The screech of my name like nails on a chalkboard made my shoulders go tight. I turned. Rowan was gliding down the aisle like he was on a fashion runway, all glittery nail polish, glossy lips, and sunglasses perched like a tiara on his head. Bristlecone’s new wedding planner and resident chaos magnet. He’d made it clear he was looking for a husband, and no swinging bachelor in Bristlecone Springs was safe.
He was harmless. Flamboyant and loud, but not mean. We’d talked a few times. He’d asked me out once, and I’d turned him down. To his credit, he hadn’t let it ruin anything. Still said hi. Still sparkled like he’d swallowed a disco ball.
Today was no different.
He must’ve caught the flicker of “what the fuck” on my face because he laughed, a little breathless. “Okay, maybe that woohoo was a little too much, huh?”
“Definitely, but glad to see the town’s rubbing off on you.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind some of its menfolk rubbing off on me a little more.” His gaze dropped to Ivy, and he blushed. “Oops, sorry. Have to keep it PG, but whose gorgeous baby girl is this? She’s got the most pinchable cheeks I’ve seen today.”
“This is Ivy.” Ivy shrank back from Rowan when he stepped closer.
“Didn’t know you had a kid, Matty.”
“She’s actually the daughter of a…?”
Friend?
Foe?
Fuck buddy?
None of them rang true.
“Of a friend,” I said. “Just keeping Ivy entertained until he’s finished with his shopping.”
“Well, you two make an adorable picture. You should drop by my studio sometime for a proper shoot with this little miss cutie patootie.” Rowan reached out and patted my arm, all friendly-like. I’d noticed before that he was a toucher, so I didn’t think anything of it.
Ivy’s little arm shot out. She made a cry of protest and shoved at Rowan’s hand. “Noooo. My Maaaah”
Stunned, I stared at the little girl in my arms who clutched my neck like she was afraid Rowan might take me away. My heart twisted. She didn’t know me at all. We’d met on a handful of occasions. I hadn’t taken her refusal to go with Hudson earlier to heart, as kids sometimes wanted to be away from their restrictive parents. But this… I was speechless.
Rowan laughed, stepping back with his hands raised. “Someone’s a little territorial. Isn’t that cute, though?”
“Sorry, Rowan. I’m not sure what’s up with her.”
“It’s fine. I’d get territorial too.” He winked at me and gave me a little wave. “But seriously, think about it. A shot of her and you would be amazing. Toodles!”
Rowan left in a flurry of perfume and good intentions, and I exhaled, my cheek to the crown of Ivy’s head. She was an angel. Did she cling to everyone like that?
“Looks like you scared him off,” I murmured to Ivy.
She smiled like she knew exactly what she’d done.
Still holding her, I grabbed a slice of the sprinkle cake she’d liked, thanked Ronnie for the sample, then made my way toward the front of the store, where Hudson was unloading groceries onto the conveyor belt.
“There you are.” He reached to take Ivy. “I was getting worried I’d need to call the sheriff’s office.”
Ivy tucked herself tighter into my side, arms locking around my neck like a stubborn little koala.
Hudson blinked. “Hey, Bug, come to Daddy. I’m sure Matt is quite busy.”
She shook her head, one fist tightening in my shirt.
“Took the day off.” I smiled at the child wedging her way into my heart. “It’s fine. She’s not doing any harm.”
“I’m sorry. She’s not always this clingy with strangers.”
