He glanced at Zoey. “Heard that one before.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let them keep you in here too long, even if it is for a good cause. I miss you.” Zoey rested her forehead against the barred door, a slow smile curving her lips. “Though I have the feeling you could probably bend these bars enough to get out, if you wanted.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. Inhaled the scent of powdered sugar and sunshine. Growled a little. “Don’t tempt me.”
Cade and Noah groaned. “Come on, guys, you’re not even newlyweds anymore.”
“If they’re not, then we’re not.” Elisa walked up next, hands planted on her hips. “Does that mean you don’t missme, Noah Hebert?”
Noah hopped up like the bench was on fire, brushing off his flannel shirt. “Of course not,Mrs. Hebert.” They tried to kiss through the bars.
“Oh man. This is nauseating. I’m going to Chug a Mug.” Amelia held up both hands in surrender. Then she brightened. “Oh, wait. Almost forgot! The new cards came in.” She reached into the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out a Boiling Bayou business card.
Geez, a lot had happened in the two hours he’d been stuck in here. He took the card through the bars while she grabbed another one to show Elisa and Rosalyn.
“Amelia—you drew that?” Elisa’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s amazing.”
Rosalyn hugged her, her long blonde hair almost completely hiding Amelia’s face. “I’m so proud of you!”
“So are we.” Zoey beamed. “She’s going to start art classes this summer at the community college.”
Something a lot like pride welled in Linc’s throat as he studied the hand-drawn Boiling Bayou card. He’d seen the design before they printed them, of course, but hadn’t viewed the final product yet. Amelia had created a new logo of a crawfish reclining on a raft as it floated in the waves, sunglasses dangling in one claw. It provided the perfect addition to the previously plain cards—along with Zoey’s name as co-owner and official photographer.
Maybe that was his favorite part.
“Turned out even better than I thought.” He tucked the card in his pocket, fought to swallow. Good grief, no one warned him that everything about having a daughter would make him emotional. “Good job, kid.”
Amelia twirled one strand of hair around her finger, smiled self-consciously. “You mean it?”
“Can’t reach the lamppost from here.” He narrowed his eyes again as an idea struck. “Bail me out and we’ll go see.”
“Nah. I really like this dress for the dance.” She snickered. “Want me to bring you back a latte, though?”
He sighed. “You know I only drink coffee.”
“That’ssoooboring.”
“What, my coffee isn’t hip enough for you?”
She wrinkled her nose. “No one says hip, Dad.”
“Fine. My coffee not bussin’ enough for you?”
Cade snorted from the bench.
Amelia blanched. “That’s it, I’m out.” Face twisted in horror, she started down the hall.
“Just remember who pays your cell phone bill,” Linc called after her, and she turned, laughing. He watched her practically sprint down the hall, mixed emotions churning his stomach. She was blossoming—which was good. So good.
But also growing up fast—which was goodandpainful.
Elisa followed his gaze, offered him a soft smile as she stepped closer to the cell door. “How’s her mom?”
He cleared his throat. “Been in rehab the past month.”
“Yeah, and if she sticks it out for the duration, the court will allow supervised visitation with Amelia,” Zoey added. “Then we go from there.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” Noah asked.
