“Mischa wants to have Lara over for a sleepover,” Joan said. “The shire is putting on a screening of the latest Disney movie on Friday, so if it works for you, Lara could come with us and then stay over.”
He hesitated. Lara hadn’t liked being apart from him since the car crash, had insisted adamantly they continue their reading ritual. And he needed the comfort it provided too. “Let me chat to her about it.”
“OK.”
Darcy strolled closer to the rails to watch. Lara rode Starlight next to Jordan and spoke animatedly to him. Darcy grinned. Lara had recently admitted to him that Jordan made her feel all funny in her tummy. Even from here, he could see Lara’s cheeks were red.
He rubbed his chest. It wouldn’t be long before he’d be explaining to her what boys were after. Was he ready for that?
When class finished, Lara rode over, flushed with her success. “Did you see me jump, Dad?”
“Yep. We might have to set up some for you at home.”
“That would be awesome!” She rode over to the trailer and set to work caring for her horse.
Darcy followed her. “Joan asked if you wanted to go to the movies with them on Friday night and then sleep over afterwards.”
Lara hesitated. “By myself?”
He hated her nerves. Before the car accident, she wouldn’t have hesitated. “Yeah, pumpkin.”
She bit her lip. “But what if something happens at the Ridge?”
He wanted to tell her nothing would, but she’d already seen the sheep. “Then I’ll call you.”
She glanced over to where Mischa was with her mother, laughing at something. He could tell she wanted to go. “How about you say yes, and then if after the movie you change your mind, I’ll come and pick you up?”
“But it’s a long way into town.”
“No distance is too far for you, pumpkin.”
She flung herself at him, knocking him back a step with her hug. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you more, pumpkin.”
Lara raced over to her friend. “Dad said I can come to your place on Friday!”
He chuckled and brushed Lara’s horse. Faith was chatting to some parents, so he’d catch her before they left. Maybe she’d be free Friday night.
Lara returned and helped him load Starlight into the horse float. Faith was still surrounded by parents.
“Are we going home, Dad?” Lara asked.
“Yeah. I wanted to ask Faith something before we go.”
“Are you going to ask her on a date?”
He jolted and stared at her. “What makes you ask that?”
“Natasha said the only reason Faith came riding with me was because she wanted to get into your pants.” Lara frowned. “But your pants wouldn’t fit her, so it doesn’t make sense.”
He thanked the Gods Lara was still innocent enough not to understand the phrase. “It means something else for people who are dating.”
“What?”
He’d promised himself years ago he would answer all her questions honestly. He sighed. “It refers to having sex.”
Lara’s eyes widened. “Ew, gross. Does Faith want to have sex with you?” Her voice carried in the still evening air and Faith glanced in their direction.
