When they headed through the parking lot to the SUV, Jordan glanced over at the large building next door.
“Daddy, can we go to the Log Cabin?”
Shaking his head, he laughed. “We only finished breakfast a few hours ago. You can’t be hungry again.”
“Just some bacon, Daddy, please?”
“Warning,” he said to Chelsea. “This one is always hungry. How about you?”
She touched her stomach. “Not really. I’m not used to eating this much.”
“I can tell.”
Her gaze flittered away, and her mouth tightened. Crap, he’d done it again.
Seizing her elbow, he tugged until she stepped closer. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. You’re thinner than you were when we were…together.”
A smirk crossed her face as she placed her hands on her hips. “You mean I was fat back then?”
He couldn’t stop the chuckle that erupted. “Hardly, little pixie girl.”
As he tugged her along beside him and Jordan skipped on her other side, a few townies waved to them. Curiosity wafted in their direction.
“What should we do now?”
Lowering her eyes, she started to pull away. He clutched her hand tighter. No way he was letting others spoil their day.
“Maybe we should go home.” Her head whipped up. “I mean, your house.”
“Why? It’s a gorgeous day, and the weather is perfect.” He knew why, but would she admit it?
“These people…they’re all walking around judging me.”
As they neared the vehicle, he stopped right in front of her. “Their opinions don’t matter. Jordan and me. Those are the ones that do.”
He stroked her cheek. “Is there any place you’d like to go?”
One slender shoulder lifted and lowered. “Some of the shops downtown. I know we were just there, but…”
“We have all day. We can go anywhere.”
God, he wanted to hold her, kiss her, and take away all the negative she’d experienced today. Once they got back to town and were strolling past the shops, she seemed to relax.
On Cottage Street, Chelsea stopped in front of a salon and tilted her head. After looking around, she shrugged and walked on.
“Did you need something in there?”
That uncertain expression crossed her face, the one he never wanted to see again.
“Not really.”
“Chelsea?”
“Mama need her hair cut like mine,” Jordan piped in.
“Hmm. Actually, you, little bug, could use a trim, also. It’s been a while since your last cut.”
“Can we get the same hair cut?” The girl jumped up and down at the thought.
