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“Corabsa conversation with soht here if you need anything”

Pike s a Harlequin novel

“I don’t need anything but theseme around” Maisy quips “And another brandy” She holds her drink up toward Veronica who sighs and looks toward Pike Maisy snorts, “You don’t need his perive me a damn drink”

Pike nods He plays the tough guy but both Maisy and I have his number

“You’re a sweet Daddy” I lean into his side as he drapes his ar me?”

“You’ll see princess Just come with me” He has dark circles under his eyes

Pike has been working soof his time, but I miss him so This house I hope will be our sanctuary A place where he can coe but sometimes I wonder how often he will be able to take time His company runs him to the brink of exhaustion

He leads reat room The slick floors arestone and plaster with barn beaary

We visited there on our honey his faathered and welcomed us with open arms

His Grandparents left some land to his mother He didn’t know until ere there and his ave hinerations There were several century old buildings on the property that were not repairable Old stables and a huge hay barn So, Pike had them taken down, but saved all the lumber Shipped the beams and planks back here to build this country house for us It was co here as a family for the holidays

As we get close to the bedroom, Pike stops us

“Princess” He shifts, taking me by the shoulders to face him “You are part of my very soul, you know that don’t you?”

“Yes Daddy” I smile The look on his face somewhere between concern and joy “What is it?”

I watch hi that comes over him often I see the responsibility he feels for me

“Just come in to the bedroom We need to talk”