“Okay! I’ll be right there.”
I need to get my daughter situated and then I’m gonna ask my girl for a favor.
Hell, I’m gonna beg my girl.
Charlie chatters the whole way down the mountain until we hit Wildwood and then she stops talking. My eyes dart over to her and she’s chewing on her lip.
“What’s going on, Charlie?”
“You love Aspen, don’t you?”
My hand jerks and I almost take out old Mrs. Jacobs walking down the street. She glares at me and I shoot her a stiff smile.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I can see it. You’ve never looked at any woman the way you look at her.”
Nodding my head, I try to figure out what the hell to tell my daughter. I don’t want to get her hopes up. Maybe Aspen isn’t interested in me and it won’t work out. I don’t want her to be disappointed.
Like she knows exactly what’s running through my mind, she glances over at me. “She likes you too.”
And like the world’s biggest idiot, I ask, “How do you know that?”
“Because she can’t stop peeking at you. Whenever you’re not looking she’s peeking at you.”
Hope blossoms like a flower through the snow, fighting to find its way to the light.
“You think?”
She rolls her blue eyes and I can’t help but grin. My daughter has no patience for idiots.
“Yeah. I think.” She pauses and chews her lips again. “Do you have any idea what to do to get her to spend more time with you?”
“I think I do.” I nod my head and she glances over, unconvinced.
“So why don’t you tell me so I can tell you if it’s a good idea or no?”
I smirk at her. “Nope. Sorry. This one is going to be all me.”
“Dad,” she grumbles as we pull up to the library. Sarah’s waiting outside and she waves wildly, grinning.
“You’ve got something to take care of right now. Trust me. I’ve got the best idea. She won’t be able to resist.”
“Fine,” she huffs. “But you better not mess this up, Dad. This might be your last shot at finding a wife. You’re not getting any younger.” And then my pint-size tormentor steps out of the car and slams the door at me, shooting me a glare through the window.
Shaking my head, I chuckle and head back home. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to handle it when my daughter hits her teenage years. She’s sweet and pretty but with a bite that’s going to attract the boys like bees to honey.
Which is a terrifying thought.
Shaking my body like I’m shaking water off my back, I focus on just how I’m going to attract Aspen’s attention and get her help for my brilliant idea.
I don’t bother going to my house, instead pulling in at Aspen’s little cottage. It’s an adorable little house with flowers in window boxes and a bright blue door that screams bright and happy, just like her sweet, sweet smile.
Jogging up the dirt path to her door, I reach out and rap quickly. One, two, three.
I pause and wait but hear nothing. My hand reaches out and I turn the doorknob, worry tugging at me.
What if she’s hurt inside and she can’t get to her phone? What if she’s…
