Page 43 of Always Be Mine
But that didn’t seem like the healthiest choice for a growing girl, and Lucy had surprised herself by discovering how much she was enjoying cooking and finding recipes that the little girl enjoyed.
I’m glad. The stew was always your favorite. Let me know how it turns out.
Lucy didn’t have the heart to tell her mother that she wasn’t enjoying the meals she’d been cooking with Craig and Meri. Every single night before she left, Craig would invite her to stay for dinner, but she always had an excuse to make her escape. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend more time with them; it was quite the opposite, really. Andthatwas the problem. Lucy was enjoying her time with both Meri and Craig a littletoomuch.
Craig was funny and kind, and the way he interacted with his daughter was amazing. He was always so interested in hearing every detail about Meri’s day. And when he spoke to Lucy, he was equally invested in their conversation, too.
She tried to keep their conversations that weren’t about Meri to a minimum. It was easier to keep things between them on a strictly professional level. Especially because the thoughts Lucy was having about her boss were anything but professional. And then there was the small matter of how amazing he’d looked wearing just a towel around his waist.
She still didn’t know anything about Meri’s mother. There were no pictures of her in the house at all, nor had there been any mention of her. It was strange. Surely if she’d died, there’d be at least one photo of her? And if they were divorced, presumably she’d still want to be involved in Meri’s life in some way.
She could probably just ask Craig, but there’d never been a good time. She didn’t want to say anything around Meri and because she was actively avoiding any situation that would have her alone with her ridiculously perfect man of a boss, that didn’t leave a lot of options.
Except speculation.
But even in her wildest imagination, Lucy couldn’t think of any woman who would choosenotto be with Craig and his doll of a daughter.
“Lucy! I’m ready for my surprise.”
“Coming!” she hollered down the hallway before turning her attention back to her phone quickly.
Will do.
She replied quickly.
Gotta run, Mom. Love you.
She tucked her phone away before once more grabbing the surprise she’d prepared for Meri and headed outside. She couldn’t wait to see the little girl’s reaction.
ChapterEleven
When Craig got home,Meri and Lucy were not in the kitchen the way they’d been every evening before. “Hello. I’m home.” He dropped his things on the counter and moved through the room into the living room. They weren’t there either. Confused, he called out again, but when there was still no answer, he pulled his cell phone out, ready to call Lucy, when he caught a flash of movement out the picture window that faced the street.
Lucy and Meri were dressed in fleecy jackets and mittens, but no hats. They’d had a huge dump of snow the night before, but Craig knew from experience that this late in the season, it wouldn’t last long. Which is why it took him by surprise to see Lucy and Meri in the front yard, working on a snowman that they’d positioned in the shadows next to the large pine tree that towered over the bungalow.
Meri had a spray bottle in her hands and was moving around the bottom of their construction with it, leaving splashes of purple all over.
“This looks fun.” Still dressed for work, Craig stepped out the front door and joined them.
“Daddy!” Meri dropped the bottle and ran to him.
His heart swelled as he scooped up his little girl and swung her around before setting her on her feet again.
“What do you think? Isn’t she pretty?”
Craig’s eyes locked on Lucy, who smiled broadly. “She’s beautiful.”
She ducked her head and looked at the ground. It was only then that Craig noticed his daughter was pointing at the snowman.
“She’s a princess.”
“Wow.” He focused completely on Meri, who dragged him by the hand toward her as soon as he’d set her down. “I came in the back way, so I didn’t see her, but she’s amazing.”
“We’re going to put a crown on her when we’re done, but I still have to make her head pink.”
“Pink?” He glanced at a row of spray bottles lying in the snow.
“Princess paint,” Meri said seriously. “It was my surprise.”
