“Dad-dy?” Ellie asked, her eyes wide with longing.
“He’s back at his house. We’ll see him in a few days,” Ava assured her, trying to keep her voice light.
“No!” Ellie’s scream pierced the air, sharp and insistent.
“Ella Jo, do not do this now,” Ava said, firm but gentle, hoping to soothe her daughter’s sudden outburst. “I think it’s time for a nap.”
When Ellie didn’t argue, Ava stood, picked up her daughter and headed to her bedroom, wishing she could take a nap. She was so tired from packing, but she was almost finished, then they’d move.
A few days later, the late-afternoon sun slanted over the worn siding of Ava’s house as she eased her car to a halt in the gravel drive. She opened the back door and unbuckled Ellie’s car seat straps, lifting her out. Ellie planted her feet in the loose stones and sat down, arms folded, lips set in the stubborn pout.
“You’re just here to prove that the terrible twos are real, aren’t you, Ellie?” Ava crouched, brushinga stray curl behind her daughter’s ear. The child glared up but remained glued to the gravel.
“Hey, sis.” A warm voice drifted through the crisp air.
Ava looked up to see Tyler striding down the path, his boots crunching over the stones. He wore a blue T-shirt, and his grin brightened the dusky yard. When he reached her, she rose and they embraced, the smell of hay and evening air.
“Hey, Ty,” she said, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
“What’s up with little Miss?” He tilted his head toward Ellie as Ava stepped back.
“She’s mad that Deacon isn’t here,” Ava sighed, glancing back at her daughter, who was now poking at the gravel with a tiny shoe.
“Uh-oh,” Tyler said with a playful smirk. “She’s already attached to him. That’s a good sign.” He reached down to wave at Ellie, but she only glowered.
“Is it?” Ava wiped her hands on her jeans. “I’m anxious at the thought of moving to Clifton. I don’t know if I can leave Dad behind.”
“Why the hell not? Deke deserves to know his daughter.” Tyler folded his arms, leaning against the fender.
“What will I do?” Ava asked, brushing gravel from her palms. “Dad has the ranch to run, and I have the bills—”
“Hell, Ava, you can handle bookkeeping and payroll from anywhere, and I handle the ranch more than he does.” Tyler’s voice was firm but kind. “Stop making excuses. We’ve done it for years.”
Ava’s eyes shifted to the rosebush by the steps. “I hate the thought of him alone.”
“That’s a cop-out.” Tyler pushed off the fender. “Besides, he’s not alone.”
“I know he has you—”
“And Jessica,” Tyler interjected, grinning as he stepped closer. “They’re definitely an item now.”
“Jessica?” Ava frowned. “Who the hell is Jessica?”
“The woman he’s been seeing,” Tyler said, shrugging. “He’s serious about her.”
“When did this happen? He told me he wasn’t sure where it was going.”
Tyler glanced at his watch. “Well, he knows now. She’s sweet, Ava. You need to meet her. Our father doesn’t need either of us to make sure he’s not lonely.”
“Is she with him now?” she asked, eyes wide.
“Probably—she spent the night.”
“What?” Ava’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Yep. Our dad is gettin’ some.” Tyler chuckled.
“Oh, please don’t say that.” She laughed despite herself. “Kids shouldn’t think about their parents having sex.”
