“We’re fine. We sent him away with his tail tucked between his legs,” I said.
“Good. We love to see it.” Oscar smiled, and it made me laugh because he always appeared so grumpy.
“Ah… Oscar, you’re my kind of guy.”
“Well, I’m spoken for, Lulu. But if I wasn’t old as dirt and married most of my life, I’d ask you out for a burger.”
My head fell back on a laugh, and Henley did the same.
We finished our meal, and she dropped me off at home before I quickly changed into the warmest clothes I had. I didn’t tell Henley that I had plans, but it was only because I didn’t know where I was going.
“Wildcat, you here?” Rafe called out from my kitchen.
That bastard came in without knocking on the door once again.
I hurried out to where he was standing in a huff. “You can’t come in without knocking on the door.”
“I did knock. You didn’t answer, and I was freezing my balls off. Plus, the whole world thinks we’re in love. It would be weird if I stood outside and kept knocking.”
“You’re in the backyard. No one can see you. Everyone thinks we’re staying in the same house.”
“My point exactly. Plus, I’ve already seen you naked, so it’s not like I’m going to walk in and see something new,” he smirked.
“Where are you taking me?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“The happiest place in Rosewood River, and we’re picking up my favorite girl.”
“You’re bringing a date?” I quirked a brow.
“If that’s what you want to call her.”
He walked over and zipped my coat up to my neck before taking my hat from my hands and tugging it over my head and leading me to the door.
I feigned irritation like a pro.
But my stomach fluttered once again because I couldn’t wait to see where he was taking me.
fifteen
. . .
Rafe
“All right,Princess. This is a big day.” I tightened the hood over Melody’s hat and took her little hand in mine.
“Because I’m four years old now, right? Right, Uncle Rafe? You promised when I’ze gots to be four, you’d take me to your special place.”
“I sure did. And we’ve got fresh snow, so the timing is perfect.” I smiled down at her. My cousin Archer’s daughter was the most adorable kid on the planet. Where Cutler Heart was a cool cat, Melody Chadwick was a sweet angel girl. I was there the day she was born, and I’ve never felt love like I did the first time she was placed in my arms.
I’d walk through fire and slay dragons for this girl without hesitation.
“I love your pink coat and hat and mittens,” Lulu said, as she bent down to help Melody get all bundled up.
God forbid her nanny, Mrs. Dowden, who was in her early eighties and rivaled the energy of a geriatric sloth, did anything to help. She was sitting on the La-Z-Boy in the family room, watching her “programs” as she sipped the hot chocolate she asked me to make her when I arrived.
Our office was closed today because my boss, Joseph Chapman, was getting married tomorrow, and he’d declared it a company holiday today. When I had the day off, if my cousin was working, I’d always come to see my girl.
“And I love your pretty face,” Melody said to Lulu, in that soft little voice that made my heart squeeze.
