He even remembered something Briony had said to him before—
[Stewart, you can''t even tell if your daughter is throwing a tantrum or just being yful with you.]
So, was his little girl being yful now?
Stewart honestly wasn''t sure.
But he knew he had to try to understand her.
That was what being a father meant.
Looking at his porcin-doll of a daughter, Stewart softened his voice.
"Sweetheart, can Daddy have a hug?"
Little Nina blinked at him, absolutely certain her dad had no clue how to coax a child.
But that was okay-if her dad didn''t know, she''d just have to teach him!
"Daddy, if you want a hug, you''re supposed to tell me I''m cute first."
Stewart took the lesson seriously. "You''re the cutest girl in the world. Now, can Daddy have a hug?"
"Of course!" Little Nina spread her arms wide, generous as ever.
A flicker of surprise lit up Stewart''s dark eyes. Was this really all it took to make her happy?
He reached out and pulled his daughter onto hisp.
Little Nina settled in, her tiny nose twitching. Was that a faint smell of medicine on Daddy''s clothes?
The Ellsworth family''s clinic always brewed herbal remedies for their patients— this scent was a little like that, wasn''t it?
"Daddy, are you taking medicine?" she asked.
Stewart hadn''t expected her nose to be so sharp. He kept hisposure and made up a gentle lie. "Daddy''s got a sore throat, so I''m taking some medicine to help."
"Oh." Little Nina knew grown-ups took medicine when they were sick, so she
didn''t think much of it. Her eyes darted around before she asked, "Daddy, can you take me to preschool on Monday?"
Stewart was a bit surprised. "Why do you suddenly want me to take you to preschool?"
"Because Daisy''s dad takes her to preschool every day. I''m not jealous, but I told her my daddy is way more handsome than hers. She didn''t believe me—she even said I didn''t really have a daddy at all!"
Stewart pressed his lips together, thinking for a moment. "But your godfather takes you most days, doesn''t he?"
"Yeah, but a godfather is a godfather, and a daddy is a daddy. Even the little kids at preschool know the difference!"
Stewart: "..."
"Please, Daddy? Just once?"
Stewart knew all too well it wasn''t a good idea to show up at such public ces with his children. The weekend was already a rare treat for them to spend time together He couldn''t ask for more.
"Daddy''s really busy right now, sweetheart Except for weekends, I don''t have much free time." Stewart looked into Little Nina''s eyes. "But if you wait a little longer, I
ve
promise-once Daddy finishes his work, I''ll take you to preschool myself. How does that sound?"
Little Nina looked a little disappointed, but she didn''t throw a fit. She understood grown-ups had their own work to do.
"I''m a very reasonable kid!" sheforted herself. "If Daddy''s busy, I can wait. But don''t forget, Daddy—I''II only be in preschool for three years. You can''t make me wait longer than that!"
Stewart''s heart melted; his nose stung with emotion.
How did he deserve such a thoughtful daughter?
He lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair.
"All right, sweetheart. I promise you won''t have to wait too long."
Just then, Carol came out, carrying little Mario after his bath.
"Mr. Wentworth."
Carol set Mario down on the bed.
"Thank you, Carol. You should get some rest. I''ll take care of them tonight," Stewart said in his gentle way.
Carol didn''t want to intrude on this rare family time.
"Of course, sir. If you need anything, just call."
Once Carol left, Stewart looked at his two children, feeling a gentle warmth
blossom in his chest.
"What story do you want to hear tonight?" he asked.
Little Nina shot her hand up. "I want a fairy tale!"
Stewart looked at little Mario. "What about you, Mario?"
"Little Nina doesn''t get to hear you read as often, Daddy. You should read her favorite tonight."
Stewart affectionately ruffled his son''s hair. "Good boy, looking out for your sister." Little Nina puffed up her cheeks, not to be outdone. "But I''m the big sister!"