Page 22 of Wild Hearts

"Overwhelmed. Convinced I'm not going to be a good dad." I wanted to talk to him because he was a single father until he met Carolina. Joey's mother was around but not a reliable parental figure.

Oliver slapped my back. "Welcome to fatherhood, where you always think you're messing up your kids."

"That's not encouraging." When you find out your wife or girlfriend is pregnant, you have nine months or so to prepare, but I only had time to get everything in order and come home. Sometimes it felt like I was swimming against the current.

"There's nothing like a child's love. When you mess up, always apologize. There's nothing more important than making amends."

"So far, things have been okay, but she's living at the hotel with her grandparents. I'm not sure how it will be when she'sliving with me twenty-four seven." I'd read about setting a routine, but I wasn't sure that applied to a teenager. Then there were rules I'd need to enforce, but I wasn't even positive where to start. Should she have a set bedtime? Did she already have one? Did I need to be involved in her homework? Or was she independent? I had so much to learn.

"You'll figure it out as you go, and I'm here if you have any questions."

I nodded. "I appreciate that."

Oliver tipped his head toward the living room where Joey was setting up a board game. "So far, it seems like Joey's charm is working on her, so maybe we can get together with just our families."

It struck me then that Dakota was my family. I wasn't alone in this world anymore. We had each other. It seemed selfish when her mother had to die for me to find out about her. "Sometimes it doesn't seem real. That she's mine. That I didn't know about her for all these years."

"You can't look back. Do your best with the time you have. Be grateful for it."

I let his words settle into my consciousness.

At dinner, we sat at a long table in the dining room with windows overlooking their treehouse kind of view. It was exactly the feel Eli wanted when he built this place. I sat between Dakota and Addison.

I leaned over to ask Dakota, "How are you doing? Overwhelmed yet?"

She shook her head. "It's fine. Joey's cute."

I raised a brow. "You like kids?"

She nodded. "I used to watch the babies at my mom's church."

"You went to church with your mom?"

"Yeah, I was a member of the youth group and helped with the babies during the services."

"We'll have to find something for you here," I offered, even though I didn't have the first clue where to start. Maybe Aunt Clara's church she attended on Christmas. "I'll ask around and see which one has the best youth group."

She smiled. "That would be nice."

"Are you involved in any other activities?" I asked her, wanting to fill in the blanks.

"I play volleyball, but that's a fall sport."

"I'll teach you how to ski and snowboard. Maybe you can join the team here," Xander offered, his voice filling the space.

Her nose scrunched. "Oh, I don't know. I was terrible at ice-skating."

Xander waved a hand. "I can teach anyone."

"I'd like to learn."

Xander beamed, and Dakota seemed pleased with the offer.

I leaned in to whisper. "You can say no to Xander sometimes. It's good for his ego."

Dakota covered her smile with her hand.

Xander leaned across the table. "What is he saying about me?" When she giggled, he said, “I’ll have you know that he's just jealous of my athletic ability and charm."

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