The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 90

Chapter

90

Mast parents seemed to prefer their daughters taking up pretty and elegant skills like dancing or playing the piano, and Willow wondered if Zane was the same. Did he think martial arts was too rough or inappropriate for a little girl? Disappointment filled Willow, and whatever light had filled her eyes carlier dimmed out.

"Of course not," Zane quickly said. "I'm happy about it.

Willow gaped at him, and he explained without prompting, "Once you learn martial arts, you can defend yourself even when I'm not around you. Why wouldn't I be happy about that?

Willow was so overwhelmed that she cupped his face and planted kisses all over it. "You're the best, Daddy!"

"Now, here comes the problem," Zane said. "Do you want to hire an instructor for private lessons at home, public class?"

or

do you want to attend a

two options, Willow turned to look

might make new friends your age and find that you enjoy others' company. But private lessons are more tailored toward your

didn't like

to oblige with his daughter's

and realized it was already 8:00 pm. He called his secretary, Eric, and had him look around for a professional martial arts instructor to give Willow

than ten minutes after he got off the call with Zane. He reported dutifully, The instructor has won the national martial arts championship on several occasions and

of candidate. "Have him drop by the house tomorrow evening at seven to give

lesson."

"Yes, sir," Eric replied.

set his phone down on the desk. Crouching to meet Willow's gaze, he said, "Now that you've decided to pick up martial arts for self-defense, you have to train for at least two hours each day after school, okay?" Willow was about to complain about the long hours when she thought about the benefits of

She nodded in agreement.

pinched her cheek. "That's my

was so pleased about it that she

had work to get back to, so he said, "Willow, why don't you and Mommy go downstairs to play for

"Okay!"

!