolate with strawberries cause that’s your favorite, Paxton. And I want to be just like you and grow up to marry a cowboy like my daddy!”
I was overcome with emotion, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to cry.
Taking her hands in mine, I replied, “I love that plan, Chloe. So very much.”
Steed pulled her to him, making her squeal in delight. “Let me help your uncles, then I have a surprise for my two favorite girls. But no more talk of you growing up.”
Chloe kissed him on the cheek, then reached for my hand. My heart fluttered, and I had to put my other hand over my stomach to calm the butterflies. This sweet little girl held a piece of my heart so strongly I was almost brought to tears.
I knew Chloe had never had a real mother figure in her life, and I was going to do everything in my power to be there for her, always.
“Did you and Daddy have fun on your day together?” Chloe asked.
Gazing down at her big blue eyes, I smiled. “We did. Your daddy is very romantic.”
She nodded. “He likes sunsets and always says they remind him of his special spot on the ranch. Is this his special spot? Is that why he brought you here?”
My eyes swept over to where Steed was helping Mitchell and Trevor put Allure into the trailer. I felt breathless watching him. “Yes, Chloe Cat. Your daddy used to bring me here all the time. It was kind of our spot.”
When I glanced back down at her, she had a dreamy expression on her face. “I hope I can marry a boy someday who is like my daddy.”
Dropping down to meet her eye to eye, I pulled her in for a hug. “Me too, baby girl.”
When she leaned back, her little eyes looked deep into mine. “I love you, Paxton.”
I almost fell on my ass. Her words hit me square in the chest and dug themselves deep within my heart, and I was positive they would stay buried deeply forever. Lifting my hand to the side of her sweet little face, I let out a shaky breath. “Oh, Chloe. I love you too.”
Her little arms wrapped around my neck and she whispered, “I pray each night you’ll be my mommy. I hope God hears me.”
Closing my eyes, I struggled to keep the tears back. “I pray for the same thing, Chloe.”
“Does he hear us?”
I’d never in my life experienced this feeling before. A love so pure and real it would forever own my heart. “I know he hears us.”
When she pulled back, I opened my eyes to see Steed standing behind Chloe. The way he stared at me made my chest squeeze, and my heart take a dive straight to my stomach. I prayed I hadn’t said anything I shouldn’t have, but I wanted to be honest with Chloe. Dropping to his knees, Steed wrapped us both in his arms and slid his hand behind my neck. Pulling me closer, he kissed my lips.
“I love you both.”
Chloe giggled. “Kiss me, Daddy! Kiss me!”
Jumping up, Steed picked up Chloe and kissed her with a quick peck on the mouth then kissed her cheek.
“Give me some of that loving!” Mitchell said as he took Chloe and started flying her around like a plane. She laughed and cried out as Mitchell traded her off to Trevor.
I smiled as I watched three of the Parker brothers totally get lost in the love of one little girl. And oh how easy it was to get lost in Chloe’s love.
Chloe and I snuggled up to Steed as we watched Brother Bear. The temperature had dropped some so we had two quilts pulled over us. I was munching on popcorn and so was Steed.
When Chloe found out she was part of Steed’s special day with me I thought she was going to burst from happiness. She got to pick out the movies, and so far we had watched Frozen, to which Steed knew the words to every song. I wasn’t sure if I was impressed or turned on. No. I knew I was for sure turned on.
