Page 78 of Solid Ground

“You’re exhausted. I can see that. I’ll take care of her, and you go and have a soak in the bath and a sleep.”

“You’ve been working too.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, please. It was the first day on set and just a big meet-and-greet. You’re doing the hard stuff. Did you feed her?”

Daisy wails and Zoe’s lower lip wobbles. “Yes, she’s been fed,” she whispers.

“Well, that gives you a few hours. Let me do my thing.” I lean over and kiss her softly, reaching for the baby. Once I’ve got her in my arms, I nod toward Zoe. “Get out of here.”

She’s struggling to smile—it’s obvious, and I don’t take myeyes off her as she walks out of the living room toward the stairs.

I know what she’s like. She’ll be having a bath with one ear tuned in to listen for Daisy. If I can’t get our girl to sleep, she’ll be back and stressing again.

Moving Daisy to my shoulder, I cradle her head with one hand and rub her back with the other. “Come on, little one.”

It takes a few minutes until a burp any grown man would be proud of erupts from my tiny daughter, and I grin. “That’s my good girl.”

The crying stops, and she whimpers as I carry her up the stairs and toward our room.

I smile at the splashing sound coming from the bathroom.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rock Daisy, her big dark eyes staring up at me.

“I’m your daddy, little one. Yes, I am.” I’ll never get enough of saying that. This little girl won’t ever want for anything.

“Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do,” I croon. “I’m half-crazy all for the love of you.”

Her tiny eyelids flutter, and she snuffles before they close.

Zoe needs support. All she has is me, and if I’m not here to help her out then times like earlier will be stressful to her. What more can I do to help?

I’m not sure how long I sit there, but soft footsteps behind me make me turn.

“She’s asleep?” Zoe whispers.

I nod. “Once she got that air out, she was halfway there.”

She frowns. “How do you do that? I’d been trying for half an hour.”

Shrugging, I reach for her, and she sits on the bed beside me. She watches Daisy sleeping with a pout on her face—one I’m planning on removing.

“Magic touch, I guess. Let me put her in her crib and I’ll show you.”

Zoe tilts her head. “I think you’re pushing your luck.”

“I can be gentle.”

She slaps my arm. “I thought you said I should rest. That’s not resting.”

“You don’t have to do anything.”

After standing, she then walks around the bed and drops her bathrobe to the floor. She’s wearing sleep shorts and a satin tank top, her nipples prominent against the fabric.

I let out a low wolf whistle, and she blushes.

“Stop it.”

“You’re so beautiful, Zoe.”

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