Page 32 of A Little Christmas Wish

How could he not see that?

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes! I know how old I am, Daddy!”

“So you don’t want to sit on Daddy’s lap and be cuddled up against his chest as he feeds you a bottle?” he asked.

Wait! When he put it like that . . .

“You know, maybe I could have a bottle. But I don’ts need the nap.”

“You need the nap,” he said firmly. “You have dark marks under your eyes. You haven’t been sleeping and you’re jumping at shadows. Bottle and nap.”

Reaching down, he lifted her, then carried her over to the rocking chair. It was painted white with a soft peachy-pink blanket resting over the back of it.

He sat in the chair and she saw he’d already put her bottle on the small side table next to the chair.

After he settled her back against one arm, he reached over and grabbed the bottle, placing it against her lips. Opening her mouth, she started to suck.

Betsy had no idea how he thought she was going to sleep.

There was no way.

Not . . . happening . . .

Ink carefully removedthe bottle from between her lips and set it to one side. He didn’t immediately put her into bed. Instead, he rocked the chair back and forth as he stared down at her sleeping face.

He knew he should put her into bed, but he was enjoying holding her too much. She was so beautiful. Her perfect mouth was slightly open as she breathed in deeply.

Ink hated the dark marks under her eyes. Betsy worried so much over everyone else. She needed someone to look out for her because she’d never do it for herself.

Resting his head back against the chair, he closed his eyes for a long moment.

They couldn’t find Zippy’s foster father. It was like he’d disappeared into thin air. That couldn’t be possible, though.

So where the hell was he?

Betsy made a small noise of fear.

“Hush, baby. You’re all right,” he soothed, tightening his hold slightly. “Shh. Shh.”

She immediately quietened.

He’d just hold her for a while longer and leave the rest of the world behind.

10

“School going okay, kid?” Ink asked.

Zippy sighed. “Yeah, it’s okay.”

“Your teacher all right?”

“She’s okay.”

“The other kids? Are they being nice? Did you make any friends?” he asked.

“Ink?”

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