“Not yet. I would’ve called, but I hoped to see Ellie. If you weren’t here, I would have gone to see your dad.”
“You should’ve called.” She shrugged, grinning. “Then I could’ve changed my shirt.”
“It looks like dinner was well-enjoyed,” he said, nodding at the stains.
“She threw hers at me, didn’t fancy spaghetti today.”
Deacon chuckled. “Girls change their minds.”
“I’d better check on her.” Ava rose, and he stood too. “Be right back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ava pushed open Ellie’s door to find her perched in bed, clutching the doll Deacon brought her. The toddler jabbered happily.
“Hi, baby girl.”
“Mama!” Ellie scrambled upright; arms outstretched.
Ava scooped her up, lifting the doll from the bed. “Your daddy’s here.”
Ellie’s eyes shone. “Dad-dy!”
“Yes, let’s go see him.” Ava picked her up, quickly changed her wet pull-ups, then got the doll, handed it to her daughter, and carried them to the living room. As soon as Ellie saw him, she threw the doll aside and reached for him, her laughter a bright melody. He took her into his arms. She pressed her cheek against his chest, looking up, he swallowed, emotion flickering across his features, then he looked at her face.
“Hi, sweetheart. Did you have spaghetti today?”
“No!” Ellie shook her head so emphatically her curls bounced, and both Ava and Deacon laughed, then they sat on the sofa together.
“Did you talk to Smith?” Ava asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
“I did. He told me who was involved,” Deacon replied, his expression thoughtful.
“Was Chet?” Ava pressed, her curiosity deepening.
“I can’t say yet,” Deacon answered, his tone measured.
“Why not? Do you think I’d tell him?” Ava’s eyebrows knitted together in mild frustration.
Deacon chuckled. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant I don’t really know if he’s involved. I feel it in my gut that he is, but I need more proof.” He gave a casual shrug, conveying the weight of procedure.
“Oh, okay. I’m sure my dad will be happy to hear about it,” Ava said, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
“Yeah, but there’s still work to do. I don’t have enough yet to arrest the other person. I want those boys to talk, and Teddy refuses. Though, Johnny said he would, Teddy yelled at him about it. I told them to let the sheriff know when they wanted to talk, and he’d call me,” Deacon explained, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
“What if they decide to talk tomorrow or Wednesday and you’re off?” Ava asked, concern etched on her face.
“They’ll have to wait until Thursday. They’re not going anywhere,” Deacon assured her, his voice steady and confident.
“Makes sense.” Ava’s lips curled into a gentle smile as Ellie patted Deacon’s cheek with a tiny hand.
“Dad-dy,” Ellie said, her voice bright and filled with affection, making Deacon’s face light up with a proud grin.
“I have to say, I love hearing that,” he admitted.
“I’m sure. I loved it the first time she said Mama,” Ava responded, her voice tender.
“Mama,” Ellie echoed, pointing at Ava with a small, chubby finger.
