Ava almost cried. She didn’t expect this at all.
“Thank you so much, Connie,” Ava whispered.
“Told you,” Deacon said from behind her.
She looked over her shoulder at him and grinned. “Don’t brag, Anderson,” she said, making him chuckle.
They sat in a booth with Ellie in a highchair. After their food arrived, Ava took a bite of her burger, Ava groaned and looked at Deacon.
“You win. Best burger ever.”
He grinned and winked at her. “Quit doubting me when I tell you something.”
“Yes, sir.” She laughed.
After eating, they walked along the sidewalks and Ava peered into each shop. She was sure she was going to love living in Clifton.
Later that night, Ava reached for Deacon, but his side of the bed was empty. Sitting up, she wondered where he was as she looked at the clock to see it was past two a.m. She tossed the sheet off, reached for his T-shirt, pulled it on, then headed toward the living room, but it was empty.
Shrugging, she made her way to Ellie’s room and quietly pushed the door open. Tears filled her eyes when she saw Deacon sitting in the rocking chair holding a sleeping Ellie in his arms. He had his cheek on top of her head and his eyes were closed. She hated to wake him, but he couldn’t sleep like that.
She walked across the room and gently touched his shoulder. His eyes opened immediately, and he looked at her.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi,” he whispered back. “She was crying, so I checked on her. She needed a clean diaper.” He grinned. “Then she was talking a mile a minute, so we sat down and fell asleep.” He looked at Ellie, then at Ava. “I love her so much, Ava. It’s unreal.”
“Trust me, I know. Let me put her back to bed, then we can head back to ours.”
“Okay,” he said as he handed Ellie over to Ava, then he pushed to his feet and rubbed his neck. “I’m glad you got me up or I’d have one hell of a stiff neck in the morning.”
“That’s why I woke you.” Ava put Ellie in her crib and pulled her blanket over her chest, then looked at Deacon. “You look dead on your feet, Deacon. Let’s go to bed.”
“Now, those are words I love hearing you say.” He grinned.
“What? That you look dead on your feet?” She bit her lip to keep from grinning when he frowned.
“I didn’t know you could be such a smartass.” He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. “God, you smell so good. You’re making me hard.”
Ava pushed her hips against him. “I am, aren’t I? What should we do about that?”
Deacon raised his head, grinned, picked her up, and carried her out of the room.
“I’m sure we can think of something.”
Chapter Sixteen
Monday morning light filtered through the office’s floor-to-ceiling glass door as Deke eased it open, the chrome handle cool under his palm. He stepped inside, the faint aroma of strong coffee and worn leather chairs greeting him. He strode to his desk, removed his Stetson, and hung it on the oak hat rack. Sliding into his chair, he turned the computer on and glanced up as Hud dropped into the opposite seat with a soft thud.
“What did you do over the weekend?” Hud asked, leaning back, one booted foot resting on the opposite knee.
“After unpacking, we relaxed.” Deke’s voice was low, relaxed. “Yesterday we didn’t do much. I wish I had half the energy Ellie has.”
Hud grinned, the morning sun catching the crinkle at the corner of his eye. “How’s she settling in at her new place?”
Deke chuckled, his shoulders loosening. “Like she’s lived there forever.”
Hud nodded. “She’s precious, man. And Ava… well, she’s gorgeous.”
