dashing rake in this one? Or is he a duke?”
She grinned. “Both.”
I had discovered a guilty pleasure in reading the books she edited, often amused by the antics, and turned on a great deal of the time. I loved it when she printed out a steamy section and left it on my pillow. We had reenacted several scenes, and my favorite nickname for her was wench. She giggled when I would lower my voice and call to her.
“Come to me, my wench. Show your duke how much you love him.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it.”
She waggled her eyebrows, looking adorable. “I will. There is one scene I think you’ll like. How do you feel about wearing a kilt?”
It was my turn to grin. “Bring it on, lassie.” I kissed her, then moved away, knowing if I stayed close there’d be no more talking, and Chloe would be up soon.
I sat across from her, taking her hand. “Did the package come?”
“Yes.”
“Great. I’ll give it to her today.”
“You spoil her.”
I kissed her knuckles. “She deserves it. You both do.” I drew in a deep breath. “I have some news.”
“Okay?” She looked anxious, her brow furrowing.
“I accepted that job at Urgent Care.”
“You did?”
“Yes. The salary is decent, my hours are set, which means I’ll have more time for us, and the benefits are great. Once I’m settled, if I want, I can pick up a few shifts in the ER.”
“You loved it at the ER.”
I shrugged. “Yes. But a lot of that was so I stayed busy. I don’t want to be so busy anymore. I want time with my girls. The Urgent Care facility is great. I met some of the staff, and I’m looking forward to the change.” I sighed. “To be honest, with Gail leaving to retire and some of the new heads they have in the ER, it was time. They were talking more cutbacks and extra hours. I don’t want to burn out.”
“Then it’s a good decision.”
I met her gaze. “Yeah, it is.”
“I, ah, did something yesterday.”
“Oh?” I asked, curious.
Sam looked nervous. Then she lifted her chin. “I paid off your student loans.”
I blinked. Then again. “What?”
“I paid them off.”
“Why-why would you do that? How?” I sputtered.
“I used some of my settlement.” She held up her hand before I could argue. “Alan paid a lot to get rid of us, and I put most of it away for Chloe’s education. But I wanted to do this—for you, for us.”
I sighed heavily. “I don’t want you paying my debts.”
“I’m not. You can repay me at a much slower rate and with no interest. I figured it all out.” She eyed me speculatively. “I wanted to do that, Ian. Please let me. Knowing it’s less stress for you makes it less stress for me. Besides—” she flashed me a grin “—it would piss Alan off if he knew his money went to help you, so it’s a double bonus for me. Please accept it.”
Alan hadn’t been happy to find out his ex-wife had moved on. I had met him once, and our dislike of each other was mutual. I was worried he was going to try to use Chloe against Sam and me, but my fears were groundless. He had zero interest in being a father or a husband to them, but he hated not having the upper hand. He was a typical narcissist. He didn’t want Sam or Chloe, but he didn’t want anyone else to have them. Luckily, he grew tired of the game quickly and faded into the background, moving on with yet another new woman. I was glad he wasn’t part of Chloe’s life.
I sat back, amazed at this woman and how lucky I was to have her.
“I will pay you back.”
“I know. I have it all documented since I knew you would want me to.”
“I love you.”
She beamed, her dimples deep, her eyes glowing. “I love you.”
Thumping, fast footsteps headed our way and broke the moment. Wild curls, slipper-covered feet, a saucy smile, and the ever-present koala came around the corner. “Daddy!”
She had started calling me that when I moved in. It just slipped out one day while we were snuggling. When she’d said it, I had looked at Sam, who was watching us with tears in her eyes.
“You are my daddy now, right? You live with us. You call me Pumpkin. That’s a special name. So is Daddy.”
Since Alan had nothing to do with her, and I loved her like my own,