Page 133 of River Wild

Not that I’m complaining. I love having River in my life. I don’t know what I would do without him.

But … my feelings for him have only grown stronger over time.

And I can’t help but think about when the time comes that he meets someone. I know he’s a prickly jerk at times, but he’s also handsome and kind beneath the prickles.

Some woman is going to come along and snap him up.

And then I’ll lose him.

But I’m not thinking about that right now. It makes me feel sad, and I’m not going to be sad because I have way too much good in my life right now.

Guy puts the plate out for me. I scoop it up and walk over to my customer’s table.

I’ve put the plate down in front of him when the door chimes as it’s opening. I lift my head and see my two favorite people coming into the diner.

Funny how I was just thinking about them both, and here they are.

Although they are both all that I think of lately.

“Enjoy your breakfast,” I tell the customer.

Then, I walk away from his table, my smile turning into a beam at my little girl, who is in River’s arms.

“Hey.” I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek. “What’re you guys doing here? Not that I don’t appreciate the visit.”

“I decided to take a walk. Hope was getting fussy, so I figured a walk into town would keep her entertained.”

“Well, hand her over. It’s been ages since I last had a cuddle with my girl.”

“Which was about … three hours ago,” he quips.

“Like I said, ages ago.”

River hands Hope over to me, and I hold her to me, pressing a kiss to her nose, breathing her sweet baby scent in.

The door chimes. It’s Sadie coming back from the grocery store. We were low on milk.

“Hope’s here!” She dumps the grocery bag by the counter and comes over to us, practically hip-checking River out of the way. “Hand her over, Mama. Auntie Sadie wants a snuggle.”

Laughing, I hand her over to Sadie, who takes her from me.

“How is my sweet girl doing?” Sadie coos to her. “You’ve grown already since I last saw you.”

That was two days ago. Sadie has been a regular visitor at my house since Hope’s arrival. She’s baby crazy. And she just adores Hope.

I love that Hope has already got people in her life who love and care for her. She’s got a family.

“Did I hear that Hope is here?” Guy calls from the kitchen. “Bring her on in here.”

“No way! You’re cooking bacon in there. You’ll make her smell.”

“Fine. I’m coming out to see her.” Guy appears, pushing through the kitchen door. “But, if the bacon burns, it’s your fault.”

I watch, laughing as Sadie and Guy argue over who gets to hold Hope. I feel River tug on my sleeve.

“Got a sec?” He nods to the side.

“Sure. Everything okay?” I ask, following him to a quiet spot around the other side of the counter.