“You’re bringing Ms. Hart? You think it’s a good idea for her to see it?”
He lifted his gaze to Kendall’s. “It’s her choice, but I doubt she’ll let me leave without her.”
“Be here at nine.” With that, the detective disconnected.
“We’re to be at the police station at nine, but if you don’t want to watch the video, no one would blame you.”
She shook her head, determination shining in her eyes. “I need to see it.”
“Thought you’d say that.” He signed the receipt, then put his credit card in his wallet. “You ready to go? I’d like to see Olivia’s baby book.” What he didn’t tell her was that as soon as he’d seen the photo of his little girl, he’d been an instant goner, and the thought of his daughter crying, begging for her mother made him want to tear the town apart with his bare hands until he found her.
There was no fear inside him that he’d be anything like his father. No fear that he’d treat Olivia the way their father had treated him and Emmie. If anything, from a young age, he’dstepped up and been a father to his sister in a way his father had never been. Emmie had taught him what little girls needed, and now, he would thank her for that. As soon as they had Olivia back, he’d call his sister and tell her she was an aunt.
Was she ever going to be surprised.
Chapter 5
While Cooper turned the pages of Olivia’s baby book, Kendall couldn’t take her eyes off him. It wasn’t just because he was gorgeous to look at. He so was, but it was more that the emotion in his eyes and the soft expression on his face as he took his time to absorb each memory captured in the book tugged at her heart. His brows furrowed slightly at the sight of Olivia’s first steps, then on the next page, a small chuckle escaped him as he read about her first word.
“Mine?” He glanced up at her. “I always thoughtMamawas a baby’s first word.”
“She said that when I tried to take a cookie that was a slobbery mess away from her.”
“That’s my girl.” He went back to paging through the baby book. There was so much tenderness in his touch as he traced the outlines of tiny footprints and handprints left on the pages. He glanced up and caught her staring at him, a soft smile playing on his lips that made her stomach flutter. “She’s lucky to have you as her mom.”
“I think it’s more like I’m the lucky one. I need her back, Cooper.” Tears swelled in her eyes again as she thought of her little girl out there somewhere in the dark, wondering why her mommy didn’t come get her.
He closed the book and set it on the coffee table. “I think you need a hug. Come here.”
She hesitated a moment. Although they’d once been as intimate as possible, he was a stranger. Was it weird to want the hug he was offering, one she really needed?
Maybe so, but he was Livie’s father, and she thought he might need a hug as much as she did. She scooted over and Cooper tucked her against his side. She’d known he was a nice man from their one night together. That night, he’d been a lot of things; sweet, considerate, and had confirmed her consent even after they were in his hotel room, where it had to be obvious she was agreeable with being there.
He’d shown her he was a man who could be trusted, and that meant everything when it came to her little girl. The way he’d stared at the photos of Olivia in her baby book and the album she’d brought out, she was sure he was already in love with the daughter he’d not yet met. Unless he was an amazing actor, Livie was going to have a wonderful father.
“Tell me about Olivia… Livie. Is it all right if I use her nickname?”
See, considerate. “Of course. It’s Olivia if she’s in trouble.”
“And is she in trouble a lot?”
“No. She’s actually pretty well behaved, but she does have her moments. She can be impatient when she wants something. She laughs a lot. Thinks the silliest things are funny.”
“Like what?”
“Silly jokes, kid movies like theMinions… She’ll laugh hysterically at them.”
“Well, theMinionsare funny.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll wait to hear you say that again after you watched them ad nauseam. She really wants a dog, but we’re gone all day, so it’s just not feasible.”
“I have a dog. Maybe the two of you can visit me sometimes and she can play with Ruby.”
“She’d love that.” What was Livie doing right now? Was whoever had taken her at least taking care of her? Feeding her? “I feel like we should be out looking for her.”
“If we had any idea where to search, believe me, we’d be doing that.” He twirled a lock of her hair around his fingers, something she didn’t think he realized he was doing.
“Why were you in the bar that night?” She’d felt back then that he’d been a bit sad, and she’d always wondered when she thought of him if she was right.