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She stared at me for a long moment before starting her car. I closed the door, securing her in, and watched as she pulled the seatbelt across her breasts.

I watched her leave, and I didn’t like the feeling.

Chapter 7

Jo

* * *

Remy Daniels was staring at me with intense focus.

“Do you have a boyfriend, Miss Jo?”

I had not been prepared for this. I sought for an evasion. “That’s an interesting question, Remy. Why do you ask?”

She shrugged. “Just wondering. So, do you?”

I debated answering her. That was very personal. But the girl was more animated than I’d seen her in weeks. “No. I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Remy made a face, studying me. “Do you want one?”

“Remy, sweetheart, we’re here to talk about you.”

“But I want to know.” She leaned forward. “Because I think my daddy thinks you’re pretty.”

My heart did an Olympic level flip. “Remy⁠—”

“I heard him tell Grandma. After he saw you at the store. He said you were pretty and nice and good with me.”

I should redirect. Maintain professional boundaries.

But my face was burning and all I could think about was Lane crouching in front of me yesterday, saying you matter to me.

“Your daddy is very kind.”

“Do you think he’s handsome?”

“Remy—”

“Because he is. Lots of ladies at church think so, when we go. Mrs. Patterson brings him cookies every Sunday.” Remy wrinkled her nose. “They’re not even good cookies.”

Despite everything, my lips twitched.

“But Daddy never likes any of them. He’s always just polite. But he smiles different when he talks about you.”

My breath caught, and curiosity tugged at me. “Different how?”

“Like he’s happy. Really happy. Not just pretend happy.” Remy set down her crayon. “He hasn’t been really happy since Mommy died.”

The words hung in the air, honest and heartbreaking.

“I’m glad your daddy has moments of happiness. You both deserve that.”

“I think Mommy would like you,” Remy said, so simply, so certainly, that tears pricked my eyes. “She liked nice people. And you’re nice.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

Remy picked up her crayon and started drawing. “You should come to dinner at our house.”