AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nolan straightened and launched Madeline as instructed. Thankfully, he hadn’t failed in his duties, or Kiera would’ve reprimanded him.
Madeline straightened at the same time he did. She flew into the air, curved her body, and dove smoothly into the water. Absolutely breathtaking. She surfaced and wiped the water from her face. “Did I do all right?”
“All right?” Nolan asked. “That was incredible. You looked breathtaking. You should be a swim-diving model or a mermaid.”
Madeline smiled, and then she laughed.
“A swim-diving model? Pops, you’re acting really weird. Like my bros when they’re trying to get their wives to kiss them or something.”
Nolan met Madeline’s gaze, hope making him more lightheaded. He’d act weird if it would get Madeline to kiss him. “Sorry,” he managed. “But she did fabulous, right?”
“Yes! Chad’s mumisa beautiful mermaid. Now let’s play colors.”
Nolan and Madeline played the silly game, each choosing a color silently. The person on the diving board said different colors with their back turned and their eyes closed. When the right color was guessed, the swimmer had to stroke for the opposite end of the pool before they were caught and had to be ‘it.’
They played for at least an hour. Nolan finally had to break up the fun. “Bedtime, sweetie. Let’s walk Madeline to her room, then I’ll come read scriptures after you shower.”
“Plus songs and prayers,” she reminded him.
“Of course.”
They climbed out of the pool, dried off with the towels stacked on a side table, and walked out of the pool area. The luxurious spa was attached to the pool. The other half of the castle’s top level was the beautiful solarium full of flowers, greenery, and waterfalls. The solarium offered the most picturesque view of the valley. Could he bring Madeline up here alone sometime? It was a very romantic spot.
Walking along the hallway and down level after level of stairs, Kiera chattered about what a fantastic swimmer Chad’s mum was and how they should swim every night, and then she asked, “How long will you stay with us, Chad’s mum?”
Madeline looked to Nolan, and he wasn’t certain what answer would be appropriate. He was thrilled Kiera didn’t have an issue with him ‘dating.’ Kiera and Madeline’s interactions tonight had been ideal. With his daughter giving her approval of them dating he was ready to push ahead.
The problem he hadn’t foreseen, which he could blame on how invested he’d been in Madeline at the moment of asking her to pretend date him, was that Kiera would easily fall in love with Madeline as she had all of her sisters-in-law. Madeline leaving when she finished her assignment would be a hit for his daughter. It would be a hit to him too, but he was a grown man and would survive. Kiera didn’t need to love and lose someone again after losing her mum eighteen months ago. If only he could work into something more permanent with Madeline.
“Only for a short time,” Nolan said cautiously, cringing at the crestfallen look on Kiera’s face. It was smarter to set that parameter now, and pray he could change it. “We’ll savor the time while we have it.”
Kiera nodded bravely. “Unless we talk you into staying longer.”
Exactly his thoughts. Kiera being on the same page was the push he needed to pursue Madeline.
Madeline smiled at that. “Your dad is right. Let’s enjoy the time we have.”
Nolan wished she’d corrected both of them and said she’d never leave. How to convince her?
They reached Madeline’s door, and Kiera gave her an impulsive hug. “See you at dinner tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you then, sweet girl.”
Kiera turned.
“Goodnight,” Nolan said.
“Night.”
He forced himself to pivot and follow his daughter down the hall toward the staircase. The guest suites were a floor below the family suites.
“Nolan,” Madeline called.
“Yes?” He turned back. Would she ask for a kiss goodnight?
“Could I come hike with you in the morning?”
“Of course. You’re supposed to monitor me at all times, correct?”
