Hanna's Awakening by Sue Lyndon Page B

statue.
    “Please leave.” She peeked at him through a few spread fingers.
    “I’m not leaving. Do you want to wear a bulky diaper instead?”
    That did the trick. She buried her face deeper in her hands and bowed her head as she peed.
    “Good girl,” Ben said once she’d finished. He lifted her off the potty and cleaned her up. She didn’t uncover her face the whole time. “Are you going to hide from Daddy all day?”
    She nodded stubbornly.
    “Why?”
    “Be—because I’m ashamed.”
    He pried her hands away from her face and lifted her chin up, forcing her gaze to his. “You have nothing to be ashamed about, Hanna. Daddy likes taking care of you. Now come on. Let’s get these panties back up and get you dressed.”
    She tried to smile through her embarrassment, and her sweet attempt stole his heart a thousand times over. After he got her dressed, he brushed out her hair and led her to the kitchen where he prepared oatmeal and toast. He tucked a napkin into the front of her dress and watched her eat. She picked at her food, and it took a few stern looks to get her to finish.
    “Daddy, may I please have coffee?”
    “Sorry, baby, but little girls can’t have coffee.” He grinned, knowing she was testing him. He’d never seen her drink coffee before.
    She huffed and tried to leave the table, but he leaned forward and caught her hand. “Finish your milk, young lady.”
    “But I am finished. I just don’t want the rest of my milk.”
    He arched an eyebrow and sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you trying to test me, Hanna? I suggest you be a good girl and finish your milk, unless you want to face the consequences.”
    Lady barked outside, and Hanna gazed longingly out the window. She still hadn’t touched her glass.
    “How about this. Finish your milk and then we’ll go on a walk with Lady.”
    She lit up and nodded eagerly. Sunlight streamed through the windows, reflecting off her shiny golden hair as she reached for her cup. The last of her milk disappeared in a few seconds. Ben dabbed her face with a napkin, prompting her cheeks to redden once more.
    “I have a feeling you’ll be blushing a lot today, baby girl.”

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Hanna rubbed her eyes and yawned. She rolled over, glancing at the clock on the nightstand and gasped. She’d napped for two hours in the middle of the afternoon! Smiling guiltily to herself, she recalled how she’d argued with Daddy that she wasn’t sleepy. The walk through the woods with Lady must’ve tired her out more than she’d thought. She stretched and sighed as her bare legs caught the cool spots under the sheets.
    A breeze blew through the window, the curtains dancing to the tune of the wind chimes. Sadness squeezed her heart. If she left with Eli, she’d never wake up to the sound of those wind chimes again. Of course it wasn’t the actual loss of the wind chimes that darkened her spirits.
    Daddy. She’d grown to love him so much she couldn’t breathe when she imagined a future without him. Was it wrong and foolish to give up her dreams of moving so far away from the farm? As far away as Eli had moved? She wiped her tears and wondered about the conversation Daddy had had with Eli while she’d napped. Surely he’d called her brother then, when she wouldn’t have been able to overhear.
    Whatever plan Daddy had, she hoped he realized how much she cared for him. She resolved to work up the courage to tell him today. It had to be today. She loved him with everything inside her. The secrets of his past didn’t affect her love either. It had been an unfortunate accident, and she grieved to know he’d been hurt and alone for so many years.
    The door opened and she sat up in bed, pushing the covers down.
    “Hi, Daddy!” She smiled at him and laced her arms around his neck as he sat beside her. She placed a kiss on his cheek and hugged him tight.
    “Did you sleep well?” The strength of his arms surrounding her made her feel safe