AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I watched the array of emotions cross his face as she pulled back further to look at him and I prayed, she wouldn’t fear him in the moment.
“Penny baby,” I said gently, running my hand over her back, “This is-.”
“Prince Charming.” She said with such wonder in her voice and my heart completely fell into my stomach at the sweet memory of that day she saw his picture for the first time.
Fox’s face relaxed as he sagged in relief and tried to give her a small smile. Tears pooled in his bright hazel eyes as he stared into his daughter’s for the first time.
“You saved me.” She whispered in awe, “You took him out of the truck so he couldn’t hurt me. You’re just like a brave knight.”
“That’s right, baby.” I agreed excitedly, squeezing her even tighter as such joy flooded my heart. “He’s not Prince Charming though, sweetie,” I swallowed as Fox looked at me over her head, “He’s your Dad.” I said gently, leaning around to see the look on her face.
Her lips pulled into a big smile as she looked at me and then back to Fox. “Really?”
He nodded and swallowed, “Would that be okay with you? Would it be alright if I was your Dad?”
“Yes!” She nodded her head eagerly, “I’ve always wanted one.”
I tipped my head back and laughed, with sweet relief and joy from her innocent opinion and Fox chuckled.
Houston came around the truck and cleared his throat, uncomfortable at breaking up the moment but nodded to Fox, “Cops and ambulance are here.”
Fox nodded back and looked at me as reality burned through the shock of everything that had happened.
“Maddie.” I gasped, standing up with Penny in my arms as Fox put his hands under my arms to help.
“Slow down,” He commanded with his cool power and pushed my hair back off my face, “You’re hurt.” My face stung from the scrapes on it, but I didn’t care.
I shook my head, “No, she is,” I licked my lips and pushed Penelope’s head back into my neck, covering her ear, “He stabbed her.”
Houston interrupted again, “The Ken doll Doc is with her. She should be okay.”
“The who?” I questioned in confusion.
“Oliver.” Fox rolled his eyes before sighing, “He rode with us, refused to stay behind after he ratted you out.”
“Jesus.” I groaned at having him see this side of my life and Fox glared at me, so I clarified, “He has the hots for Maddie.” I shook my head and took a step to walk out to the barn and check on my sister. “Long story, I’ll tell you all about it someday.”
But my legs were jelly and fatigue had set in from the emotional roller coaster I’d been on for the last four hours.
“Jeeze, D.” Fox hissed, catching me as I started falling.
Penny pulled back to look at me, “Are you okay, Mama?” She asked with her tiny little eyebrows pinched over her tired eyes.
Everything my daughter experienced today would follow her for the rest of her life, and that broke my heart. “Yeah, baby,” I smiled to her, “Mama’s just tired from running so hard to get you.”
“Can Daddy carry me?” She asked, looking up at Fox. “So Mama doesn’t drop me.”
The smile that broke over his face was something I’d never imagined seeing from him before in my life. Now that I had, I wanted to see it every second of every day. “I’d love to.” He said, holding his hands out as she all but threw herself into his strong arms, tucking her face into his neck like she had mine.
So trusting.
So loving.
So natural, like she knew in her soul that he was hers.
Tears pooled in my eyes for the millionth time and I shook my head as glee filled my heart. I’d remember the moment for the rest of my life, and it would sit in the top five best ones forever.
“Let’s go get you checked out.” Fox wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against his side, holding most of my weight up as we walked wide of the dead body spilling blood onto the barren ground beneath it so Penny didn’t see it and then through the trees back out to the clearing of the ranch.
