I dig through my purse for a brush and some elastic bands I always keep in there for Leia.
“I’m going to get this one started,” Nash calls to me, then looks at Leia. “You ready?”
“I was born ready,” she says, deadly serious.
It makes him chuckle. “That’s what I like to hear.”
“She can ride Biscuits, Nash!” Wren shouts.
I sit on the table, legs bracketing Wren’s sides, and brush out the tangled chaos of her hair.
“She’s riding Sparkles,” Nash says.
Leia’s eyes widen as she spots the black pony, then she turns to look at me. “Mom!”
“I know.”
“What?” Wren asks, trying to turn around, but I straighten her.
“Her horse in California looked just like Sparkles.”
“Really?” Wren’s legs swing under the table.
I want to ask her where her dad is tonight. Is he on a date? He doesn’t wear his wedding band anymore. Maybe he goes outside of Willowbrook to date. I hate the jealous feeling that’s growing inside me.
“Nash said you went to school with them,” Wren says.
“I did.”
“You’re Aunt Poppy’s friend?”
“I am.”
“And Daddy’s high school girlfriend?”
My fingers freeze.
“I heard Emmett and Daddy talking.”
“That was a long time ago.”
She shrugs. “I know. Before my mommy.”
“Yep.” I try to keep the emotion from my tone. This is a little girl who probably misses her mom and doesn’t need to hear my jealousy that her dad picked her mother.
“Everyone wants my dad to get married again. They think he’s lonely.”
I should not be having this conversation with her. I glance at Levi, who’s cheering Leia on by the fence.
“Well, that’s his decision, right?”
“You’re pretty.”
“Thanks.” My fingers work fast to finish the braid, desperate to end this conversation.
“I told my daddy to ask you out.”
My fingers tremble. I wish I could scream at Levi to get over here and save me. “Oh… well…”
