His family had enough money to live in luxury for more than a lifetime, but they were Cades. The kitty could be a penny, and he and his brothers would fight to the death to claim it. No challenge was too small.
Hunt repeated his name again, despite Harlow batting him across the head every time he did it, laughing.
“That’s cheating.”
Hunt glanced up to see Kaylee standing there with her hands on her hips.
He focused back on Harlow. “It’s not cheating. I need to make sure she practices.”
Kaylee smiled at Harlow—and stole her from Hunt’s arms.
Dammit. It was hard as hell to get in Harlow time when his siblings, or her mother, were around. Which was always.
Kaylee propped Harlow on her hip. “Stop harassing my baby,” she said, and gave him a look.
Every last one of his brothers had settled down, the idiots. And, of course, they had to choose strong women who gave Hunt a hard time, just like his brothers. Which only meant Hunt had to sneak in his Harlow training when Kaylee wasn’t around.
“Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Kaylee.” He sent her his most charming smile. Only it hadn’t worked with Abby. She’d been a bizarre exception he hoped wouldn’t become the norm.
Kaylee glared. “That dimpled grin won’t work on me. Your brother has hardened me to Cade charm.”
Hunt sighed. “What has he done now?”
Kaylee kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Wes hasn’t done anything. Yet. But I’ve learned to stay on my toes around that man.”
“Wes would do anything for you.”
Kaylee blew a lock of dark hair out of her eye and shifted her daughter to the other hip. “Damn straight, after what he put me through before we got married.”
No argument there. Wes had ruined his relationship with Kaylee when they’d dated in college, and he nearly did it again years later the second time around. Fortunately for Wes, he’d gotten his shit together and made Kaylee his priority. And Harlow. Hunt never thought he’d see the day, but his brother doted on his little girl and was an excellent father.
Hunt reached out to tickle Harlow’s belly and mouthed his name, hoping Kaylee was too busy motioning for one of the Club Kids attendants to notice.
Quick as a rattlesnake, Kaylee slapped his hand away. “Did you come here to try my patience, or was there a purpose to your visit?”
Damn, she was quick. “I came to check on the kids and see if you needed help. I’ve got the last couple of hours free.”
Kaylee’s shoulders sank. “That’s more like it. Yes, I need help. This place has doubled in size since I went on maternity leave. We’re bursting at the seams. My first priority is to hire more attendants. In the meantime, do you mind helping Brin watch the kids? And keep an eye on the older ones. Some of them can get rough.”
Hunt rolled his eyes. “Wes ever tell you about our childhood? We defined rough play.”
Kaylee’s lips pursed. “Good point. Okay, have at it. Brin is lining the children up by the door while I put together a craft project for the little ones.”
He notched his head at Harlow. “I can take her with me if you need your arms free.”
“No! Now get out of here before you brainwash my daughter.”
Hunt chuckled and followed the kids out the door, making sure to grab the tug-of-war rope.
An hour later, ice cream won by the kids after the horde of them pummeled Hunt and Brin in tug-of-war, Hunt was hunched in the sand, creating a sandcastle masterpiece.
“Noah,” Hunt said. “Our castle needs a flag. Gotta let everyone know who owns it.”
Noah scrunched his face. “How do I make a flag? We don’t have paper and crayons out here.”
“We have something better,” Hunt said. “Grab one of the buffing rags I left on the dock this afternoon. Make sure to get one that has the Club Tahoe emblem. Also, look for a nice, straight stick on your way.”
Noah smiled and jumped up with the energy only a five-year-old had.
