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Pippa
Pippa checked her phone again.
Mason: Are you up for a sleepover? I promise it’s of the adult variety. Aspen is going to stay an extra day with my dad—her idea. I have a feeling we’re being set up again. But I’m not complaining. I’m on my way. Can’t wait to see you, love.
Pippa inhaled a shaky breath and checked the time. He should be here any second.
Lady’s head rose from her paws, staring at the door. Dios mio. He’s here and I have to tell him about the baby.
Knock. Knock.
Lady stood, stretching before she turned to Pippa like she could sense the riot of anxiety churning in her gut. Pippa walked to the door, leaning her forehead against the cool metal.
I need your strength, Mama.
She twisted the knob and pulled it open. She gasped. “Sophia?”
Her sister’s face lit with excitement. “I missed you.” She squeezed her in an embrace. Lady wagged her tail excitedly before Sophia leaned down to pet her. “Hey, girl. You taking care of our Pip?”
Lady barked excitedly.
The girls giggled.
“It’s so good to see you. How come you came to visit?” Pippa asked.
Sophia smirked. “You mean besides my only sister telling me I’m going to be an aunty? Let’s just say a little birdy told me you needed a visit.” Sophia nodded towards the open doorway as a man stepped inside.
“Papi?”
Her father’s warm blue eyes locked on her, crinkling at the edges as he smiled and opened his arms for her.
He stepped inside, wrapping her up in a hug. The smell of sweet tobacco and pine wrapped her in a familiar embrace. Tears welled in her eyes. Her shoulders lightened for the first time since that doctor’s visit a week ago.
“Everything will be okay, baby girl.”
She pulled back, taking in her father’s blond hair and his weathered skin. He seemed older than his fifty-five years. A lifetime of struggling and half a decade behind bars showed on every line and dark shadow on his skin. But his blue eyes glittered with nothing but love and happiness.
Lady barked in alarm. A flash of movement had Pippa glancing behind her father before he was ripped away from her.
Mason clutched her father’s shirt, his face red with anger. Pippa’s eyes widened. “Stop! Mason, stop!”
Sophia screamed. Everything happened so fast. Mason pulled back his fist, his eyes no longer blue but black with rage.
Pippa pushed in between her father and Mason. She reached out, shoving against his chest. “Mason! Stop!”
Sophia joined her side.
Something shifted in Mason’s gaze, awareness creeping in. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her behind him. “Stay back, Pippa. I’ll protect you.”
Her brows drew together. Did Mason think her dad was an intruder?
Sophia moved next to their dad, her expression fear-stricken.
“Mason, he’s my dad. This is my father.” Pippa pulled his arm away and stepped forward again.
Mason froze, his eyes dancing between her dad and Sophia, and back to Pippa. The blood drained from his face. His voice sounded as if he’d swallowed shards of glass. “Your father is Roy Davis?”
“How do you know his name?”
