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I cried, finally able to let go of my fear and guilt. Guilt at disobeying and worrying him. Guilt at my stupidity and impatience. Noah held me tight, rocking me in his arms.
“You’re okay now, sweetheart. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Is she okay?”
Gabriel—I recognized his voice. I peeped up from Daddy’s shirt to see the concerned look in his best friend’s eyes.
“Colin, find the key for the handcuffs,” he yelled down the hallway.
A moment later, a very handsome but serious-looking man joined us and handed a key to Gabriel. He undid my cuffs, throwing them and the wooden rail to the floor. With my hands free, I could wrap my arms around Noah’s neck, and I did, clinging to him like a drowning woman would a life raft. He was that and so much more.
The minutes passed in silence while Noah held me, and I wondered if he was ever going to put me down.
“Shelby, I learned something today.”
I pulled back so I could see into his face.
“What, Daddy? What did you learn?”
“That I love you, sweet girl, with all my heart.”
“You do?” My heart soared. This was what I wanted more than anything—for him to love me, Shelby, exactly the way I was.
“I do. Let’s go home and I’ll show you just how much.”
“Really?”
“Are you questioning me already?”
Daddy stalked down the hallway, yelling back that he was taking me home. He placed me gently in the passenger seat and locked the belt.
He loves me. My heart sang all the way back to his place.
