Lost Love (Cowboys and Angels #1)(13)
I normally never interrupted a parent and child on the first day, but I could see both of them were not dealing well at all. With a deep breath, I headed over. Chloe looked up at me. She dropped her hold on Steed and gave me a weak grin. Bending down, I came face to face with her. It wasn’t lost on me how close I was to Steed as well. My body could instantly feel his heat.
“Good morning, Chloe cat.”
Her eyes lit up at the nickname. I wasn’t sure why I called her that. I never gave my students nicknames.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as I wiped her tears.
“I’m afraid.” Chloe said between sobs.
Glancing at Steed, I could see this was killing him.
“It’s okay to be scared, Chloe. You’re not the only one who is nervous, but I promise you’re going to have so much fun today.”
Chloe tilted her head. “I’m just nervous? Not scared?”
I tittered. “Maybe a little of both.”
She turned to Steed. “Will you be okay today without me, Daddy?”
My heart stopped. How precious was she? And the look on Steed’s face left me breathless.
Steed took her hands in his. “I’m going to miss you, pumpkin, but I promise I’ll be okay.”
I stilled. That was the same pet name he had called me all those years ago.
He kissed the back of each of her hands. “Do the song, Daddy.”
Steed’s face turned white. “Um … we did it in the car, Chloe.”
Her little lip came out in a full-on pout, and I was positive she was about to lose it again.
Turning to Steed, I said, “I think today is such a special day that doing your song twice will make it extra special.”
Chloe nodded. We waited as Steed’s eyes bounced from me to Chloe. It was obvious he was nervous about this song of theirs.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” he mumbled.
“Daddy, please!” Chloe begged.
He swallowed hard then softly started singing. “You and me.”
I prayed he hadn’t noticed the sharp intake of air I had sucked in.
Next, Chloe sang. “Me and You.”
“No one has to tell me who,” Steed sang.
“For you will always be my truuuuue.”
Steed’s eyes caught mine as he sang the last line. “Yes … you will always be my true … true … love.” He was singing so softly, I barely heard the words.
My eyes filled with tears as Steed stared at me.
“I love you, Daddy.”
Not removing his gaze from mine, Steed whispered, “I love you.” Turning to face Chloe, he cleared his throat and said, “I love you too. Have a good day, pumpkin.”
When I stood, I nearly lost my balance, causing Steed to take my arm to steady me. I felt the sting of electricity zip through my body and I knew he had felt it too by the way he reacted.
He was singing our song to his daughter. My hand went to my stomach as my dream of Steed singing that to our child flashed before my eyes. I fought to hold back my tears.
“Paxton,” he whispered with pleading eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve sung it to her since the day she was born.”
I wanted to tell him it was okay. But it wasn’t okay. None of this was okay. Anger replaced whatever crazy emotion I was feeling right now. “You never called,” I said sharply. “This past week. You said you would call.”
Oh gosh. I sound like a silly wounded teenager.
He smiled. “I think you put the wrong number down on the packet.”
Pinching my brows together, I pulled my head back. What an excuse. “What? I don’t think so.”
“When I called the number, it was an older man by the name of Frank. He talked to me for nearly an hour before I was able to get off the phone.”
Oh no. Had I put the wrong number?
Steed took out his phone to show me.
Yep. I’d put the wrong number. I covered my mouth to hide my chuckle. “Crap,” I whispered.
“Ms. Monroe, should I go and sit at my seat?”
Pulling my eyes off of Steed, I glanced down at Chloe. “Give your daddy a quick hug goodbye and let’s get the fun started!”
She did just that before reaching up to take my hand in hers. She waved goodbye and Steed did the same. I walked Chloe to her desk.
“Well good morning my lovely kinders.”
“Good morning!” fifteen little voices cried out.
I walked up to my desk and leaned against it. “Today is going to be what I like to call fun day.”
“Will we never have fun after today?” a little boy named Timmy asked.
Laughing, I replied, “I hope we have fun every day, but today is an extra special fun day. We are going to learn all kinds of fun things. But first, we’re going to take a tour of the school and go see the library!”