Page 21 of Wild Hearts

Addison stood on the porch with Dakota, who was fiddling with the edge of her sweater.

"If you don't want to come in, we can go somewhere else." I made a move to step outside, but Aunt Clara appeared next to me. "Are you Dakota? You look just like your father."

Dakota smiled tentatively. "I am."

"Dakota, this is my Aunt Clara. Aunt Clara, this is my daughter,Dakota." I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to sayingmy daughter. It felt good though.

"Come in. I want to see you." Aunt Clara waved for her to come inside where she took Dakota in her arms.

My eyes stung as I watched them embrace. I hadn't expected to feel so emotional about my family meeting my daughter for the first time.

Addison squeezed my hand, and when I looked over at her, she smiled encouragingly.

"Stop hogging the new girl. We all want to meet her," Xander said with his usual charm. When Dakota pulled away from Aunt Clara, Xander said, "I'm the favorite uncle."

Addison dropped my hand and stepped back to give us space.

"Okay," Dakota said, drawing out the word.

Worried she was overwhelmed already, I moved to her side and placed a hand at her back. "This is Xander, my annoying cousin."

Xander placed his hand over his heart as if he was offended.

I gestured at Tori who stood next to him. "And his better half, Tori. She's one of the doctors in town."

"Nice to meet you," Tori said to Dakota.

Then I guided her farther into the house to meet Eli and Scarlett. "My oldest cousin, Eli, and his wife, Scarlett. This is their house."

"It's nice. Thank you for inviting me," Dakota said softly.

I noticed that Dakota was polite. Her mother must have taught her manners.

"You're welcome anytime. I'd love to go shopping if you want to decorate your new room," Scarlet offered.

Dakota looked at me for approval.

"You can decorate it however you want," I assured her.

Dakota turned her attention back to Scarlett. "That would be nice. Thank you."

Oliver approached, holding Joey. "I'm Oliver, and this is my son, Joey, and I'm not too proud to admit, my better half, Carolina."

Dakota nodded.

Oliver put Joey down, and he tugged on Dakota's hand. "Will you play with me?"

I held my breath, not sure if a thirteen-year-old would want to spend time with a six-year-old, but Dakota smiled, and said, "Sure. What do you want to play?"

Joey pulled her into the living room where Scarlett and Eli kept some toys for when he visited.

Scarlett invited Addison into the kitchen, probably to catch up.

I moved toward Oliver, who raised his brow. "Does she babysit?"

I gave him a look. "You're not putting my daughter to work when she just got here."

Oliver shook his head. "I was just giving you shit. How are you feeling about everything?"

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