And if it made any difference, he wasn’t too happy about how Ella had gotten under his skin, either. In fact, it made him downright uneasy.
“Take that.” Jessie pumped her fist into the air.
Megan laughed. “You two are pros. I’ll have to work harder to win.”
An impish smile Reid didn’t see often enough claimed Jessie’s mouth, but a wide yawn followed. Bedtime was an hour ago, and though he hated to ruin her fun, he needed to send her off to her room.
“It’s past your bedtime, Bug.” He waited for the groan he knew would come.
“But we haven’t finished our game.”
“We can finish it in the morning before Ella’s appointment.”
Jessie opened her mouth to protest.
“It’d be smart to get a good night’s sleep,” Megan said. “Ella will be awake and pestering you to go out in the snow first thing in the morning.”
Jessie’s mouth quirked in a crooked smile. “It’s fun having her here.”
Jessie stood and grabbed Bandit’s leash from a hook by the door. She didn’t have to call him. He came running at the jingle of the leash, and she clipped it on the dog to take him out for a last break before bedtime.
“She really takes good care of Bandit,” Megan said.
Reid nodded. “I thought it might fall on me, but she’s doing it all. I think knowing something depends on her helps with her grief.”
“I can see that. When Orrin left, focusing on Ella was my saving grace.”
“Ditto for me with Jess when I lost Diane.”
The door opened, ushering in cold air.
Jessie shivered. “I know. I know. I should’ve put on a jacket.”
“You can warm up in bed.” Reid held out his arms for their usual bedtime hug.
Jessie hung up the leash then rushed to Megan and gave her an awkward hug instead
Jessie quickly pushed back and turned to him. “Can you come upstairs with me?”
Surprised, he stared at her.
“What?” she said. “Is it a crime to have your dad tuck you in?”
“No crime at all. Just thought you’d outgrown it.”
She rolled her eyes. “A girl can change her mind, right, Megan?”
“Absolutely.” Megan laughed.
“C’mon, Bandit.” Jessie grabbed Reid’s hand and tugged him after her. Bandit scampered up the steps ahead of them. In her room, Bandit had settled on the foot of the bed and she sat on the other end. “Did you know Ella’s dad left her?”
Reid nodded.
“Megan said he had more important things to do.” Jessie’s eyes tightened.
Reid sat next to her and took her hand. “And you’re worried I’ll find something more important than you too.”
She nodded, then stared at her feet.
