The fuckin’ man is taken with her, isn’t he? Christ, it’s my mom all over again.
“When we reconvene, I’ll make a formal ruling on guardianship. If it all works out, you’ll be able to file for adoption after that.”
“Adoption?” The room sways, and I run my fingers through my beard, reality setting in. “I can adopt her—permanently?”
“If you don’t fuck this up,” he murmurs, brows high, smirk on his lips. “You have one month, Kade. Can you change everything you are for her?”
One month.
Thirty days.
Jesus, that’s no time at all.
I have to move. Start over. Clean up my act, my life. But, I have no choice. This is happening. No one—and nothing—matters more than the innocent little girl lying alone in a hospital right now.
Fuck, she’s probably terrified.
Inhaling deep, I let it out and meet his eyes.
“I’ll be ready.”
Frank stares at me for a beat, then smiles, big and wide. “Alright, son. Any questions?”
My gaze slides to Georgia, and I’m shocked to see her pretty green eyes filled with a sheen I sure as hell don’t expect. She clears her throat and gives me a soft nod that hits me right in the solar plexus.
Just like her laugh. Just like her wildfire and starburst freckles, it settles something inside me.
I push to my feet and turn to Frank.
“When can I—” I swallow past the lump growing in my throat. “My—Marlee’s daughter. I’d like to meet her.”
Chapter Nine
It’s a reflex?
The hospital doesn’t smell like bleach.
That’s the first thing I notice.
It smells like plastic. Like rubber gloves and old vending machine coffee and trauma.
It feels even worse. Or maybe it’s just me.
Georgia’s already waiting for me, leaning against the wall outside a room with fish stickers all over the door. Her arms are crossed, giant purse pressed to her chest.
Unlike the other day, her curls are free—a reckless mess of oranges, reds, and every color in between.
I swallow hard, unprepared for what the sight does to my senses.
My eyes slide down her body, taking her in.
She’s a hell of a lot more casual today, dressed in a long, flowy floral skirt that brushes the tops of her boots and sways when she crosses her ankles. A chunky cream sweater hangs loose over her frame, tucked slightly at the waist with a wide belt that draws my eyes straight to her curvy hips.
“Did you make the drive okay?” she asks, dragging my attention away from her body with a knowing look. “Rydell is farther than I realized. Took me forever to find the place the first time I came.”
I blink a few times, jaw ticking—pissed off I’ve been caught checking her out when it’s the last fuckin’ place my mind should be.
“Obviously. I’m here, aren’t I?” I shoot her a harsh look as I step into her space and cross my arms. Not close enough to smell her or go hunting for those damn freckles again, but close enough to catch the little crinkles next to her eyes when she glares at me.
