Page 33 of Claimed By Dad's Best Friend

That’s just me, though.

Violet sees the world like no one else I’ve ever known, and people notice. Since she started taking her bug shots, they’ve sold out at multiple galleries in the Springs, and she’s even sold some online. Hell, she sold so many that she started getting requests from locals for pictures of their pets, and eventually, their families. Violet was hesitant at first, but now she’s got a name up on the mountain for being the best photographer around.

Thankfully, since I sold my share of the distilleries, I’m around a lot more to help. It feels strange some days waking up without the weight of schedules and shipments, on top of everything here at the ranch, but the quiet family time suits me. Besides, I get to be here with Violet, and I get to be the dad I’ve always wanted to be.

The wind blows and the pine trees bend to the west as the late afternoon sun casts shadows across the lake. Cora and Jake are at the shoreline searching for rocks while my buddy holds his grandson in one hand, his fishing pole in the other.

“Sorry, Dad. We got caught up at the bakery.” She hands him a box of bear claws in exchange for our son. It’s an easy trade given the taste of the pastries up here.

“Sure. You were caught up at the bakery,” my buddy says sarcastically, standing from the chair, a bear claw already in his mouth. “In six weeks you’ll be telling me your pregnant again.”

“Well,” Violet tips her head to the side and rubs her hand over her stomach, “we may already have another little bun in the oven.”

“My God,” her dad shakes his head and bites into the raspberry-almond pastry cream, “you two are a mess.”

He’s shaming us but he can’t hide his grin. It’s been like this since he found out about the relationship. Snarky jokes. A lot of head shaking. A general haze of amused disbelief that hasn’t worn off.

Beneath the ribbing, though, there’s a quiet pride. Like he’s happy Violet is taken care of, and excited about more grandkids, even if he can’t stop joking about how much he hates it.

“Did I just hear what I think I did?” Violet’s mom reaches out for a hug as she holds her floppy sun hat in place.

“We were going to have a big reveal, but I figured everyone would be exhausted with all the celebrating,” Violet says, handing Alex over to her mother.

“Mommy,” Jake calls from the shoreline, “did you bring my monster truck?”

Violet tucks her hand into her camera bag and pulls out the little truck Jake likes to take with him everywhere. We still don’t have an official diagnosis yet, and there are days when he doesn’t want to talk at all, but on the days he does… we all listen very closely.

“I still can’t get over how easily they call me mom.” Violet looks up at me, tears in her eyes as Cora and Jake look for rocks in the water and her parents play with Alex.

“You are their mom, princess.” I brush my hand down over her face, wiping away a warm teardrop. “It’s been official for almost a year now.”

“I know,” her voice shakes, “but some days, it’s still wild to think their biological mother would’ve ever given up custody. I mean,” she stares toward the beach, watching the kids play in the turquoise lake as I hold her from behind, “they’re perfect.”

“And so are you.” I kiss her forehead and breathe her in as our little family surrounds us.

I used to think there was something wrong with me. That I was a bad man for wanting my best friend’s daughter, my nanny, a woman so much younger than me. I’d lie awake at night replaying every glance, every moment, trying to convince myself that I could ignore the attraction if I tried hard enough.

But the truth is, the feelings I have for Violet aren’t the kind to be ignored. They’re the kind you lean into, savor, feed, and hold. They’re the kind you never let go of.

Some folks might still think I’m a bad guy. They’re well within their right to think that way. Lord knows the woman at the general store still hasn’t forgiven me. Hell, I think she has my name on some kind of list behind the counter.

Deep down, though, I know I’m just a man who finally found someone who fits. Someone who makes the noise in my head quiet long enough for me to breathe. Someone who loves with all her heart and isn’t afraid to show it.

And that… that kind of love is forever, no matter the cost.