Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Hopefully, she could help set me on the right path, or I would continue feeling lost without a clue of where to go next.
Chapter 9
Jesse
“This is my favorite song of yours.”
“Oh, stop,” Delilah laughed as she buried her face in her hands.
I chuckled and turned my car radio up louder, letting her single “Falls Away” fill my SUV. I turned down the main street of downtown, looking for the best place to park. I took her with me on a supply run for the ranch, wanting her company.
At this point, I craved her company when she wasn’t with me. She made me laugh and feel like I could open up to her, which was no small deal. I didn’t air out my dirty laundry with the mother of my child to many people, but her gentle eyes and small smile weakened me every damn time.
“It’s a good song,” I said, flashing her a warm smile. “Your vocal range and breath control are really impressive.”
Delilah’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Wow, thank you. People just usually say I sing well, but I guess you musicians can pick up on more specific things,” Delilah laughed softly.
I chuckled and shrugged, figuring she was right. As catchy and upbeat as the instrumental was, her voice was the best sound. She could hit falsettos that rang out beautifully, and she could draw out low, smooth notes with ease.
“We can appreciate beautiful sounds even more,” I replied.
Delilah passed me a grateful look before glancing down.
“Your phone is ringing,” she told me.
I grabbed it off the center console and checked the caller ID.
“It’s Maria’s school,” I murmured before answering. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mr. Dean. I have Maria with me in the office, and she says she’s not feeling good. Her stomach hurts,” the school’s secretary told me.
I frowned, worry automatically spiking through me. Was something wrong? Did she have a bug? Being Maria’s father was the most terrifying, incredible experience I had ever gone through. I wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’ll be right there to get her,” I said before hanging up. I then remembered that Delilah was with me. Damn it, we just met, and I didn’t make a habit of introducing women to my daughter unless it was serious. Not that I had been dating because I was more focused on Maria than anything else. I just didn’t want to confuse her, but I didn’t have enough time to drop Delilah off and then go all the way to the elementary school.
“Is she okay?” Delilah asked with a worried look on her face.
My heartbeat seemed to stutter as a surprised expression crossed my face. I didn’t expect her to seem so concerned.
“Her stomach hurts. Are you fine to ride with me so that I can get her as soon as I can?” I asked her, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. The chemistry between us was electric, and I didn’t want to kill it by making her think I was getting super serious straight away.
“Of course,” Delilah replied with a nod. “Let’s go.”
I subtly smiled to myself before turning off the main road to head toward the elementary school. For some reason, I almost reached out and took her hand. An intimate touch. I needed to rein myself in, but I figured I reacted like that because she just seemed to care so much.
“I’ll be right back,” I said once I parked in front of the office. I left the SUV running and hopped out, walking through the glass front door to see Maria sitting in a seat with a pitiful look on her face. I beelined over to her and crouched down, placing my hands on her knees. “Hey, baby. You okay?”
Maria pouted and placed her hand on her stomach.
“Sick,” she murmured.
“I’ll get you home and fix you some ginger ale. How about that?” I asked her as I untucked a strand of her long, black hair from under the strap of her pink princess backpack.
Maria nodded and wrapped her arms around my neck so that I could pick her up.
I nodded to the secretary before walking out of the office and back to the SUV.
“Daddy’s friend, Delilah, is with me, okay? She’s really nice and likes to sing,” I told her, not wanting her to be caught off guard by the random woman in the passenger’s seat.
“Sing? Does she know Disney?” Maria asked, perking up a little.
“You can ask her,” I replied before opening up the backseat and putting her in her car seat. “Maria, this is Delilah.”
Delilah turned in her seat to smile back at Maria.
“Hi, Maria. I’m sorry you don’t feel good,” she said, looking as sincere as she sounded.
“Can you sing Princess and Frog?” Maria asked.
“She’s obsessed with Disney movies,” I told Delilah as I buckled Maria in.
“I do know the song Almost There,” Delilah said.
“That’s my favorite!” Maria gasped.