Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“We sure can,” I say. “You, me, and Tatum can go to Riff’s, and you can have curly fries, too.”
She grins. “Yay! I love curly fries. And extra ketchup!”
“All the ketchup your mouth can handle,” Tatum agrees. “And if you want to talk about anything Martha’s mom said, we can. I know it can be confusing when grown-ups say mean things. Grown-ups should know better.”
Sarah Beth’s smile fades. “It’s okay. I know I don’t have a mommy. But I have Daddy and Grammy and Aunt Melissa and my aunts and uncles and cousin. And now I have you, Tatum.”
“You sure as heck, do, honey,” Tatum says fiercely. “And I’m going to send the bad fairies after anyone who messes with you. You’re my girl.”
“You’re my girl, too,” Sarah says, reaching for Tatum.
I ease her into Tatum’s arms, my entire body vibrating with a silent promise that I will never do anything to get between the two of them. No matter what I feel for Tatum, no matter how full my heart still is from seeing her stand up for my baby like Sarah Beth was her flesh and blood, I will keep my distance and keep this professional.
Somehow, I got lucky enough to hire the best nanny a single dad could wish for. I would be a fool to do anything to put that at risk.
And I’m no fool, a fact I prove by calling off work the rest of the day and spoiling the two best girls I know. After lunch, we head home and grab our warm clothes and head out to my father’s ice fishing hut, one of Sarah Beth’s favorite winter activities. We spend the afternoon fishing and sipping hot chocolate and cheering every time we catch something big enough to keep for dinner.
Tatum comes home with us to share in the fish bounty, whipping up a batch of hush puppies better than any fish fry restaurant I’ve visited.
“The secret is love,” she says, before adding with a grin, “and maple syrup. Maple syrup makes everything better.”
“Just like on pancakes,” Sarah Beth says, running through the kitchen with Ajax trailing behind her on a ribbon “leash” she made.
“And we’ve come full circle,” I say to Tatum as I flip the fish in the pan on the stove.
She grins. “It’s been a long day. But a good one, even with the little blip there in the middle.”
“We don’t let bullies ruin our day,” I say.
“No, we don’t,” she agrees, leaning closer.
For a second, I think she’s going to kiss me, and I want her to so badly my stomach goes into free fall when she reaches for the salt grinder on the other side of me instead.
But I shake off the disappointment and force another smile.
We’ll get used to this. To being friends and collaborators in the fine art of raising a sweet little girl. It’s going to get easier, not harder. And if I’m ever tempted to cross a line, I’ll just look at my baby’s smiling face and know my sacrifice is worth it.
She’s worth any sacrifice.
Even if it means giving up anything more than friendship with someone, I’m pretty sure I could love more than any woman I’ve ever met.
Chapter Fifteen
TATUM
We’re about to sit down to a fish dinner, which smells amazing, when my cell vibrates in my back pocket.
I pull it out to see a text from Wren—Sorry to bother you, but I’m trapped in my shed. I came out to grab some jewelry making supplies and forgot to bring my shotgun. Now Kyle’s suddenly outside the door, and he’s even angrier than usual. I’m afraid he’s going to take me out if I try to get back inside the house without backup. Do you think you could swing by and honk your horn at him? You don’t have to get out of your car or anything, but I would really appreciate it. I’m so sorry! I tried my sister and mom, but they’re in Minneapolis shopping and all the ladies at work are too scared of Kyle to come within five miles of my place.
“Oh my God, this turkey,” I say, shaking my head.
“What happened now?” Drew asks, from where he’s dishing fish up on plates at the counter.
“He has Wren trapped in her shed,” I say, nibbling my lip. “She wants me to come honk at him, but I don’t think that will do much good. He’s too bold. I’ll have to find a weapon or something.”
“No way you’re going over there. You’re still healing from the last time he got his beak on you,” Drew says, wiping his hands on the kitchen towel hanging on the stove. “I’ll go. You and Sarah Beth stay here and eat while the fish is warm.”
“No, I can go,” I say, feeling terrible. “I don’t want your supper to get cold because of stupid old Kyle.”