Chapter 7

I can't believe this.

I can't believe this.

I cannot freaking believe this.

I was driving a car that didn't belong to me. A car that cost more than my life.

And I had a key to his house.

Who did that?

But holy moly, this was the smoothest ride I'd ever been in. No springs poking my butt through the worn seats. No old dial and cassette radio. Even the mirrors had buttons that moved them like magic. This car was…heavenly.

Can I just say how cute my Daddy looked wearing his scrubbies? There he stood in the parking lot, waving me into the spot next to him as he waited to open my door. "What did you think? How was the drive?"

"Ah-mazing. Nothing poked my bum."

"Excuse me?"

"The seats in my car need replaced."

"That car needs to be replaced."

"Daddy," I said with a bit more attitude than I should've. "I can't afford a car payment."

He mumbled something under his breath I couldn't quite make out as he led me inside. "Table for two, please."

Since it was a weekday, we didn't have to wait long to be seated.

"You look very handsome in your work clothes."

"Thank you, Daddy. You look so cute in your scrubbies."

"Ha-ha, thank you. Question, do you have a set schedule at work? Since I hired another veterinarian, I only work Monday through Friday. Usually eight to five, though as I mentioned sometimes appointments run over or emergencies come in."

"Kind of. Unless it's the holidays, I usually open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday." Don't even get me started on the holidays. The one time of year everyone should be happy, but they were mean and grouchy instead.

The waitress came by and took our order, then Daddy reached over and took my hand. "Jamie, I know things are moving fast and I hope it's not scaring you. If it gets to be too much or you get uncomfortable, promise me you'll tell me."

"I promise, Daddy. I like spending time with you. The only thing I'm not comfortable about is the car but you pulled the Daddy card on that one." Daddy laughed and I couldn't help but smile. "I know, it's important to you that I'm safe. But I'm afraid of parking it at my apartment. What if it gets damaged or stolen?"

"Well, that's what insurance is for, but if it will make you more comfortable you can stay with me while your car is in the shop." Daddy's smile reached his eyes, so I knew he wanted this. Even if I didn't, I'd likely do it just for him.

"You don't have to ask me twice. Yes, please."

Daddy was a very happy Daddy today. No more frowny Daddy.

"I'll grab some more clothes after work." I'd already planned to pick up my stuff from Daddy's after work but now I got to leave it there. Yay me! I didn't care if this was too fast. I loved being around him and what better way than to be together all the time? Well, not during work hours of course, but at night when I got to sleep curled up with him.

Was it possible lonely Jamie would be no more?

Daddy kissed me goodbye at the car and watched as I drove off. I went home first to pack my clothes and may or may not have packed nearly all of them along with toys. I'd swing by after work and grab them along with some of the food I had since Daddy's fridge was nearly empty. Silly Daddy, eating out got expensive and boring when done too often. Grandma taught me how to make the basics and I enjoyed it. I wondered if Daddy would mind if his boy cooked for him.

The back of Daddy's fancy SUV was full when I pulled into the garage at his house. Daddy came right out to help me. How silly was it that it lit me up from the inside out when Daddy scooped me up and kissed me right there with the garage wide open where anyone could see?

"How was your day, sweet boy?"

"Better now that Daddy has me."

"That I do." Daddy kissed me again then set me down. "Okay, let me grab your bag from the back. Push the button to open it."

"I hope it's okay, I brought the food I had at home so it wouldn't go bad."

"I don't mind, and I do need to place a grocery order. Let's sit down and do that after we get you settled in. I made space in the closet for you."

He wasn't mad, so another good sign. "Okay, Daddy, show me where." Why was it so easy to be me, my true self around him? It was like instant Little, just add the right Daddy. Hehe, oops, was that out loud?

"What's got you giggling, cutie?" Daddy mussed my hair as he smiled at me.

"Just something silly I thought."

"Care to share it? I enjoy a good laugh."

He'll for sure think I'm a fool, but here goes. "I compared us to a recipe in my head."

"How so?"

"He-he, you did the puppy head tilt thing again, Daddy."

"Guess my job is rubbing off on me. But let's hear your silly recipe."

"I was just thinking how easy it is to be me around you and that my Little pops right out. So, in my head I went ‘instant Little, just add the right Daddy'." Ugh, saying it out loud was foolish, but when Daddy laughed it made it all worth it.

"I agree with that assessment and look forward to creating that recipe with you."

Daddy had a way of making me feel special and not like an imposition or that I was in the way. "Thank you, Daddy."

"No need to thank me, sweet boy, I love having you and your things here."

Gush. Gush. Swoon.

How fast was too fast to fall for your Daddy? Asking for a friend…

"This closet is ginormous!"

"Yes, when I had the house remodeled, I turned some of the space in the office into a walk-in closet. Here, let's get your clothes put away."

Daddy even cleared out dresser drawers for me. He really did want me here.

"All done, let's go figure out dinner." Daddy took my hand and picked up his iPad. He took a seat and pulled me into his lap. "Let's order dinner and order groceries. Anything particular you wanted tonight?"

"Nope. But I was gonna cook for us. You know, as my way of helping out. I can't really pay you back. Oh yeah, did you hear back on my car?" Shoot, I forgot about the biggest reason I was here.

"Yes," Daddy sat the iPad down. "Sweetheart, have you ever put oil in the engine since you've had it?"

Blink. Blink."Oil? In the engine?"

"That's what I was afraid of. Which also answers the question of any vehicle maintenance."

Blink. Blink.

"You need a new engine and the cost associated with that is higher than the value of your car. Now, I'll pay to replace the engine if that's what you want, though I don't recommend it. Decision is yours, replace the engine or sell it for scrap?"

"Sell it for scrap? It was Grandma's car." I burst into tears. How could this be happening to me? "I can't afford a new car."

"Jamie, sweetheart, please don't cry. I'll get it fixed if it's that important to you. I'm sorry I upset you. I'll tell him to go ahead with the new engine." Daddy rubbed my back. My words didn't come out right.

"No. Don't do that." Deep breath, Jamie. Time to put on your big boy pants. "I can't afford to fix it and it sounds like it's not worth it."

"Jamie, I'll take care of it if that's what you want. If not, you can keep driving the SUV. I don't mind."

"No."

"No, you don't like the SUV? We can get you something else."

I knew he would if I said yes, but I wasn't programmed like that. I earned my keep. "The problem isn't not liking it. The problem is loving it and not being worthy of it. Or of you."

"Now we're getting somewhere. Jamie." Daddy turned my head, so I faced him. "I'd love the names of every person who ever wronged you and made you think less of yourself. You're amazing, and sweet, and have such a kind heart. I don't ever see you taking advantage of me—ever. We've already had the Daddy and protecting you conversation. Do we need to have it again? That SUV sits most of the time and it's perfect for you. Plus, I like seeing you in it and in my space. Now the question is, do you like being here? Being a part of my life?"

I bobbed my head and managed to whisper, "I love it here with you."

"Then it's settled. You can drive the SUV, or we can buy you something else."

As if I wasn't already a drama queen, the dramatic groan and subsequent head drop only solidified that. "This is too much."

"You're too much." Daddy tickled me and nibbled my neck. "Now, let's get some food in you."

Daddy and I placed our first grocery order together and I put away the other stuff I'd brought. If Daddy noticed I'd brought more than just the basics, he said nothing. By the time dinner was over we were stuffed. I colored while Daddy put the groceries away and then we showered, and I fell asleep while Daddy read me a story.

On my day off, I decided to clean the house while Daddy was at work. Tay-Tay sang away as the mop and I moved in sync to the beat. We spun around at the end of the song and hit the high note I'd never hit before when I saw Daddy standing there and I screamed.

The mop went flying as I clutched my chest. "Daddy, you scared me."

"I'm so sorry, that wasn't my intention, but you were having so much fun I didn't want to interrupt. But what are you doing?"

"Cleaning, silly." I picked up the mop and got back to work. "I need to earn my keep here and try to pay you back for the tow truck and stuff."

"Jamie, sweetheart, you owe me nothing."

"No, Daddy, I pay my way." I was firm on that, and Daddy would just have to understand it.

"I can see I'm not going to win. But I have an idea how to make this work for both of us."

"I'm listening." Didn't mean I'd agree, but I kept that to myself. For now.

"How about a chore chart then?"

"A chore chart?" I had an idea what he meant but just to make sure we were on the same page, I'd wait for him to explain.

"Yes. We set up a chart on the fridge and you have chores or things to do. Each time you finish a task you get a gold star."

"Ooohhh, I like shiny stars."

"Ha-ha, I figured as much. Then at the end of the week we count up all your stars and you can pick a prize from the treasure chest."

"Treasure chest! Prizes! Yay! I'm in. When can we start?" Now I was too excited to focus on anything else. All I could see were shiny stars and pirate-worthy treasure. "Argh, it's me treasure they're after."

Daddy laughed at my horrible pirate voice. "You are a treasure." He clicked away on his phone, then set it aside. "What is that wonderful aroma?"

"I made dinner, Daddy. Grandma's meat sauce, and I fixed us a salad, too. Let me get the water going for the pasta."

"How did I get so lucky?"

"Huh?"

"To find such a perfect boy as you."

Lord, I was far from perfect, but fingers crossed Daddy never found out.