My folks stood and each of them gave Emma a hug and kiss on the cheek. They’d welcomed her into the fold like she was a long-lost friend. I spotted Nancy sitting across the church, glaring in Emma’s direction. I avoided meeting her eye and kept walking.
Before I made it to my seat, Bobby McNight stood and reached his hand out for mine. “Ranger Bishop, how are things going up there at the park?”
With a polite smile, I replied, “They’re going well. Weather is saying we might get some snow this week up at the higher elevations.”
“You ever find out about them poachers I saw walking into the park?”
“We looked for tracks and brought a couple dogs in, couldn’t find anything.”
He huffed. “Not looking hard enough then. I’ll keep my eyes open for you, Ranger.”
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I gave it a squeeze, not bothered by his comment. “Thank you, Bobby. I appreciate that.”
I continued to the pew to sit down. My folks were on one end, sitting next to Hadley. Emma was on the end of the pew nearest the center aisle. I slid past her to sit between Hadley and my mother, putting my daughter beside Emma.
I had to fight the urge to sit next to her myself and focus on the sermon instead.
The sermon was about forgiveness and moving on. A few times, I glanced over to see Emma looking a million miles away, lost in her own thoughts. I wanted to reach across Hadley and take her hand, tell her that whatever she was trying to leave behind, she could let it go. But that would make me the world’s biggest hypocrite.
When the service ended, my mother and Tammy quickly flanked Emma.
“It’s women’s church now,” my mother said, wiggling her brows.
I leaned into Emma and whispered, “Fake a ruptured appendix unless you want to be trapped.”
Emma giggled, and I decided right then and there I was going to add her light laugh to my favorite-sounds-ever list.
“Hadley, we’re going to borrow your Emma,” Tammy said, quickly looking up at me before focusing back on my daughter.
“Okay! But just for a few hours, then you have to give her back to me and Daddy ’cause she’s ours.”
Emma gazed at Hadley with nothing but love in her eyes. When she glanced at me, her expression changed and her teeth sank into that full bottom lip of hers, setting off a rapid pulse in my chest. She bit her lip every single time she was nervous or anxious about something. It was so innocent, yet sexy as all get out. She wasn’ttryingto make a sexual overture, and that was exactly what made it such a turn-on.
I had to drag my eyes off her mouth, quickly glancing around to make sure no one saw me staring so hungrily at my daughter’s nanny.
“Have a good afternoon, Emma,” I said as I took Hadley’s hand and started out of the church.
“Will she be okay, Daddy?” Hadley glanced over her shoulder.
I did the same thing and caught Emma watching us walk away. She lifted her hand and waved, looking almost like she hated the thought of us leaving her behind. Hadley and I returned the wave.
“Of course. She’ll be with Grams and Aunt Tammy.”
When we got to the truck and I buckled Hadley in, I tapped her nose, taking in the smile on her face. “What are you thinking about?”
“Emma. I like her.”
“I do too, Hadley. It’s been good having her around.”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“Come on, I’ve got something special planned for us today.”
Clapping her hands, Hadley cried out, “Yes! I can’t wait!”
I shut the door and walked around my truck, giving the church one last look before climbing in and driving off. I could only hope and pray those church women went easy on Emma and didn’t scare the poor girl off.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
