“Is that so, little girl?”
The deep voice drew their attention to a tall man dressed in an impressively pristine white chef’s coat. Pink tinged Hayleigh’s cheeks as her grin turned sheepish. “Well youare. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the woman you interviewed today!”
“She didn’t even know the difference between a Chablis and a Muscadet.”
Hayleigh rolled her eyes. “And you could have easily taught her the difference.”
Chef Connor, as he was affectionately—and sometimes with a hint of well-earned fear—referred to everywhere on the Ranch, raised a brow. “Show our guests to their table, and then meet me in my office.” Turning to Addison, he flashed a welcomingsmile. “My apologies for my Little girl. She was much happier helping out when it meant picking out napkin colors and lighting fixtures. Hostessing… not so much.”
It wasn’t a surprise that Hayleigh had helped with the design of the restaurant, considering she’d studied to be an interior designer. But pride shone in her Daddy’s eyes as he shifted his gaze back to his wife.
“Well, the restaurant looks fantastic,” Addison said, giving Hayleigh an approving smile that had the other woman’s eyes lighting with pleasure. “You’ve both done an incredible job.”
“Thank you.” Picking up three menus, Hayleigh gestured for them to follow. “We picked out a seat near the window, so you guys have the best view in the house for your…” Interest filled her eyes. “Is this a date?”
“Hayleigh.”
Despite the warning in Connor’s voice, Hayleigh simply rolled her eyes again. “It’s a legit question!”
“It is,” Addison assured her and Connor both. “And yes, we are on a date. Which we would all very much like to get to.”
Pink rushed to Hayleigh’s cheeks. “Of course. Follow me.”
They did as they were bid, settling in at a table by the breathtaking view. Hayleigh disappeared and a waitress took her place. “Good evening! Welcome to Connor’s On The Ridge. Can I get you started with a glass of wine?”
Kylie and Daniel both looked up, the question clear in their eyes.
Fucking hell, they were adorable. “One glass for each of you, and then it’s water the rest of the night.”
Nose wrinkling, Kylie looked down at her menu. “I’d rather have soda.”
Technically, she hadn’t agreed to be their Mommy yet. But as she’d tried to explain to Derek, she was strict and demanding, soit was probably best for them to see that side of her right out of the gate.
So they could decide now she was more than they could handle instead of two years down the road.
“It’s far too late in the day for Little girls to be drinking caffeine, Kylie Anne. One glass of wine and then water, or just water. Those are your choices.”
Pink slashed across Kylie’s cheeks, but when she ducked her head, Addison could still see the smile tugging at her lips. “A glass of the rosé, then. Please.”
“Good girl. Daniel?”
“Just water for me. Not much of a wine drinker,” he said with a shrug.
Glancing at the menu, she smiled up at the waitress. “A glass of the petit Shiraz, please.”
With their drink orders submitted, they were left alone with just their food choices and each other.
“Oh, the braised short ribs soundamazing.” Wiggling in her seat in what appeared to be some kind of happy food dance, Kylie grinned down at the menu. “With… I think the corn pudding and macaroni and cheese.”
Because Addison was watching her, she caught the sneaky little glance Kylie sent her way. So her potential babygirl wanted to test her, did she?
As a lifelong academic, Addison was a big fan of tests. And she never, ever failed.
“You may have one starch, and one green vegetable. So choose either the macaroni and cheese or the corn pudding, but not both.”
Instead of looking deflated, Kylie looked rather smug, confirming Addison’s thoughts that she’d been testing her. “Yes, Ma’am.”
She shifted her attention to the man across from her. “Daniel? What looks good to you?”
