“So, how do you know my daddy?” Rue eyes me speculatively, and I suddenly feel as though I’m being interrogated.
“I…uh…I don’t, really. I just met him the other day.” I’m unsure how honest I’m supposed to be.
She squints like she doesn’t believe me, arms folding across her chest. “My daddy has a girlfriend.”
My brows lift. “Oh. I wasn’t?—”
“Yeah. Her name is Savannah. And she’srealllllypretty. Right, Daddy?” She gazes up with a sparkle in her irises.
Jace’s mouth opens, but only a grunt comes out. “I don’t—she’s not my girlfriend.”
Rue throws her hand in the air, a dramatic sweep that reminds me of a miniature soap opera star. “He’s just being shy. He has a big crush on her and they’re gonna get married.”
“Oh. Wow. Congratulations.” I try hard not to laugh and fail miserably at keeping a straight face.
Jace groans, dragging a hand down his face. “We’re not.”
Greer breaks first, a chuckle spilling out, and when I glance back, Thora is failing to hide her smile behind her hand, while Mandy bites the inside of her cheek like she’s one breath away from losing it completely.
“My daughter has a big imagination,” Jace adds. “I’m definitely not getting married. Especially not to Savannah.”
“You are so silly, Daddy.” Rue laughs like she didn’t just toss a live grenade into the conversation. “Of course you’re gonna marry Savannah.”
His eyes close and he runs a hand down his face while Greer snorts.
Rue turns that bright, beaming smile on me. “Have you ever ridden a horse?”
“I haven’t.”
Her mouth pops open. “You have to try. It’s so fun. Wanna see mine?”
“You have a horse?”
She nods like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, curls bouncing as she takes off toward the stables at the far side of the bed and breakfast. We fall in behind her.
This kid is going to run the country one day.
“I have two.” She peers over. “One here and one at home. The one here is Snickers and the one at home is Skittles.”
My lips quirk. “Let me guess, your favorite candies?”
“Yep!” She giggles, grabbing my hand. “Come on. I’ll show you Snickers. Can I, Daddy. Please?”
Jace sighs, but there’s the barest curve tugging at his mouth, like he’s trying not to let her win too easy. “Sure, baby bear.”
Rue squeals and hurries down the path, pulling me along with her while the others follow behind at a slower pace.
Mandy catches up beside me and loops her arm through mine as we head toward the stables.
“I can be his Savannah if he wants.” She dons a mischievous smile.
“Cut it out,” I mumble under my breath. “He’s gonna hear you.”
She just shrugs. “Good. Maybe he needs the push.”
Of course she’d say that. She has this kind of confidence I don’t even know how to fake.
When I glance back, Jace is a few steps behind us with Greer and Thora, his attention locked on Rue in that protective way. That hard, unreadable face of his softens a bit as he watches her, and in that instant, it’s easy to forget how intimidating he is.
