He tweaked her nose. “You’re a princess, and I like you, so I guess so.”
“I’mnota real princess.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “I only like to dress up as one.”
His sweet, literal niece. She’d inherited that quality from her great-grandfather, though he’d died before ever meeting Myla. Wes had the same trait but had learned to tame it over the years.
They left the house, and he buckled her into her booster seat in his mom’s Camry. His Mustang didn’t lend itself to children in the rear, so he’d switched cars with his mom temporarily. Mom hadn’t complained—she’d been thrilled to drive the Mustang. And while he wouldn’t admit it to any of his single buddies—maybe, to his minivan-driving dad friends—but he liked his mom’s car. If he ever had to give up his sporty car for a family vehicle, he wouldn’t mind a Camry.
He drove to his mom’s house to pick her up. The house’s exterior looked bare without her usual fall decorations. Usually, they were up no later than the first weekend in October, but here they were on the second Saturday of the month with nothing to show. He made a mental note to stop by this week and help her out. Depending on how long pumpkin picking and dinner took, maybe he could do it tonight.
Myla unbuckled her seatbelt as soon as Wes parked the car. She jumped out and ran to the front door before he had his door open. He swallowed a breath and hurried to follow her, deciding to choose his battles. Myla had a bad habit of hurrying out of the car without waiting for him. At his mom’s it wasn’t a big deal, but in public it could become dangerous. He often showed her grace since Jenna had given Myla a loose rein with very little discipline, but when it came to his niece’s wellbeing, he would do his best to instill safe behaviors in her.
As he walked along the cement path from the driveway to the house, his mom opened the door. Myla jumped on her and gave her an enthusiastic hug.
He saw his mom struggle with the weight of Myla hanging on her, but she kept a smile, the love for her granddaughter shining through. She gently set Myla down. “Go look on my counter. There’s a cookie waiting just for you.”
Wes started to follow his niece into the house, but Mom stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “Let her go. There’s only one cookie set out so she can’t overindulge.”
“What’s going on?” he asked, concerned by the expression in her eyes.
“Jenna called me a few minutes ago.”
“Oh.” He drew out the word, guarding his response. “How is she?”
“Hard to tell.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. Despair lurked in the depths of her eyes. “Jenna’s always been a hard one to read.”
“Don’t blame yourself. You and Dad are great parents.” Though it seemed too insignificant of a gesture, he offered her a smile. “I turned out well, didn’t I?”
Mom laughed. “By the grace of God.”
“Jenna’s going to be okay.” He had to believe it, for the sake of them all. “We’ll keep praying.”
“She did ask about Myla, and I told her Myla’s in great hands with you.” She glanced into the house, to the direction Myla had run. “I’m proud of you for stepping up.”
“It’s the least I could do.” He heard the pitter-patter of young footsteps, and Myla appeared seconds later. “Ready for a fun day of fall activities?”
Myla broke out in a wide grin. “I’m gonna find the biggest pumpkin they have.”
He raised a brow and sent a teasing smile her way. “How do you plan on getting it back to the car?”
“You’re gonna carry it for me.” She stared at him as though the question needn’t have been asked.
Her matter-of-fact response made him laugh but also swelled his heart. Myla trusted him to take care of her, and that spoke volumes coming from a little girl who’d been neglected far too often.
