Charlie’s face fell. “I won’t be going home with him?”
It was clear that Charlie loved her dad just as much as he loved her. “Maybe. Not sure how the rich and famous people do it. There are facilities specifically to rehab your type of injury. It is probably costly to set it up in someone’s home. From what I know of your dad, he can do it. Do you want to go home with him?”
Her eyes were cast downward. “I guess.” Charlie sighed. “Maybe I am a little tired.”
Speaking of the devil, Remington strode into the center carrying a bouquet of red roses. Everything about the man screamed confidence and swagger–including his walk. Sky’s breath caught at the sight of him. Her pulse quickened. Down girl. She chided herself.
Charlie noticed that something caught Sky’s attention, so she followed her line of sight. Interesting. She thought. Charlie pushed her suspicions to the side. Surprisingly, given her complicated feelings with her father, Charlie had to admit, her heart lifted the moment she saw him.
“Hey, kiddo.” He bent low and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “These are for you.” Remington handed her the flowers. When he stood, he acknowledged Sky. “Dr. Kirby.”
“Mr. Remington.” It was funny that only a week ago they were tearing each other’s clothes off. Now, they were using each other’s surnames. “I was just checking on my favorite patient.”
He smiled at Charlie. “Isn’t that a coincidence? She’s my favorite patient too.” Remington tilted his chin to the therapist. “I can take Charlie back to her room.”
Sky decided it would also be an excellent time to give father and daughter some alone time. “Well, I have a couple more patients to see, and then I’m off to my office to complete some paperwork. It’s going to be a long night.” She started to leave.
“Dr. Kirby—” There was a part of Remington that didn’t want her to go. But he knew spending quality alone time with Charlie was imperative. They needed to rebuild their relationship. “I’m in the process of making some rehab arrangements and would love to get your input.”
“That’s fine. I’ll probably be available in a couple of hours and will probably here until seven or eight tonight. Just drop by whenever you have some time.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
“Okay, great.”
They stood staring at each other in awkward silence.
Sky broke eye contact first. “I had better go. See you later, Charlie.” Sky waved as she walked away.
Remington couldn’t tear his eyes away from her until she had left the room.
Charlie wrinkled her nose. “You haven’t dated in a while have you?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Dr. Kirby. If you like her, you should just tell her. I think she might have a thing for you too. Maybe ask her out on a date.”
Remington pushed Charlie toward her room. “What would make you say something like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It could be the goo-goo eyes you were making at each other.”
Remington chuckled. “First, I don’t make goo-goo eyes. And, second, my only concern right now is you.”
Charlie turned serious. “Dr. Kirby said you haven’t really left the hospital since I got here.”
“She said that huh?”
“Yes. Is it true?”
Remington wheeled Charlie into her room, then picked her up out of her chair. She wrapped her arms around his neck. It wasn’t a tight hold but enough for him to want to dance for joy. Remington did his best to keep his emotions intact and gently placed her on her bed. “I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and I’m sorry that I haven’t been around more.”
Charlie wasn’t expecting that—an apology. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she fought them back.
“There isn’t any good excuse for not being there for you like I should have been. However, I want you to know that it wasn’t because I didn’t love you because you own my heart. Stupidly, I thought I was doing what was best for you. Little girls your age need their mothers.”
“That was stupid,” Charlie whispered. “Little girls need our fathers too.”
“Duly noted.” He kissed her on the side of her head.
Her tears started to fall. Remington used the back of his knuckle to wipe each one away.
She touched her forehead to his. “I love you too, Daddy.”
They stayed like that for a while. Then, pulled apart. Nervously, Remington rubbed the back of his neck. “What do you think about living with me for a while?”
She stared at him. “Mom doesn’t want me?”
At that moment, Remington hated Bella and the damage she was doing to Charlie. “It’s not that. Your mother only wants the best for you. She’s just afraid that she won’t be able to give you what you need.”
“I heard you two arguing. I know she gave you physical custody.”
“You heard that?”
“I did. If she would rather be with Kane instead of me then let her. I don’t need her.”
Remington’s heart was in a vice. “You know that’s not true.”
“It is true.” Charlie sighed. “I wish mom were more like Sky.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She’s honest with me. She doesn’t do things that will hurt me or sugarcoat things. Sky treats me like I matter.”
“You do matter. You
