“I’m here ‘cause I need to feel better, too,” Indigo said. Theo blinked in surprise.

“You do?” Ashley asked her.

“I’m scared of lots of things. Those things stay away when I’m here. I feel safe at the barn.”

“Oh, my blue bird.” Theo stood up and walked toward the bed. Indigo stood, too, and climbed into Theo’s arms. They held tight to one another, and Theo rained kisses on the side of the little girl’s face.

Jupiter heard the sound of the garage door opening. He perked his ears up and tilted his head.

“He hears Jordan,” Indigo announced.

“What do you think he brought home today?”

Ashley watched the two of them. “I hope it’s more of that coconut cashew butter from his mom’s shop. I could live on that and your homemade bread.”

“Honey,” Jordan called. “I’m home.”

Indigo didn’t know why Theo found this funny, but she smiled when Theo chuckled.

“We’re in Ashley’s room,” she called back.

“Good. I brought you something.”

“Please let it be butter,” Ashley said.

She expected to see Jordan walk through the door. Instead, a man a few inches shorter than Jordan with a nearly buzzed head and a short but full beard stepped inside.

Ashley’s eyes grew wide. “Daddy!”

“Hi there, little bee,” the man said, moving toward the bed.

“Jupiter, down,” Theo commanded gently.

Jupiter did as he was told. He was inquisitive towards this new visitor, but there was no tension in his body. It was obvious that he didn’t sense any danger.

The man took Jupiter’s spot on the bed and gathered his daughter in his arms. Instantly, Ashley was a mess of emotion, and Theo felt like they were intruding on a personal moment. She still held Indigo, and she moved toward the door, wanting to give Ashley and her dad some privacy.

“I’m going to make a phone call,” Jordan said, making his exit.

“And Indie and I are going to go and see to dinner,” Theo said, smiling as she moved toward the door.

“Wait,” Ashley called. “Don’t go.” She reached for the tissue box that sat on the bedside table. Her dad grabbed the box for her and set it in her lap. She sopped up the tears that were on her face and blew her nose. “Theo, Indigo, I’d like you to meet my dad, Hayes Burgess.”

“Please, don’t get up,” Theo told him with a smile. She offered him a hand and he took it, squeezing it instead of giving it a shake.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, little lady,” Hayes said, giving her a warm smile.

“I can only imagine the sorts of things your daughter has said about me.”

“Oh, she’s said plenty, but I heard most of what I know from your fiancé. It’s a three-hour ride from the airport to your home here. I asked about a million questions, and Jordan was kind enough to oblige me.”

“He’s definitely one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Theo agreed.

“And I know a little something about you, too,” Hayes told Indigo.

“You do?” She looked surprised.

“I heard that your favorite color is rainbow. Is that true?”

Indigo grinned and gave him a nod. “It is.”

“That is one of the most fascinating things I think I’ve ever heard. I also learned that you like to watch hockey.”

“I don’t like it,” Indigo told him, “I love it. I want to learn how to play.”

“Well, you probably already know this, but it sounds to me like Jordan plans to teach you.”

“I did know that.”

Hayes laughed and Theo liked the deep rumbling sound.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Ashley said, still wiping tears from her eyes.

“Well, when Theodora called me and told me what had happened, I sat down and had a talk with Celeste. We had plans to go to Corpus Christi to spend Christmas with her youngest. We packed ourselves up and headed to the airport. She hopped on a plane and headed down there. I got an another one and came up here to see you. And don’t go stressin’ out about the cost of flights. You already know I didn’t spend one red cent to get myself here.” He nudged Theo with an elbow. “One of the perks of bein’ married to an airline employee.” He turned to look at his daughter again. “Celeste wanted to come with me, but I thought maybe it was best under the circumstances that I make this trip on my own. She’s thinking about you, though, and she told me to give you plenty of hugs and kisses for her.”

“She really is a sweet woman,” Ashley said, pulling more tissues from the box. “But how is this going to work? I don’t want you to spend money on a room.”

“He’s going to stay right here,” Theo replied. “There’s a twin bed downstairs. I figure without the head and footboards we’ll get it to fit in here with you. It might be a bit tight, but if I eyed it correctly, I think there will still be plenty of room for your wheelchair to move around.”

“You mind bunking with your old man?”

“I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

“How do you feel about animals?” Theo asked. “I know you said you weren’t allergic, but that doesn’t mean you like cohabitating.”

“Oh, I’m just fine,” Hayes assured her. “I’ve got no problem at all with pets.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Jupiter here has been rather protective of Ashley. I think it would break his heart if he wasn’t allowed to come in and check on her.”

“Caleb’s on his way over,” Jordan said, poking his head back inside the room. “He’s going to help me move the mattress, the box springs and the stand up here.”

“Great,” Theo said with a nod.

“I think it will only cost you a few cookies.”

“Did I hear you say cookies?” Hayes raised his brows inquisitively.

“Are you hungry?” Theo asked. “Come into the kitchen. We’ll get you taken care of.”