No matter what, none of this was your fault. It was mine.” He blew out a heavy breath. “I pretended that I was doing what a good dad would do, making money, but now I know that’s not right. I convinced myself that you had everything you needed. You had your grandparents and aunt and uncles. You didn’t need me. You probably still don’t need me. But I need you.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?”
He nodded. “I do. I need you, Bree. I’ll do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes, to prove it to you because I love you. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you before. But I will be now—even if I’m in Seattle. And I want to be here for you whenever you need me. Could you give me another chance? Could you do that?”
* * *
NEIL’S CHEST HURT while she thought it over, his sweet little girl with her round face, open heart, sensitive nature and thoughtfulness.
This. This was what was most important.
He’d realized when Maddie turned him away that she was giving him what he’d always wanted. Freedom from the responsibility of being a father. Freedom to stop worrying he’d made the right decision to pursue his dreams, to make something of his life at the cost of Maddie and his daughter. Freedom from the guilt that he wasn’t doing enough, wasn’t good enough to be Bree’s father, that he was failing her in some monumental way he could never make up for.
She’d given him a chance at what he used to think he wanted. Now he couldn’t even remember being that man. Not when the most precious thing in his life was sitting before him, as beautiful as her mother, as wonderful a gift as he’d ever been given.
“I’ll give you another chance,” Bree said. Then she smiled at him, a slow smile that lit her entire face. “I love you, too.”
Neil had never felt such relief. He was humbled. She had more inside of her, forgiveness and the ability to give second chances, and though he wasn’t sure he deserved either, he was grateful and wasn’t going to turn them away.
“Thank you,” he told her sincerely. He handed her a bag. “I got you something.”
She pulled out the latest bestselling paranormal young adult book. “Thank you.”
“It’s a new release,” he said, feeling nervous, more nervous than any other time he’d gotten a female a gift, but this was more important than those times. “The bookstore owner said it just came out today and thought you might like it.”
“It looks good,” Bree said, already scanning the back cover.
He pulled out a second copy. “I thought I could read it, too. Then we could talk about it. If you want.”
She smiled and hugged the book to her chest. “That would be cool.”
“I set up an account at the bookstore for you. You have credit so you can buy any book, as many as you want. But that doesn’t mean you’re to be wasteful. When you’re done with a book, give it to the library or donate it to a homeless shelter. And for each book you buy, you can pick out one for the day-care center for the little kids or for your school library.”
She threw her arms around him and hugged him and he knew this was home, this was where he wanted to be. No matter what.
The sound of the door shutting broke them apart and they both turned to see Maddie watching them from the porch, her hand shielding her eyes from the sun.
“Do you have to leave?” Bree asked.
“I do,” he said. “But first I need to talk to your mom about spending more time with you.”
“Okay. ’Bye.” As he left, he heard the best thing he’d ever heard. “I love you, Daddy.”
* * *
MADDIE’S STOMACH CRAMPED as she watched Neil walk toward her. Not from nerves, she assured herself. But because she knew that whatever conversation they had, no matter how quickly it went, would be uncomfortable. It had to be, what with her giving him the boot.
She should feel vindicated. Righteous. Instead she felt as if she was missing something. As if she’d made a mistake.
She shook off the feeling.
“I’m flying out to Seattle tonight,” he said in greeting when he reached her. “I want us to rework our custody arrangement.”
She frowned. “What? Why?”
“I want joint custody.”
Her entire world shifted. She was losing her balance and her hold on reality. “What?”