Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“But what if it’s not the right one?”
“Why are you agonizing over your fashion choices at five years old?” I ask her in return. “It’s kindergarten, sweetheart, not a fashion show.”
“I want to be cute,” she emphasizes.
“You would be adorable in a burlap sack,” I inform her, and she turns to scrunch her nose at me.
“What’s that?”
“Never mind. The point is, no matter what you wear, you’ll look great. So, you should be comfortable because you’re going to be gone all day. You understand that, right? I’m going to drop you off at your class with Miss Lexington, and then I have to leave, and you’ll be there with her and the other kids until later this afternoon.”
“Yeah.” Her voice is kind of small, and it makes my stomach jitter. “I know.”
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” I rush to remind her. “And you’ll make so many friends by the end of the day.”
“Maybe.”
I tie off the second braid, and then I turn her to me and take her shoulders in my hands. “It is going to be fun. You’re such a great kid, peanut. You don’t have any problems making friends, and you already know Miss Lexington.”
“Why can’t I call her Dani?”
“Because it’s school, and you have to be respectful and call her Miss Lexington, unless she says otherwise.”
“That’s weird. Okay, I’ll wear the blue dress.” But before she runs to her room, she hugs me. “What will you do without me, Daddy?”
I grin and fold my arms around her, holding her close. My girl has the biggest heart, and I don’t want her worrying about me. “I’ll be just fine, and I’ll see you this afternoon and you can tell me all about it. I’ll want to hear every detail, so take lots of notes.”
“I can’t write yet.”
“Oh, right. Well, then just remember everything and tell me later, okay?”
She grins and nods and then seems happy to go get dressed.
What will I do? I’ll be stressing the fuck out, that’s what.
My baby is going to school, and I’m not okay. What if someone’s mean to her? What if some kid makes her feel like shit? What if she has an asthma attack or gets suddenly tired the way she used to? I hate that I won’t be there to watch over her and keep her safe.
But, less than thirty minutes later, we’re in my truck, parking in the elementary school lot. For the first day, I get to escort Birdie to her classroom, but after today, I’ll drop her off in the drop-off line.
“I’ll carry it,” Birdie says when I pull her backpack out of the truck, and I help her put it on her shoulders before taking her hand and walking into the building with her.
This elementary school hasn’t changed much since I went here a million years ago. Before long, we step inside Dani’s classroom, and Birdie gasps with happiness.
Dani’s gone with a unicorn theme this year, and it’s bright and cheerful and as welcoming as the woman herself.
“Birdie.” Dani crosses to us and accepts Birdie’s hug, then smiles up at me. “Welcome to your first day. Are you excited?”
“Yes. Do I really have to call you Miss Lexinson?”
Dani laughs and tugs lightly at the end of my daughter’s braid. God, her smile lights me up inside. “No, you can call me Miss Dani. Lexington is a mouthful, isn’t it?”
“Kind of,” Birdie says with a giggle.
“Okay, I’m going to show you where to stow your stuff and where your desk is.” Dani turns to me. “Do you have any questions, Dad?”
“Her medications and stuff.”
“I’ve read her case file, and I know that everything is on hand for her at the office,” Dani assures me. “I have her rescue inhaler locked in my desk, just in case, and I know to call you if she has to use it so you can decide if you’d like to come get her.”
I nod, relieved that Dani read everything thoroughly. “Thanks.”
I shuffle my feet, not wanting to leave my baby, and Dani’s face softens as she squats by my daughter. She looks hot as hell in her black pencil skirt and white blouse. She’s not even trying to look like a seductress, and yet, she does.
“Birdie, your desk is right there, next to Callie. Why don’t you go ahead and have a seat, okay?”
“Okay.” First, Birdie throws her arms around my legs. “Bye, Daddy!”
And then she’s off, and I suddenly feel…emotional.
“Hey,” Dani says softly. She doesn’t touch me, but I can tell that she wants to, and damn it, I want her to. “She’s going to be great, Bridger. I’m right here, and I won’t let anything happen to her. I have your baby. Now, you go so she can settle in and get comfortable without you.”
I blow out a breath, grateful for her words. “Yeah, okay. Seriously, call me if you need anything.”