Page 70 of The Heart of the King

David’s heart ached as he pulled her closer. “Hazel, I could never want you dead. Ever. I didn’t even know who you were for a very long time. Then there was no way for me to be able to talk to you until after the police took your mother away from your house.”

“I know that now. Otherwise, you woulda left me last night.” She snuggled into his arms. “I’m glad Mama was wrong about the boat.”

He blinked. “What about the boat?”

“Mama said it was gonna catch fire with you on it. I forgot about it until last night.”

“Why didn’t you say something last night?”

She shrugged. “You were sleepin’, and I didn’t want to bother Mrs. Sneedly.”

“You can always wake me up if you know something important, sweet girl.” He kissed her head. “I’m your big brother. It’s my job to take care of you.”

“Like Jazzy is like my mama, and you’re my brother but also kind of like my papa.”

“Just like that.” He needed to find out how to make the guardianship permanent and if they could adopt her - if she wanted them to. “You’ll always be a part of our family, no matter what.”

“That’s not what Mama said. She said Papa and gran’papa didn’t like girls in the family.” Her tone was so matter-of-fact that David’s heart broke again.

“Well, she wasn’t wrong about that. Our father and grandfather don’t like to have girls in the family, but they’re wrong. Girls are wonderful, and I’m very glad you’re a part of our family.” He meant it when talking about Hazel herself, though he could have done without the rest of the drama, but they were a package deal.

“She wrote it all down in her book.” Hazel sighed and moved away from him. “I gotta do maths.”

“What book?”

Hazel shrugged. “Mama had a book she wrote in a lot. She hid it.”

“Where?”

“Inside a big Bible. The Bible had a belt thing on it so it wouldn’t open but inside there was a hole cut in the pages so Mama’s book would fit inside.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t allowed to touch it.”

“Thank you for telling me.” His mind raced. He needed to let Randall and Daniel know immediately. “We’ll spend tomorrow together, all right? I have a special project for Jasmine that I need help with.”

Hazel nodded then picked up her workbook. “Thanks for saving me last night.”

David stood then gave her another hug. “It was my pleasure. I’m glad I was there to help.”

Giving her a final squeeze, he went back out to the outer area before going into his quarters, already dialing his phone.

The candlelit dinner for two was already set up, just waiting for the candles to be lit and food to be delivered when he called for it.

But David barely noticed as he spoke to Daniel. He’d come back in a few minutes and put the final touches on it.

But first he needed to make sure this book was found.

When Jazz madeit to David’s room at the cabin for their special dinner, he wasn’t there, though it had clearly been set up for a romantic meal.

She checked her phone, but there were no messages waiting for her.

Something had to have come up. That’s what she told herself. He wouldn’t have set this all up - or had it set up - if he planned to ditch her.

As she contemplated changing into something more nicer than yoga pants, David rushed through the door.

“I’m so sorry, Jasmine.” He kissed her cheek. “I was here a couple of hours ago and planned to be waiting for you, and then Hazel said something, and I had to go make sure the proper people knew about it.”

Jazz laughed. “If you’re talking in run on sentences, you must be sorry. It’s fine. I want to hear about it, but are we dressing up for this meal or can I stay in my yoga pants?”

“Whatever you want. I think something comfortable sounds nice.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll meet you back here in a few minutes.”

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