“Because you really don’t seem like a team player.”
He looked amused at that. “Well, I am the leader of the team. So I am in charge.”
“Ahh, that makes more sense.”
“You can sleep in if you want to, Maya.” He put his hand on the back of her neck. “I’m here to share the load.”
“That’s going to take some getting used to,” she told him.
He nodded. “I get that. But, there’s something I want you to do for me.”
“What’s that?”
“Start wearing shoes when you go outside,” he said firmly.
She had to grin. “I’ll try.”
“Try harder.”
“Are you sure they’ll be all right outside? What if the fence has a hole in it? Gummy could easily escape. Or what if a wild animal attacks?”
He squeezed the back of her neck. “You need to trust me. I’m going to take care of them and you. They’re safe. We’re not far away. All right?”
She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All right. Sorry. It’s hard not to worry.”
“I know it is, but I’m going to help you with that. And I think the best way is to spend some time in Little headspace. What do you think?”
“I think . . . I want to try.”
“Good girl. I’m going to let you take a shower and get dressed on your own. But after that, you’re completely mine.”
Wow.
That sent a small shiver through her. She liked the idea of being completely his.
“I wondered where you were,”Matthieu said from the doorway of the playroom.
She glanced up, giving him a shy look. She’d dressed in a pair of olive-colored overalls with a white T-shirt underneath. Her hair was pushed back with a thick white headband. There were white sneakers on her feet. She looked adorable.
“I thought I’d come get into the right mindset.”
“How are you getting on?”
She let out a small laugh. “Not so great.”
“Maybe you need Papa’s help,” he suggested.
“I think I do.”
“Let’s have breakfast first. I’ve set it up outside.”
She stood and took his hand. He led her to the back porch where he’d set up breakfast on the small table.
There were croissants and jelly. Cream cheese. Strawberries and raspberries.
“Yummy!” She clapped her hands.
“Glad you approve, Bébé,” he said as he held a chair out for her.
