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I was forcing a smile, and not because I wasn’t absolutely ecstatic that Daniel agreed to stay for a couple of days, just to make me and Harper feel a little bit more secure, but because so many things were weighing on my mind. There was a fear that the person who had tried to take Harper would come back, though I didn’t see it likely. I didn’t know anyone in the town, so there was no real reason he would have known who we were or where we lived. The cops believed it was a predator, out at a huge family style event, looking to snatch a kid.
Trying to figure out the why’s and the motives was too exhausting. How could you really understand the reasoning of a crazy person? And that was what that person had to be to have tried to take my daughter. On top of that I knew that every second that Daniel and I grew closer was one second closer to having to make a choice on what I was going to do about my secret. I didn’t want the drama. I didn’t want the fight. But most of all, I didn’t want to lose Daniel.
“And you’re coming back here after you run to your place and get some things?”
He nodded rubbing his hand down my head. “Yep. I’m gonna run in, take a quick shower, change, throw some stuff in a bag and head back over. I’ll bring a bunch of that food and we can have a cooking night. Maybe we can make homemade pizzas. Harper might like that. And I let Clint and the others know neither of us would be in to the office for a couple of days. Obviously I didn’t tell them we would be together, just that I had been there when everything happened and I had given you some time off with your kid. Clint said no problem, at all, that they will be there when you get back, and he’ll make sure they stay on track.”
I gave Daniel a half smile. “Everyone is so nice there.”
“Well, you’re good at what you do and he appreciates that. And I try to make sure our department heads manage with empathy. I want a family type atmosphere. Anyway, If you need anything call me. Unless its an emergency. Don’t call me first, just immediately call 911. Then call me.”
I chuckled. “Yes dad. I know I seem like a fragile doll right now, which I blame you for because you are mister big bad, comforting, I’ll protect you guy, but I have successfully kept me and that kiddo alive for a while now. But I will call 911 first, invite the guy in for tea, maybe do some pedicures, talk about his choices in turtlenecks and why they don’t make them anymore, and then I’ll give you a ring.”
Daniel shook his head. “At least you have your sense of humor back.”
“It’s pretty much all I got at this point,” I replied.
He took a deep breath and glanced over at Harper who was playing on the floor in front of her morning cartoons. “Okay. I’ll be back. Remember, anything you need, just call.”
I leaned up and kissed his cheek, nodding.
Standing at the door, I watched until he disappeared out of sight. I glanced around the street for a second but there were only families walking back and forth to the last day of sandcastles. Still, I couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching me. I shook it off, figuring that it was solely because of everything that had transpired over the last few months, and shut and locked the door.
From the moment I woke up to a giggling Harper making breakfast with Daniel, I felt the desperate need to call my best friend. I needed advice. So, I grabbed my cell and posted up in the kitchen where I could keep an eye on Harper, but not let her overhear what I was saying. She really wouldn’t understand any of it, but I didn’t want her repeating anything. She was in that awkward say and ask anything, not understanding social cues stage.
“So,” Amber said, answering the call. “Did mister perfect come see you?”
I let out a deep breath, holding back tears. “Yeah. Right after I got off the phone with you.” The tears began to trickle down my cheeks. “Oh, dude, so much happened.”
Amber’s voice went serious. “What’s wrong? Is Harper okay?”
I nodded. “Yes, thanks to Daniel. We were having the best time. We had breakfast, saw all the castles, and were walking around the vendors. Daniel took her down off his shoulders, which is where she pretty much resides the entire time he’s around, and they were dancing to the street musicians. He pulled me and I looked away for two seconds. When I looked back, she was gone. Then I saw this person, dressed all in black, wearing this creepy wooden mask like some of the musicians and he had Harper. I took off after them, but short legs weren’t very fast. Daniel though, he zoomed past, chased the guy all the way to this backyard. The guy or gal or whatever, put Harper in the sandbox and then attacked Daniel.”
Amber gasped.
I shook my head. “He’s okay. He has a cut on his head, and the person banged him up pretty good, but didn’t do anything to Harper. He just ran off. The cops were there really fast but they didn’t find anything. They think he was just some creepo at the event because lots of kids and families are there, and went for it.”
“Holy shit,” Amber replied. “I mean they don’t think this is connected to what happened at your office do they?”
I hadn’t actually even thought about that. “No, I don’t think so. I mean Daniel talked to them so I’m sure he told them, but they didn’t say anything about it. I mean, it wouldn’t really make sense.”
“Not to freak you out, but they kind of left a cryptic message for Daniel and then someone tries to snatch his daughter and run off? But then he doesn’t do anything to her, thank God, and just kicks the shit out Daniel and leaves? Did they say anything to Daniel?”
Suddenly I realized I hadn’t even talked to Daniel about it. We had just gotten home and not focused on that. “I don’t think so. I’ll ask him when he gets back.”
Amber chuckled. “Back? As in he just left and he’s coming back that soon?”
I let out a deep sigh. “Girl, my head is so screwed up. He has been so amazing and the connection between us has been so crazy. It’s like I’ve known him my whole life. He has this deep bond already with Harper. I found them last night on the couch with her asleep on his chest holding his hand. They were making breakfast this morning. And jesus, the sex we had last night…”
“Sex? What?! Girl.”
I groaned. “I knowwwww. But when we’re together it’s so perfect. I thought about it all day yesterday and it was the first thing I thought about today. I don’t think I can push him away. But I know that if I tell him, there’s a really good chance he’ll never speak to me again. Except maybe when he takes his billions and takes me to court for Harper. I can’t lose her. But I can’t lose him either. And I feel like I’m cheating Harper by not allowing that relationship.”
“Look, I’ve thought this since the first day you said Daniel was there. You have been nothing but super mom since you found out about Harper. You haven’t dated, you haven’t put her in any kind of heartache situation, and you have always done what’s best for her. In this case, both options have shitty outcomes, but I think that telling him is a better choice.”
I sat back on the stool and rubbed my temple. “Tell me why. Guide me. Convince me please.”
Amber chuckled. “I’ve never been the one telling you what was best. That’s supposed to be your job. But this is my thought. You deserve to be happy. And even if it doesn’t work with Daniel, because of this whole thing, that weight will be lifted. On top of that, and probably more importantly, if you hide this from Harper and she finds out when she’s older, and she will, they always do, she may resent you for it. It’s obvious your feelings are strong, and I know first hand that if you let Daniel get that close to Harper, then you trust him with her.”
