“It’s easier that way,” she says before pushing herself away from the counter and walking away, calling to Pickles in the process.
* * *
The next morning,I wake early, as I normally do, and work out in my at-home gym before making a protein shake. By the time it’s eight, I find it unusual that Hadley hasn't woken up yet.
Heading up the stairs, I slow my steps when I hear murmurs of voices.
“You smell like candy,” my daughter states.
“Why, thank you.” April doesn’t seem to mind that Hadley must have made her way to the guest room.
“Your skin is more beautiful than Grammie’s, hers has lines.”
April chortles. “That’s because age plays a factor.”
“You're the same age as my daddy?”
“A few years younger.”
I approach the room to see the door is open, and as I take a step into the doorway, I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the sight of April with a white towel wrapped around her body and a towel on her head, while her hands are busy using a makeup brush. Damn, the towel is barely past her ass, and I’m far too curious if she is still completely naked under it.
Hadley is leaning against the dresser in her pajamas, watching April.
Clearing my throat, I knock on the door pane. “Morning.” I find my voice despite the image in front of me doing a number on my brain.
April doesn’t take notice of me and focuses on the mirror. “Someone found me this morning.”
“Sorry. I guess working on manners when a guest is here is new.”
“Hey! It’s more fun to watch April get pretty than go downstairs.”
“Why is that?”
Hadley shrugs. “I don’t know. She has sparkly powder.”
“Sparkly powder? I think you are still stuck in your dreams, kiddo.” I cross my arms over my chest.
April smiles. “Nah, she's right. I have this sparkly body powder that I was putting on when she came in.”
My fist finds my mouth as I look away, and I'm now imagining where the hell that powder goes.
“Daddy, I don’t think it’s polite for you to be here. This is girls only.”
I tip my head in the direction of Pickles who is lying lazily at the edge of the bed. “Pickles is here.”
“He doesn’t count,” Hadley justifies.
“She’s right, you know,” April pipes up. “Your eyes should be somewhere else other than the room where I slept all night, only to wake, shower, and am now wearing a towel that could fall at any moment.” I hear her taunting me as she applies mascara.
“See? You need to leave,” Hadley declares, completely unaware of April’s innuendo.
I shake my head ruefully. “Fine. But you are coming with me, Hadley, you need to get ready for the day.”
Hadley’s finger finds the air. “Did the magic work? Since I ate my bites of food last night. Do we get to go anywhere I want?”
I open my mouth, but then hesitate, remembering what April said last night about making an effort with Hadley. “Sure. Jolly Joe’s?”
“Uhm, I want to go to Pioneer Park.”
