Chapter Nine
Grizz used to hold Patty's hand all the time when she was still in pigtails. Back then, her small, chubby hand wouldn't span his large palm. He'd engulfed her, holding her delicately but securely. The security was more for him than her.
She’d gotten lost once at a county fair. Because she’d gone off and looked at the array of stuffed animals instead of following behind him. When he’d found her ten minutes later, his heart never regained its slow rhythmic beating. From that day forward, it had always sped up a bit whenever her hand wasn’t in his.
Grizz’s entire world slowed now that Patty’s hand was back in his grasp. She still didn’t span his entire palm. But he felt her touch span his entire being.
Her palm pressed into his, and he felt swallowed. Her fingers laced with h
