Page 6 of Wild Hearts

I smiled reassuringly. "I'm Addison. We've talked on the phone. It's so nice to finally meet you."

Her gaze flitted from me to Blanche. "Hi."

Blanche tilted her head toward me. "Miss Montgomery ishere to take you to see your father. But she wanted to talk to you about it first."

Her nose scrunched as if she'd rather be doing anything else. "Okay."

"I'll leave you two alone. Come down when you're ready." Blanche turned to leave.

"Thanks, Blanche. I appreciate it." I wasn't sure she'd give us the space to talk. But I wanted to make it appear as if it was Blanche's decision. Cooperation was key.

"Do you mind if I come in?" I asked Dakota.

She stepped back, sitting on the edge of an unmade bed. Her suitcase was open on the second bed, so I sat on the only chair in the room. "How was your trip?"

She sighed. "Long."

She wasn't going to make this easy on me. "I'm going to facilitate your meeting with your father today. I'll be there the entire time. Your grandparents expressed interest in attending, and I wanted to know what you thought about that."

She raised a brow. "I get a choice?"

"It's ultimately up to your father. But I'll let him know how you feel. I know he wants you to be comfortable. You're his first priority."

Her eyes widened. "I don't know what to do."

It was possible she felt conflicted—loyal to her grandparents, yet curious about her father. "Do you want to leave it up to your dad?"

She let out a breath. "I think I'd like to meet him with you there. Is that okay?"

"We can do whatever you're comfortable with. I'll let Walker know."

I stood and moved toward the door.

She asked, "What's he like?"

I turned to face her. "Your father?"

She nodded. "Grandma said you knew him from school."

"I met him right after his parents died and he came to live with his aunt and uncle. He was new to our school."

She lifted her chin slightly. "His parents died?"

"In a car crash when he was fourteen." I was positive that Walker would be okay with me telling her this information. In fact, it might be easier on him if she already knew his history.

"I didn't know."

"I know he's a bit of a mystery to you now. That's why we're doing this, for you to get to know each other and feel more comfortable."

She bit her lip.

"Are you ready to go, or do you need a few minutes?"

She stood. "I need to use the restroom."

"I'll wait for you downstairs." I left the room, letting out a shaky breath. This was untraveled territory for me. I was facilitating a first-time meeting between a daughter and her father, and I knew the father intimately once upon a time. Would it be awkward? Would all the old feelings come rushing back?

Addison: Dakota wants to meet you without her grandparents present. Is that okay?

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