Malachi pulled back completely, feeling disappointed. He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help it. He was only a man after all. But his daughter came first. His daughter always came first.
Standing up, he reached down and ran his fingers across her cheek. "You can stay a little while longer if you want. We'll be there when you're ready. We aren't going anywhere," he said as if it was a promise. Pulling his hand back, he turned and headed back to Evie.