She pressed her lips together. “But he could hurt me, Dad. I don’t need another broken heart. Deacon would be so easy to fall for. When he first said he wanted us to move in with him, I froze. I do know this is for the best, but if it doesn’t work...”
Her father folded his hands, nodding slowly. “That’s something only you and Deke can untangle. You both have to do what’s best for Ellie. Think about me. If I hadn’t been in your life, you’d have managed, but a piece of you would have been missing.”
Ava brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I can’t imagine not having you around, Dad, and I want that for Ellie. But if it fails, we’d have to go to court and the idea of joint custody bothers me because we live miles apart. Even with joint custody, we’d have to travel. I know not as much, but I’d hate being separated from my daughter.”
He nodded. “How do you think Deke feels? He’s been separated from her for years.”
She stared at the swirling steam. “I know. What should I do?”
His gaze was patient and gentle. “Moving to Clifton is the best choice. For all of you. You asked what I thought, and I’ve told you.”
“I suppose we’ll have to see how it goes.” Ava lifted her cup and took a sip. “I want this to work, Dad. I really do.”
“Honey, all relationships take work.”
Ava pushed her chair back, placed the cup in the sink, then lifted Ellie from her highchair and set her on the floor. She sighed when the little girl ran off. “She’s making me a believer in the terrible twos.”
Her father laughed. “Like you were never like that.”
“I was a perfect angel.”
“You might have been perfect in my eyes, but you were no angel.”
Ava gasped then laughed. “At least you’re honest.”
“Honey, I honestly believe that you and Dekecanmake this work.”
“I’m sure going to try and he thinks it can work too.”
They moved to the living room and after a couple of hours, Ava got up to leave. She put Ellie’s sweater on her, picked her up, then after kissing her father on the cheek, they left. She set Ellie on her feet and watched her run off.
“Ellie, you have to stop—” Ava gasped when Ellie took a tumble, landing on her belly with her arms outstretched. Ava ran to her, crouched down, and helped her up. She brushed the gravel off her and looked at her. “I told you not to run or you’d get hurt.”
“Is she alright?” her father asked from the porch.
“I think so.” Ava looked at Ellie. “Do you have any boo-boos?”
Ellie showed her the palms of her hand with a grin. “No,” she said, then ran off again toward the steps of their home.
Ava looked at her father and shook her head. “Tomboy no doubt.”
Rudy chuckled, then closed the door as Ava and Ellie headed home.
After entering the house, Ellie sat on the floor with her dolls and Ava worked on payroll. All the while hoping she and Deacon could make this work.
Chapter Thirteen
Deke maneuvered his truck into the driveway of Anthony Dyer’s last known address, at least the one listed in Maple Ridge. The sprawling property looked like it belonged to a man with assets scattered across the map. The lush green lawn was neatly trimmed, and the house itself was a grand structure of brick and glass, exuding an air of opulence. The black market must be lucrative, Deke thought, as he exchanged a glance with Rawley.
“Some place, huh?” Deke remarked, his eyes sweeping over the impressive façade.
“Hell, yeah. He must make a ton of money off the black market,” Rawley replied, nodding in agreement.
“The only thing I could find on the man was that he was a bank CEO and he had no records. Let’s have a chat with him.” Deke stepped out of the truck with Rawley trailing behind, their boots crunching on the gravel path as they approached the imposing front door.
When it swung open, a tall man stood framed in the doorway, the light casting long shadows across his sharp features.
“Gentlemen, what can I help you with?” he asked, his voice smooth and confident.
