Digger stands behind his niece’s chair not smiling, and even Darcy is flicking her cheese cubes around on her plate with her fingernail and studying my daughter across the table.
When the kids have finished eating, they go outside and run around the old playground a while. Noel helps the mothers clean and pack the leftovers, and she gives Ms. Moody a small gift.
Standing by the fence, I’m watching Dove sit on top of a dome-shaped climbing area when Digger stalks up beside me. “Well played, Rhodes. I guess you think you got me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I had a good year, and I want the kids to be safe.”
“We all do.” He smiles insincerely. “Will you attempt to buy Noel while you’re buying the rest of the town?”
Anger tightens my chest, and I take a step closer. “Still after my girl, Hayes? When are you going to get it through your head she’s mine?”
“I don’t see a ring, and clearly you can afford one. Perhaps Noel has finally come to her senses and seen you for what you are. Money won’t change that.”
“You should know better than anyone.”
“I know some people better than anyone.”
My fist clenches, but Noel’s voice cuts through the tension. “Everything okay over here?”
Her soft hand covers my fist, and I glance down at her. The red sweater she’s wearing makes her cheeks glow, and her lips are stained with a pretty red lipstick. She’s so fucking gorgeous, and that asshole Digger has my number.
I’ve been working my tail off to prove to her I’ve changed, but no amount of money can make up for the hurt I caused her. She’ll have to decide if she’s ever going to forgive me, and so far, it hasn’t happened.
“Just chatting. Happy Thanksgiving, Noel.”
Her eyes glide between him and me, but she accepts Digger’s explanation. “Happy Thanksgiving to you.”
“Ready to head back?” She looks up at me, and I don’t know if it’s what Digger said or my wishful thinking, but something seems different.
Mindy leads the girls to the truck and Dove climbs inside quietly. Noel gives Mindy a hug, and she invites us over for Thanksgiving dinner. We’re all quiet on the drive back to the house. Dove falls asleep in her booster chair, and I carry her upstairs to the bedroom she never uses, tucking her beneath the pink ballerina blanket.
Noel leans on the bar, reading a thick book, her hands around a mug of coffee when I re-enter the kitchen.
“Does she seem okay to you?”
Her eyes flicker up from what I see is a recipe book. “Why?”
“She’s always talking about something. I’ve never seen her be this quiet before.”
“Does she have a fever?” Noel puts her mug down and starts for the door.
I’m right behind her feeling foolish. Why didn’t I think of that?
Noel goes straight to her bedside and puts her hand on our little girl’s forehead, moving it down to her neck. Then she leans over and puts her lips on her head. Dove exhales a sigh and rolls over, still asleep.
“She feels fine to me. Probably just exhausted from all the excitement.” We’re back out in the hall, and Noel pulls the door almost closed. “You were really great today. That gift was…” She shakes her head. “Unexpected.”
We walk slowly down the short hall then descend the stairs with her leading the way. I think about her and Dove and warm pride swells in my chest. Fuck Digger. These girls are mine. I just have to show them I’m here for the long haul.
“It felt like a good place to start. I can do more…”
At the bottom of the stairs she stops and smiles up at me. I take the last step, which puts me right in front of her. Her pretty head is at the level of my chest, and I want to pull her close. I want to bury my face in her hair and kiss her neck. She still wears the scented lotion we made together.
“Like what?” Her voice is soft, her eyes fixed on mine.
It’s the closest to an invitation I’ve had since I got back, and I lean closer. She doesn’t pull away. “I’d like to kiss you.”
Amber eyes blink to my mouth, and her tongue slips out to touch her bottom lip. Heat surges below my belt, and I slide my hands up her arms, ready to pull her to me. My throat is tight, and I quickly realize Dove is asleep, the house is otherwise empty.
I can still taste the warmth of her mouth. I want to taste her everywhere. She exhales a soft noise, a quiet yes, and a loud knock on the door makes her jump.
We step completely apart when the kitchen door opens. “Noel? You around?”
“Deacon.” She shakes her head. “I asked him to come over and look at the books for me.”
She hurries into the kitchen, and I fall forward, leaning my forehead against the wall and sliding my hand over the bulge in the front of my jeans. So close…
Noel spends the afternoon discussing finances with Deacon, and I’m impressed by the numbers I hear them throwing around. I realize Noel doesn’t need to stay in this house with her brothers. She’s here because she wants to be, because they’re family.
My girl is an incredibly successful businesswoman, and it makes me proud. She doesn’t need me to save her or Dove, and it makes me want to earn her kiss even more.
I remember what Leon said long ago about her being serious-minded. He still hasn’t forgiven me. Sawyer had a conversation with him, but the most I get is a passing greeting from him. He still watches me like a hawk or ignores me completely—like all through dinner.
My little mouseling remains unusually subdued through the meal. Her mother says she’s not sick, but by story time, I’m ready to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
She sits beside me on the couch instead of her usual climbing into my lap, and I hold the book a second before scooting around to face her.
“Is everything okay?”
Her blue eyes are on her hands, and she nods.
I’m not a child psychologist, and I’ve only known Dove a few weeks. Still, I’m pretty sure that’s a no disguised as a yes.
“I thought you were really great in your play today. I didn’t know pilgrims could sing so well.”
A slight smile curls her lips, but it’s gone just as fast. I hesitate a moment, but I open the book to the first page, where Mr. Mouseling is working on a story for the Mouseland Gazette. I start to read when Dove interrupts me.
“Angelina looks just like Mr. Mouseling. Except for his glasses.” She puts her little finger on his face, and my throat tightens.
“It’s true. They look alike, except Angelina’s a girl.”
Her round eyes meet mine. “Ms. Moody called you my daddy, but Mamma said you’re Uncle Sawyer’s Marine friend.”
Closing the book, I shift in my seat, doing my best to swallow the hard lump in my throat. “It’s true.”
She blinks a few times as if waiting for me to say more. Only, I’m not sure what to say. I want to call her mom to come help, but I don’t want to lose her trust.
“Uncle Sawyer was always here.”
She doesn’t say it, but I feel her question. Where was I?
I push my hair back and lean forward, getting closer to her level. “Remember that time when we were talking about princes and pretending?”