He groaned and lay on his back, running his hand over his face.
“It is. Isn’t it? Your name is Jeremiah. Why wouldn’t you tell me that?”
“Because I hate the name,” he muttered.
“Wait. You’ve got the same name as my first teddy. My Aunt Rose sent him to look after me. I wonder if she sent you too.”
He stared up at her as she leaned up on one elbow beside him. “You’re my guardian angel.”
“I might be your guardian, but I’m certainly no angel.” He reached up and brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “Your Aunt Rose is your guardian angel. I’m the man who loves you, the daddy who adores you, and I’m going to look after you the way she would have wanted me too.”
She snuggled against him. “I’m not so sure she would approve of the spanking.”
He grinned. “Oh, I don’t know. I think she’d definitely approve.”
He ran his hand up and down her back. “I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” She sent a quick thanks up to Aunt Rose for sending Ellie her very own Daddy Bear.