Last night, she’d retreated but she hadn’t kicked him out. And she very well could’ve. There was no longer a physical threat to her or Faith. He didn’t need to be there to protect them. Yet, she hadn’t tossed his ass out uncaring he’d promised Faith he wouldn’t leave. He had no right to Faith; Charleigh was her mom, and if she didn’t want Holden around, she would’ve made that happen. Yet, she hadn’t. But even if she had, he wouldn’t go far. He’d sleep in his SUV in the driveway if he had to.
“But I don’t want to.” Faith’s voice pitched high on the last word and Holden frowned.
He hadn’t been around the little girl a lot—in truth he’d made an art of avoidance—but he’d never heard her argue or even raise her voice.
Once he hit the foyer, his gaze landed on mother and daughter standing off.
“What’s going on?”
Faith rushed to him, hitting him with all her weight, then wrapped her arms around his middle and held on tight.
“I don’t want to go to school.”
“Why not? You told me you like school.”
“I’m not going,” she said defiantly.
“Sweetheart, you have to go,” Charleigh tried, her face a mask of concern.
It took more effort than Holden had anticipated to pry Faith off of him so he could kneel in front of her.
“Why don’t you want to go to school, doll?”
Faith shook her head.
“Are you scared?”
She nodded.
“Of what?”
That got Holden a shrug.
“I can’t help you with what you’re afraid of if you don’t tell me.”
Charleigh moved close to her daughter and Holden looked up as she placed her hand on Faith’s shoulder.
Something profound slammed into him. An emotion he wasn’t ready to give over to yet. A feeling that was huge and wanted. This was what it would be like if they were a family. Holden and Charleigh bracketing Faith between them, keeping her safe. Together as a team. That right there was what he’d always wanted. It didn’t matter that Faith was not his blood, he’d still bleed for her. It didn’t matter he didn’t share DNA with the little girl, he’d still teach her and guide her. And if she allowed him to, he’d show her love and affection.
But first, before he could execute his plan to win his family, he needed to see to Faith.
“Faith, honey, no one’s going to hurt you.” Charleigh broke the long stretch of silence.
“I know. Holden told me they were in jail.”
“Then why are you scared?” Holden inquired.
Faith’s eyes lifted to meet his. Holden held his breath to stave off the discomfort that had bloomed in his chest. Those eyes. Big, brown, puppy dog eyes that, praise be to all things holy, were not blue like Paul’s. Instead, rich and sweet and made Holden want to melt when she looked at him.
“Honey—”
“I don’t want you to leave,” Faith blurted out.
“I’m not going to leave,” Holden assured her.
“You’re gonna leave,” she proclaimed.
“Doll, I’m going to go to work while you’re in school, but I’ll come back over when you get home.”
Charleigh made what Holden was now deeming her signature disgruntled noise—a cross between a grunt and a choking sound.
“If you go to work, then Mom will be alone.”
Holden finally got it, and when he did, he didn’t stop the broad smile that pulled at his mouth.
“So, you’re worried about your mom.” Holden waited for Faith to nod, then he continued. “She won’t be alone, doll, she’ll be going to work with me today.”
“What?” Charleigh’s voice pitched much like her daughter’s had earlier and that made Holden smile bigger.
Damn, she’s cute.
“Jonny texted me. He needs to talk to you. I told him I’d bring you into the office with me.”
“I have work to do,” she protested.
Holden didn’t take his eyes off Faith because now that he’d opened himself up to the little girl he couldn’t stop looking at her. He wanted to soak up her features, he wanted to learn all of her tells, he wanted her to know she could depend on him.
“You can use my office,” he told Charleigh.
“I have appointments.”
“Then after you talk to Jonny, I’ll take you to them.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard, Holden.”
“You’re right, but if it makes Faith feel better, you’re getting one.”
There it was again, Charleigh humphed and Faith smiled.
“She hasn’t had coffee yet,” Faith whispered conspiratorially.
“Well, that explains a lot.”
“You both remember I’m standing right here, right?” she snapped and Faith giggled.
“Yeah, baby, there’s no way to miss the pre-coffee grumpy Charleigh.”
Holden winked and told Faith, “You get ready for school and I’ll get your mom coffee.”
“You promise you’ll be here after school?”
“Promise.”
Faith looked over her shoulder at Charleigh and nodded. “I’ll go to school.”
He wasn’t sure if Charleigh was praying for patience, fighting an eye roll, or planning to murder him as soon as Faith left the room. What he did know was, she was the picture of natural beauty. Further, he knew he was going to catch shit for making more promises to Faith. Which he intended to keep doing indefinitely. Each day, he’d make a new promise to stay until it was simply a given he wasn’t leaving.
He needed to sort his Airstream and find a house to rent. A nice place with a yard for Faith. And a dog. Jameson had mentioned how much Faith loved Tank.
