Page 95 of Unwrapped

“This one. It’s perfect.”

She turns to me. Her eyes alight with happiness, her face glowing. Freddie’s light glows from her. She’s blossomed this past year. We had a few awkward moments when she asked for money and wanted to go the drugstore alone at nine at night. I’m not sure whose face was redder: mine or hers when it finally dawned on me what she needed.

But overall, we’ve become quite the family. I haven’t told her yet, but this Christmas my gift to her — is that we are going to be together forever. The adoption paperwork is almost done. Freddie is about to be officially my daughter.

I take the diamond ring from the jeweler feeling the weight of it in my hand.

“It’s a Tacori. I know it’s what she wants.”

“Is that so?”

“Uh-huh. I was flipping through Shiloh’s magazines and there was an ad. It was in her eyes when I showed her.”

“Freddie? You didn’t give away our surprise?”

“No. I just asked her if she thought it was too gaudy.”

“She said it was perfectly elegant and exactly the kind of ring she would wear.”

“Hmmm. Okay. I trust you.”

“I love you, Dare.”

“Love you too, squirt. We’ll take it.” I hand my credit card over to the clerk. I already know the ring will fit. Shiloh sleeps like a hibernating bear. It’s cute as hell. She didn’t even flinch as I took her ring finger one night and took a ring sizer to it, making sure I knew exactly what size ring would slip on her finger—a six.

“Are you happy here in LA?”

“I am. I love the warm weather and the Palm trees. But I still think Christmas needs snow and evergreen trees.”

“Agreed.” Freddie and I moved to California for Shiloh. I opened up a West Coast office. The distance was too much and taking its toll. Shiloh was floored, but truthfully, I was done living in the cold. Besides, it’s a day’s drive up north to Springdale to the people who are family.

“Did you buy gifts for Uncle Rog, Aunt Devon, Aunt Shanna, and Uncle Duke?”

“No, I didn’t. I need your help with that.”

She clasps her hands giddily. “I can’t wait to spend Christmas in Springdale with them.”

“I can’t wait either.”

“Are you sure, you are okay staying with Rog and Dev for a few nights?” I’ve made arrangements for Freddie to stay with them so I could seduce Shiloh at the Inn, in the very room we made love for the first-time last Christmas.

She rolls her eyes. “I am almost a teen… and yes, I can’t wait. They have dogs… two dogs, a cat, and a baby!”

Now, it’s my turn to roll my eyes, “I get the hint, sprite. But we live in the city and I just got you figured out never mind a baby.”

“So?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“It’s okay. You’ve given me so much already. It’s the first winter I have my own coat. One that actually fits.” She bites her lip, looking down. “And I’ve never gone to bed hungry or scared since I came to live with you.”

Ah, fuck.

I swallow hard, feeling my throat tighten. My arms go around her, pressing her close. “You’ll never have to worry about those things ever again. I swear.”

The clerk hands over the ring, carefully boxed with my credit card. I sign the slip and pocket the ring.

Freddie hooks her arm through mine as we stroll through the outdoor mall. “So, you think she’ll get mad if we buy a house in Malibu without consulting her?” I ask Freddie.

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