The Single Dad (The Dalton Family #3)(100)

I led her a few paces into the ocean, so the waves crashed against our shins.

My arm rested across her shoulders, hers wrapped around my waist as we walked. The height difference allowed me to press my lips into the top of her head.

Inhaling her.

Kissing her.

“Paradise,” she said softly, her sound almost getting carried into the wind. “I can’t believe we have another week here.” She gazed up at me, smiling. “At first, I thought two weeks was a little much to be away from our girl. But you’re right; Bali can’t be done in just seven days.”

I stopped moving, positioning her right where I needed her to be, and I held her chin, tilting it up.

Lost in her eyes.

Her presence.

And then I kissed her.

Just briefly.

My lips brushing hers, my hand holding her steady.

And when I pulled my mouth away, I glanced over Sydney’s shoulder, making sure she didn’t see what I did.

The plan I’d put in place.

The one I wanted to keep as a surprise for just a few more seconds.

Holding her face with both hands, I said, “What if I told you we’re only going to spend a few more days here, and then we’re going to fly to Sydney and on to Melbourne and a stop in Auckland before heading home?”

“Are you serious?”

I nodded.

“Then, there’s no way we’ll only be gone for another week.”

I grinned. “No …” I gnawed on her bottom lip before I released it to say, “It’ll be closer to three weeks total.”

She sucked in a breath. “Ford, that would be so incredible, like beyond words.”

As she paused, I waved my hand behind Sydney’s back, giving the signal. “But …” I said to her.

She continued to gaze at me, her chest rising as she said, “But what about Everly—”

“Syd! Daaaddy,” I heard Everly shout.

Sydney processed the sound, and she turned around to where Everly was running down the beach.

“Oh my God,” Sydney sang as Eve got closer.

My baby, all grown up in my eyes, was dressed in a pink bathing suit and a straw hat, looking so mature and still adorable.

An outfit I was sure Jo and Kendall had picked out.

“What are you doing here?” Sydney said as Everly fell into her arms.

I rubbed Everly’s back, hugging the both of them against my chest.

“I came with Uncle D and Uncle Jenner.”

“You did?” Sydney asked, looking at me.

“She sure did,” I said to Sydney.

I pulled Sydney’s face closer and kissed her.

“Did you plan this?” she asked the second we separated.

I didn’t answer.

I just shifted my eyes to my daughter and said, “Everly, I think you have something you want to say to Sydney, don’t you?”

She nodded so hard that her hat almost fell off. But she held it on tightly and said, “Syd, Daddy and I want you to be our ever and ever.”

She held out her hand, and a diamond ring was on her thumb.

One that had taken weeks to design.

I’d wanted it to be everything I imagined for my future wife, everything that resembled Sydney’s personality.

The round stone was surrounded by two diamonds.

My Everly and I came as a pair.

Sydney’s fingers went over her mouth, her eyes wide and teary as she looked at me.

She hadn’t realized I’d gotten on my knee.

That I was holding out my hand.

That I was asking, “Be my wife?”

“And my mommy,” Everly chimed in.

I slipped my other arm around Everly, glancing at my daughter as I added, “Be ours.”

I took the ring from Everly, and I positioned it over Sydney’s finger.

Waiting.

It took only seconds for Sydney to reply, “Yes.” Once the ring was on her finger, she bent down and threw her arms around us. “Forever and ever.”

Interested in reading the other books in the Dalton Family Series …

The Lawyer

The Billionaire

The Intern

The Bachelor

Or check out Signed, which stars Brett Young





Acknowledgments





Nina Grinstead, every time I reach this section, it’s hard for me to put into words what our journey has looked like over the last few months. Each book is so different, each process unlike the previous. This one is definitely no exception. You helped me overcome my fears. You held me when I wasn’t sure I could go on. And you pushed me to reach goals and dreams I never thought were ever possible. We’re in this together until the very end—and I’m talking about walkers, not words. Love you doesn’t even come close to cutting it. Team B forever.

Jovana Shirley, there are very few people in my life who I could hand my child to and know that when it returns to me, it’s going to be better than before. There are very few people who understand the creative process and how our minds work. And there are very few people who can help you polish your craft by showing rather than telling. But, Jovana, that’s you. You’ve made me a better writer, you’ve encouraged me to tap into creative places I didn’t know existed, and you’ve guided me in ways I’ll always be grateful for. I’m never doing this without you. Never, ever. Love you so, so hard.