Mission Delivery(14)
She put on a good game face when it came to the world, but behind it was a woman who had been emotionally neglected by her father after her mother had died. Young Teagan had learned to be tough enough to defend herself, not just against her no good daddy, but also against a small town that had turned its back on a child in need.
No one had truly loved her besides Belle; as a result, she had shut off her emotions. I wasn’t sure she knew how to love someone in a romantic sense. Getting involved with a man like Declan, who went through women faster than he went through his underwear, was probably a very bad idea.
Sitting down in the chair, I stared at my daughter, heavy in thought. If anything ever happened to me, I would hope another man would step up in her life to protect her from the angers and heartbreaks of the world, exactly what had not been done for Teagan. Well, maybe it was time for me to be that man. Whether she liked it or not, I was going to do my damndest to protect Teagan Robert’s vulnerable heart. I just wasn’t sure if I was protecting it from Declan … or herself.
As I smoothed my hand over Willow’s baby soft blonde hair, she made a small grunting noise and wiggled in my arms. The sight brought a smile to my face and lifted my heart in ways I didn’t know were possible. Before, I could not imagine loving another person as much as I loved Belle and Seth. Today had shown me that, when you added to your family, your capacity for love only grew.
Memorizing her small features, cataloging this for every precious moment it was worth, I leaned down and gave my daughter my own kiss on her forehead.
“You, Willow Baker, will be the most loved little girl on the planet. Your mommy will kiss your boo-boos and let you cry on her shoulder. Your brother will beat the hell out of any boy who attempts to look your way, and I will be whatever else you need. The rock you lean on. The hug you want after a bad day. Hopefully, the advice you seek when you’re confused about life. But, most importantly, I’ll be the father who loves you unconditionally.”
My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, so I pulled it out and looked at the caller id.
Jaxon Wall.
Worried something was wrong after our mission, I answered the phone with a low hello.
“Baker, calling in to check on your status since your arrival at the rendezvous point.”
A smile tipped the side of my lips. Only Jaxon would talk military jargon when it involved a baby.
Cuddling my daughter close, filled with an absolute happiness and loving every minute of this new stage in my life, I gave him the only answer I thought fit the question.
“Mission Delivery was a success, sir.”