CHAPTER 37

CHRISTIAN

Whispers… I could hear whispers as I woke, drowsy and warm—almost too warm. I was surrounded by heat and something that smelled enticingly good. My pillow tickled my face and I twitched my nose, trying to ease the itch, burrowing deeper into the welcome softness. My pillow giggled a little, and the whispers started again. I forced open my eyes. The light was dull, the skies looked heavy and dull, like it was going to rain. I lifted my head and met the amused gaze of Mia, who was sitting on the floor beside the bed, coffee cup in hand, and Valerie, who was giggling beside her with hair standing in every direction and a sippy cup filled with milk in her hands.

“Daddy’s up!” Valerie exclaimed as she saw my open eyes. Then in a lower voice, “Haze still sleep sleep.”

“Good morning,” Mia said with a smirk.

“Were you that scared that you had to hide in here?” I asked with a small frown.

“I came to get Hazel, but she’s still asleep and she wouldn’t be able to escape your clutches an