“Because you’re lonely?”
“I’mwhat now?No, honey.Of course not.I’m just trying to figure out what shirt to wear.”
“Oh.”Jasmine steps inside.She’s dressed in bedazzled jeans and the new pink boots
Special K got her when he was on a bull riding trip to Idaho a couple months back.I recognize the shirt as Jasmine’s half of a matching set Aunt Phyllis made for us last Christmas, though my daughter’s version has more embroidery and rhinestones than mine.Her pink cowboy hat was a gift from Declan.The silver-studded belt is from Evander.The turquoise bracelet is from Cal and Victoria.
It takes a village to raise a child, and in this case, it takes a village to dress her, too.
I could’ve used a village myself this evening.
“Should I wear my matching shirt, too?”
Jasmine’s eyes go big.“Please, no.I’m not five anymore, and I don’t want to go out in public matching my dad.Wear something normal.”
I eye my bed.Jasmine marches over and selects a red and light blue plaid button-down and hands it to me.
“This one looks good on you, and it sort of matches what Emma’s wearing.”The kid’s got a twinkle in her eye tonight.“You should really match her, not me.”
She rises up on the balls of her feet and loops her thumbs in her belt.“Emma doesn’t have a hat, but I told her they sell hats at the fair.Do you think we could get her a hat?Like a present for being so nice and wonderful?”
“We can do that.Sure.Let me get dressed and I’ll be right down.”
Jasmine spins on her boot heel and leaves.I get dressed in a hurry and run a comb through my hair.I really needed to shave again this evening, but I didn’t have time, so stubble it is.I head downstairs, wondering if Emma really is wearing a shirt to match mine.I don’t have long to wait before I get my answer.
She’s standing with Jasmine at the bottom of the stairs.
I stop in my tracks.
Emma is in a simple button-front cotton sundress that ends at mid-thigh, showing off her slim, silky legs.The sleeves are tiny useless things that fall a little off her lovely shoulders, exposing her trim but strong arms.Her hair is down.She’s wearing small silver earrings and what look suspiciously like Summer’s red leather cowboy boots.
If don’t pick up my tongue, I will trip over it and do a header down the stairs.
I want to unbutton her.All the way.With my teeth.My lips.I want to slip my hand over her firm thighs and slide it up between her legs.That dress is a tease.A dare.And my dick has just decided to accept the challenge.
“We’re going to be late, Dad.”
I take a deep, calming breath and drag my eyes from the tour they were taking of Emma’s legs.But then I see her face and I can’t help but smile.She smiles back.She’s a beautiful sight.That smile is spectacular.
I’ve missed it something fierce.I’ve missed her.
Emma’s put on makeup tonight.Not a lot, but it’s noticeable.I love her fresh face, but whatever she’s done tonight makes her eyes luminous, fringed with long black eyelashes.
“You are… you look…”
Jasmine’s giggle snaps me out of it.“See?You match!”
Emma’s cheeks blush, and she stares at her boots.
I head down the stairs.“Both of you are beautiful.Two lovely ladies going to the fair!What a lucky man I am.”I’m about to pat myself on the back for the brilliant save when I see Jasmine’s face.She looks horrified that she’s stuck with the world’s most uncool father.
“Hurry or they’ll run out of deep-fried Snickers.”She grabs my hand and yanks me to the door.I grab my hat from the foyer table on the way out.
“It doesn’t open for another forty minutes, Jasmine.They can’t run out before they even start selling them.”
Jasmine moans as if she’s in physical agony.
Emma laughs, and we lock eyes for a moment.I look down at her and feel a stab of recognition.
