Chapter Eight
She’d been there over a week, and they’d gotten into a nice day-to-day routine.
When he got home that day, she was sitting on the sofa reading when he walked into the apartment with his hands behind his back. He was letting her stay in the apartment by herself now that she was calming down.
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously.
“I’ve got a surprise.”
Her eyes widened. “For me?”
He snorted. “Who else?”
She put the book down and got to her knees in excitement. “Can I see it?”
“Patience, baby.” He rolled his eyes. “Why are you tearing up? This is a good thing.”
“It’s just I’ve never had a gift or a surprise before.” She could tell that affected him when the muscle in his jaw ticked on the side of his face.
He handed it to her, and her mouth dropped open as she stared at the box. She couldn’t believe her eyes. “Is this … really mine?”
“Yes, baby. Riley helped me pick it out. It’s an American Girl doll. Can you see it looks like you?”
She nodded. She was too overcome with emotions to talk at the moment. “I talked to her today, and she didn’t even give me a hint.”
He started to look worried when she stared at it. “Baby, if you don’t like it, we’ll get another one.”
She shook her head, and tears started to roll down her face. “I love it.” She hugged the box tightly. “I will never get another gift as good as this one.”
He chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Besides the crying part, I found I enjoy surprising you. It may become a habit.”
She giggled and shook her head. “This is amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She flew into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You’re very welcome. Aren’t you going to open it?”
She slid back and started to open the box. He had to help her with untying it from the cardboard, but then it was standing on her knees.
She couldn’t get over how wonderful it was and how much it looked like her.
“There’s a book that goes with her. I guess it tells you about her.”
Sienna placed the doll in her lap and read through the book. The doll wasn’t of Latino heritage because they rarely had blonde hair like hers, but this one did resemble her so much it was eerie.
“She’s amazing.”
“Riley has something for her. Don’t ask me what they are because I have no idea.”
“That’s okay. I’m so happy with this.”
“I’m going to start dinner.”
“Wait.” Sienna stood and set the doll carefully on the sofa. “I can cook. You’ve worked all day.”
He grinned. “Sitting at a desk isn’t too strenuous.”
“Still, I’d like to help out.”
“All right. I’ll have you cut potatoes into little cubes, and then we’ll boil them.” He pulled a pan out of the cupboard. “While you’re doing that, I’m going to start the pork chops.”
She nodded, excited to be doing something. The potatoes were put on the stove in the water, and the chops were in the oven.
He held out a hand to her. “Let’s go sit down. It will take a while.”
Sienna sat back down and picked up her doll. “Have you found out anything about Hector?” she asked.
“Just the basics. His arrest record and other things he’s been involved in.”
“I don’t think I want to know what he does.”
Kane grinned. “You don’t have to know. Tell me about your childhood,” he said.
She glanced up at him. That was the last thing she wanted to talk about. “I never knew who my father was. Supposedly, he died in a gang fight, but realistically, I think it’s more my mom doesn’t know which man fathered me.”
“I’m sorry.”