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“Whoa. Hey.” He sat up with her in his lap. “I was just joking. You weren’t mean.”
“Are you sure? I might have been. I’m sorry. Sometimes I don’t always say the right thing. I don’t mean to be rude.”
“All right, this backfired on me. Catie-pie, you didn’t say anything rude. You weren’t mean. It was just a joke. One I won’t make again.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. I’m sorry that Daddy upset you.”
“It’s all right to make mistakes, Daddy. That’s how we learn.”
“That is very wise.”
“I am very smart.”
“Yes, you are. Now, go test out your fort. Would you like to read a book for a while?”
“I can reads a book in it?” she asked, eyes wide with excitement.
“Yep. You sure can. I’ll get your eReader when I get my laptop. You just stay there, Catie-pie.”
“I will, Daddy. I like it in here.”
“Good girl.”
41
Cate put down her eReader. She never thought this would happen . . . but she didn’t want to read anymore.
It had been nice and relaxing in her fort, to begin with, but after fifteen minutes, she began to feel lonely and all of her worries started to leak through the calmness she’d achieved with Ethan.
What if the stalker hurt Rhoddy?
What if he came after her and hurt Ethan?
Maybe she should take herself out of the equation and go to the vacation house. She wouldn’t need any protection and Ethan could help protect Rhodes.
She rolled over onto her tummy. Then to her back.
“Baby? You all right in there?”
Was she all right?
Not really. And she knew what would make her feel better. Going back to her routine. Which would likely mean heading to her closet to read or to the office to work.
But she didn’t want to be alone or to work.
There was one other thing . . .
She crawled out of the fort and over to where Ethan sat on the sofa. Which had no cushions on it.
“Is that comfortable?” she asked.
“It’s fine. Baby, why are you crawling? What’s wrong?”
“I just . . . I feel like I’m . . . the thoughts won’t stop.”
He set aside his laptop, looking concerned. “Baby, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you in there alone. I thought you might like some time to relax with your book. Come here.”
