Free Love Is More Than Skin Deep (A Hidden Hearts Novel Book 4) by Mary Crawford Page A

Rogue asked me just a few weeks ago that it gives me pause. I’m a little stunned to realize how much my answers have changed in such a short period of time. There’s just something about cancer that fundamentally changes your definition of what makes you happy. It’s funny, my focus seems to have changed from random things to not-so-random somebodies.

STRESS. I’M AN ATTORNEY FOR Pete’s sake—you would think that I would be used to the concept by now. Apparently, that’s not the case — my nine-year-old daughter who is usually lost in her own world just told me to take a chill pill. The irony of that is not lost on me. I am used to worrying about everything about Ketki. I monitor everything from how much she eats, how much she sleeps, how much she exercises, to how well she does in school. It’s all second nature to me. I’ve had to micromanage my daughter’s life since Tanyanita took off. It’s stress, but manageable.
    The situation with Shelby is a whole different ballgame. I’ve never met somebody like her. I’ve been a lawyer for nearly eight years now and I’ve never wanted to bow out of a case as much as I do now. It’s not even that the case is progressing poorly. We’re doing fairly well—this one might even be winnable. The problem is I can’t be in two places at once. The most ridiculous thing about my dilemma is that even if I could be, I don’t know that Shelby would allow it. I have never seen someone be so sweetly contrary in my life. Shelby used the trial as justification to stay with Rogue and Tristan after her surgery, insisting that she didn’t want to interrupt my workflow and be a bother. She completely blew off any of my counterarguments. I am not exactly sure what to make of that development — usually I’m a little better at this. I rarely get beaten at my own game. It’s an interesting position to be in. Usually as a single attorney in a pretty visible job, I am the pursued. Shelby has put me into the role of a pursuer.  
    At first I wasn’t really sure if Ketki would be okay with that. I haven’t really done much visible dating around her. I didn’t want to be one of those parents who has a new love interest each week. I figured that Ketki might be curious about Shelby, but I didn’t anticipate getting overt pressure from her to pursue a relationship. Then again, I didn’t know Shelby would bond instantly with Ketki. Sadly, a lot of people are uncomfortable around my daughter. When Ketki is upset her movements can become erratic and loud. Although her communication style has improved since she was a small child, it is still atypical and takes a little bit of getting used to.
    My daughter’s unusual style is on full display as she paces anxiously in front of me, her hands fluttering slightly before she stuffs them in her pockets.
    “Dad, we need to get over there. Are you ever gonna get done with that stupid paperwork?”
    I hit the save button on my laptop and close it before I respond. “What’s your hurry, Ki?” I tease as she hops from one foot to the other.
    “I made her peanut butter balls, because the doctor said she had to take her pain medicine with food. She usually takes her pain medicine every six hours if she got up at her usual time, that means she took her pain medicine about 7 o’clock this morning. So, she probably had pain medicine with her lunch too. That means that she needs these peanut butter cookies for her after dinner snack so she doesn’t get sick.”
    Once again, I’m completely blown away by the things that my daughter pays attention to — because sometimes it seems like she doesn’t pay attention to much of anything other than her complete obsession with video games — well, those and feathers and pebbles.  
    “Ketki, I am so impressed that you made Shelby cookies. You know she’s going to love them, peanut butter is her favorite,” I compliment, hoping to reinforce the social behavior.
    Ketki stares at me blankly as if I’ve