A smile landed on her lips. “No debt. I like that, too.”
I took a breath and went on, “And she needs to be kind. That’s a requirement. And family’s really important to me. So she’d have to be… open to spending time with my folks a couple times a month. We do big Sunday dinners and picnics in the summer.”
“Those don’t sound like deal-breakers, Dawson. They sound like a dream come true.”
“Really?”
She nodded, then winced as the movement caused her pain. “Anything else on your list?”
This one made me nervous. “Uh, well, there is one other thing.” Actually, there were two things. But I started with the easiest one. “I love Red Oak Mountain, so whoever I marry has to be comfortable living on the mountain with me. I… couldn’t move to Fernwood.”
“Is it a nice place? It was after dark when my friends and I drove out there, so I didn’t get to see much of the town.”
“I think it’s the nicest place on the planet. Maybe I could give you a tour sometimes.”
She peered up at me, and in a quiet voice said, “I’d like that.”
I got the last of the conditioner out, and while I rubbed her shoulders, I said, “All right. You’re all cleaned up, Amy. Should I help you out of the tub?”
“Mm. I don’t know. You can keep doing this if you want. Where’d you learn how to wash a woman’s hair, anyway? That was the most blissful experience I’ve ever had.”
Should I tell her?
It was probably time. I was starting to feel invested in her. Might as well get all the cards out on the table.
But I hated the idea that my revelation might ruin everything growing between us.
I took a leap of faith and told her, “From washing my daughter’s hair.”
Her eyes flew to me, and a surprised look spread across her face. “You have a daughter?”
This is where I’d lost some women in the past. Not everyone wanted that kind of baggage. My daughter wasn’t baggage tome. She was myeverything. But that didn’t mean Amy would want that kind of complication in her life.
“Yup. And an ex. She’s still in my life because of Talia. We have joint custody. I have her every other week.”
“That’s such a pretty name. How old is Talia?”
“She’s fourteen now. Straight-A student, except for the occasional C. That’s the dad joke I always tell. She’s a good kid. And she’s the most important person in my life.”
I waited a beat, then added, “Is that a deal-breaker?”
A big smile popped out on Amy’s face. The biggest smile I’d seen from her yet. “Are we in a situation that involves deal-breakers? Right now you’re just the man who dropped everything to nurse me back to health. You’re looking for more than that?”
My cock was straining in my pants, clamoring to be released, and Amy knew it. She was just teasing me.
With a husky growl, I told her, “Yeah, I want more than that. In fact, I’d like to be your replacement Boinkacorn. When can we throw that thing away?”
Her expression changed. It was softer and more open. “Talia doesn’t sound like a deal-breaker to me. She sounds delightful. How does she feel about her dad dating?”
Something warm gathered in my chest. Amy and I were wading into deep waters now.
“She’d like me to find someone, if it’s the right person. All Talia wants is to see me with a special someone. She remembers how much I liked being a family. Single life is fine, but… we both know it can lead to a lot of quiet nights.”
“That’sthe truth.” Amy let out a deep breath, shifting in the tub while I continued giving her a shoulder massage.
Then she added, “Are you over your ex? That’s one of my requirements.”
“Yeah. Me and Laney aren’t a thing anymore. Haven’t been for a long time. We weren’t a good fit. She’s been remarried for quite a few years now. I don’t harbor any thoughts of rekindling things with her.”
