I hung back as Angela talked to him at his car. He was on the shorter side, maybe five-foot-nine, barely an inch taller than Angela.
Ayla got out of the car and ran over to me. "Do you see the snow?"
"There's sleds in the shed if we get enough."
"We can go sledding?" she asked as if she hadn't been able to do much of that over the years.
"Sledding is mandatory. We'll have to make a snowman and maybe even take the snowmobiles out." I loved outdoor activities.
Gus narrowed his eyes on me. "You don't think that's a bit dangerous for a kid?"
"What? Snowmobiling? She'll ride with me. I'd never do anything to put her in danger."
He looked at Angela as if waiting for her to back him up, but she asked, "Do you have her bag? I'm sure you're eager to get home before there's too much accumulation on the road."
He sighed, as if he realized he didn't have any say in Ayla's upbringing. He'd wanted it to be this way, and he didn't get tobutt in now. Not that I had a say in anything either. But I was more involved at this point than he was.
He reached into the car and handed Angela Ayla's bag.
"Thanks for bringing her back."
He nodded, appearing like he wanted to say something. I kept my gaze on him, not giving him the privacy he obviously wanted.
"Ayla, why don't you run inside," Angela finally said, handing her the key.
Ayla took it and ran to the porch, where she put the key into the door and opened it. The door closed.
"You dating this guy?" Gus said it with a sneer.
Angela huffed out a laugh. "Not that's it any of your business but yes."
"Don't you think I should know these things if he's going to be around my daughter?"
"I have full physical and legal custody of Ayla. That's the way you wanted it. You specifically said you didn't want to be responsible for any decisions, and that includes who I spend time with."
His jaw tightened.
"We have to get dinner ready. Enjoy the rest of your weekend." Angela moved toward the door, and I smiled at him.
Gus scowled at me. He didn't have a play. Angela wasn't his concern anymore. I was going to hold on tight and never let her go.
I followed Angela inside, then patted my pockets for my phone. "I must have left my phone in the truck."
Angela nodded, and I went back outside to retrieve the rest of the groceries. Gus was backing out when I walked past him.
He rolled down his window. "I don't like you hanging out with my daughter."
Eager to have this discussion with him, I doubled back to talk to him. "I don't think you have any legal rights in this situation. But know that I will always take care of Angela and Ayla. I'd never hurt them or cast them aside."
His face pinched, because he knew that's exactly what he'd done.
"I'll take good care of her daughter and be the father figure she needs." As long as Angela was on board with that plan. But it was my intention to take care of both of them.
"That's not?—"
I held up my palm. "You lost the right to have a say when you walked away from them. You might be regretting that decision now. But it's too late. You lost them, and they're mine to win." With that parting shot, I walked away. I opened the door and grabbed my phone while he backed out of the driveway. His tires squealed as he pulled away.
I let out a breath of relief. I hadn't wanted to have a confrontation, but he'd given me no choice when he opened his window. I hoped that was the end of his objections.
