Damn it all but that smile had him doing a double take.He ran his fingers through his hair and took a slow, deep breath.“They do.”When it came to his family things weren’t that easy.The whole reason he’d brought Delilah to Tenacity was so she’d have the supportive family and loving home she deserved.Just because he hadn’t had that growing up didn’t mean he might not be able to build that for her—at least, he hoped.The few times he’d been in touch with Hayes, his brother had sworn that their irascible father, Lionel—the reason all the Parker brothers had fled the ranch over the years—had mellowed, sort of, due to his troubled health.Braden was willing to risk coming back to the family ranch—he believed the move was best for his daughter.He hoped like hell it’d been the right call.“I need this move to work—for Delilah’s sake.She’s my top priority.”
Maggie gave him a long, considering look.“Then you’ve got your priorities straight, Braden.You’re going to be fine.Both of you.”
Her words were like a life raft—lifting his spirits and giving him hope.And he was beyond grateful to her.
“I should go sit with Cody.”She took a step, then hesitated.“It was nice to meet you, Braden Parker.”There was such warmth in her smile and in her eyes.
“You, too, Maggie Cooper.”He wanted to savor that smile a little longer, but Delilah came running up to tug on his arm.
“Come on, Daddy.”She bounced on the balls of her feet.“I’msohungry.I wanna eat pizza.”
“Have fun.”Maggie waved before making a beeline to where Cody sat.She didn’t look back once.
He knew because he watched her.He’d lost his chance to say something witty or memorable before they’d parted, and he was surprisingly disappointed.
“Daddy.”His daughter was getting impatient.
“Lead the way.”He took her hand and followed her.When they reached her class table, he slid onto the bench beside her and draped her lap with a couple of napkins.When she picked up her pizza and took a bite, he held his breath.
“Daddy, Cody is right,” Delilah said between bites.“This isyummy.”
It wasn’t yummy but it wasn’t the worst pizza he’d eaten, either.Upside, the company sure was entertaining.Delilah had already introduced him to the chaotic workings of the five-year-old brain, but a table full of five-year-olds was a whole new sort of chaos.He was too busy passing out napkins, opening juice boxes and milk cartons, and listening to more knock-knock jokes than he’d ever wanted to hear.The arrival of Mrs.Peacock signaled lunch was finally over.After wiping off at least a dozen faces and twice as many hands, he helped pack up lunch boxes and get the kids into a line and led Delilah toward the cafeteria doors.
Lucky for him, Maggie and Cody were right behind them.Even luckier, Delilah headed straight for them—meaning he had no choice but to follow.
“Cody, Cody!”Delilah needed to work on her “inside voice.”“I ate pizza.It wasyummy.”
Cody looked pretty proud of himself as he said, “Told you.”
“Yep.You did.”Delilah nodded gravely.“Cuz your brain is super smart.”
Cody grinned at that.“Yeah.”
He and Maggie exchanged a smile.She was just as amused by the interaction as he was.
“My daddy came to my birthday.”Delilah pointed at him.“He’s a cowboy, see?His hat.And boots.”She pointed at his hat, then his boots.“He has bwue eyes.I have bwue eyes.See?”She widened her eyes and pointed at them.
Cody looked up at him, and for the first time, his confidence wavered.“Sir.”
“My daddy’s ta-ll.”Delilah worked hard on getting her l’s out as she stared up at him.“Bigger than everybody.Wots.”
Cody leaned toward Delilah and whispered, “Cuz he’s older than nine.”
Braden laughed.“You’re right about that.”
“You and your mommy have springy hair.”Delilah pointed at Cody’s curls, then Maggie’s.“Cody’s mom, you wook wike my favorite princess.From the movie Brave.Are you her?”
Thanks to Delilah, Braden had watched the animated movie way too many times.Yes, Maggie had a lot of curly hair and was pretty enough to be a princess.But, lucky for him, Maggie was real.A fact he was real happy about.
“No, I’m not a princess.”She gave Delilah the sweetest smile.
“You’ve mean you’ve ever taken down a bear or had to defend a castle?”He grinned when Maggie laughed.
“I have not.”Maggie shrugged.
“It’s agirlmovie.”Cody sighed.“A princess one.”
“Nope.It has bears an’ fightin’ an’ magic, too.”Delilah crossed her arms over her chest and scowled up at Cody.She was all sass when she said, “It’s the bestest movie.Ever.Right, Daddy?”
