Page 123 of Delayed Penalty

She sniffles on the last word, her eyes rimmed red with unshed tears. I’ve never once seen this kid crybefore, not in everything she’s been through, and she’s too damn close to it now.

“I was so close to having a mommy,” she whispers, and fuck if those quiet words don’t break my heart.

“Flora…Quinn isn’t your mom, you know that, right?”

“I know.”

“And I’m not your dad.”

“I know. You’re Uncle Adam. But sometimes…” She trails off, her little lip trapped between her teeth. “Sometimes I pretend you are my dad and I pretend Just Quinn is my mom and I feel so happy I could burst.”

Now it’s my eyes that are lined with tears. How could they not be after that? It’s what every kid wants—a family. To be loved. To be happy. Flora’s gotten a glimpse of that over the last few months, and now there’s a chance it’s being ripped away from her all because I’m a big idiot who messes everything up.

If I’m being honest with myself, I sometimes pretend I’m her dad too. Itfeelslike I’m her dad, like she’s mine. I was so scared when she first got here, so fucking worried I’d resent her for screwing my life up, but now? Now I can’t imagine it without her.

And I can’t imagine it without Quinn either, wherever the hell she is.

“Flora…” I clear my scratchy throat. “I’m…I’m sorry. What can I do to make this better?”

She sniffles again. “Butterscotch candies would help.”

I chuckle lightly. “I can do that.”

“We can stop by George’s on the way home and get them.”

“Yeah, we can stop by—George’s!”

“That’s what I said.”

“No. George’s! We haven’t checked George’s.”

She gives me a look that saysWhy would Quinn go there?I can give her two words that explain it just perfectly.

“Butterscotch cookies.”

I throw the car into reverse and go find my girl.

“You got a lot of nerve walking in here.”

George rises from his stool behind the counter, the big white-haired burly man pushing to his full height. And it’s…well, underwhelming. I’ve nevernotseen George on his stool, and seeing him now? It’s not what I was picturing. He’s so…short.

“You, however, are welcome.”

He winks at Flora,who grins up at him.

“Hi, George,” she says. “You got any candy?”

“Kid, this is a store. Of course I have candy. For you.” His stare goes from warm to icy in one second flat when he looks over at me. “Not your uncle.”

“Is she here?” I ask, ignoring the glare he’s tossing my way.

“Is who here?”

I want to be annoyed by this game he’s trying to play, but all I can do is love the way he’s protecting her.

“I’m taking that as a yes.”

“I didn’t say yes.”

---