English jumped to her feet. “It sounds like you’re buying a horse. I’m not a horse.” Her actions made me want to laugh as they reminded me of a child’s because she looked so damn cute. I didn’t say a word though because I figured it would further inflame her.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t meant to sound like that,” I answered in a calm tone. “What I meant was is that if I came up with a monetary figure that wasn’t agreeable to you, we could discuss it. That’s all.”
Blue-green eyes met mine and I knew she was caving. Not caving to agree, but caving to consider it. I had to remind myself to take baby steps.
“Okay, I’ll think about it, but I can’t promise you anything more than that.”
“It’s all I’m asking.”
We both heard footsteps running from the stairway and our attention was diverted.
“Mr. Trishan!” Easton ran full force toward me and flew onto my lap. This kid liked me, so I had that on my side.
“Hey, sport.”
“I’m not a sport. I’m a princess.”
“Yes, you are, and I can tell by your crown.”
“Silly, it’s not a crown, it’s a tiara. Are you staying for dinner?”
“I just might. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. Will you play Cinderella with me? You can be the mean stepmom.”
“Why should I be the mean stepmom?”
“Cuz I’m gonna be Cinderella, silly.”
“Oh. Can’t I be the prince?”
“Nope. You’re too old.”
“Hmm. I guess I’m the mean stepmom then.”
“Mr. Trishan, are you gonna marry my mommy?”
Oh, man. This was falling right into my lap. I really shouldn’t, but how could I pass up an opportunity like this? “Do you want me to?”
“Yes. She’s real pretty and she needs a daddy.”
“I think you mean a husband.”
Easton clapped her hands and said, “Yeah, that. A hussand.”
“You know something? I’d love to marry your mommy but I’m not sure if she wants to marry me.”
“Why not?”
“I think because she’s not ready.”
Easton turned to English and asked, “Mommy, why aren’t you ready to marry Mr. Trishan?”
“Peanut, that’s not something you ask someone.”
“Why not?”
“It just isn’t. Where is Rey? You two are supposed to be playing.”
“She’s on the phone and she won’t play Cinderella with me. She only wants me to kick the ball.” Easton swung her arms back and forth as she stared at English.
“Maybe that’s what you should do.”
“But I don’t like it. I want to play princess instead.”
Maybe if I said something it would help. “Easton, sometimes it helps to broaden your interests. Do you know what that means?”
Her head moved side to side as she gazed at me with her huge eyes.
“It means that sometimes it’s more fun than you think to try out different things. Then you find other things that you like. If you never try things, you won’t learn new ideas or activities. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, but I played the ball with Rey and she doesn’t let me kick it much. She just makes me chase it and bring it back to her so she can kick it.”
Sounded like Rey was using Easton for a ball girl.
“Mommy will talk to Rey right now.” English went outside, leaving me alone with Easton.
“Are you really going to marry Mommy?”
“You might need to ask her that. I’d like to, but she has to decide if she wants to marry me.”
“Can we all marry you?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t think of marrying her and not including you.”
“Yay.” Easton jumped and clapped her hands again. “We’re getting married to Mr. Trishan.”
“You better wait and let your mommy decide if that’s going to happen.” I had this adorable girl on my side, but I also didn’t want English to despise me for it.
Easton patted my knee. “Don’t worry, Mr. Trishan, I’ll make her do it. Like sometimes when she doesn’t want to go and get ice cream, I talk her into it.”
English came back in with Rey. When they got to where Easton and I were, she nudged Rey.
Rey looked at Easton and said, “Come on, peanut. I promise to let you kick the ball from now on.”
“Nope. I don’t wanna. I wanna practice being a princess because Mr. Trishan is gonna marry Mommy and she’s gonna be a real princess and so am I. We’re gonna get us real princess dresses for that day.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tristian
English’s mouth pressed into one hard line. I would not have been surprised if smoke blew out of her nostrils. It was understandable. She’d left for five minutes and returned to a wedding planned by her daughter. “Easton, where did you hear that?”
“Mr. Trishan told me, Mommy. Didn’t you?”
I wondered what guilt looked like as it was written all over me. “I told her I’d like to marry you, but you’re the one who has to decide.”
“Say you will, Mommy! Say yes and then Mr. Trishan can be my daddy.” Easton did a little spin and then stopped. “Can I still get Bucker if you’re my daddy?”
“Bucker?” What was that?
“He’s only a little Bucker. Banana and Geepa will help.”
An exasperated huff exploded out of English. “Hold on a minute. I never said you could get Bucker.”
“Banana and Geepa did.”
“What’s Bucker?” I asked again.
“A puppy. A little one and he can sleep in my bed.”
Easton grinned and honest to God, with her missing front tooth, I had to quench the laugh that threatened. “I don’t mind Bucker.”
English glowered at me and Easton yelled, “Yay. I get Bucker.” She spun around the room and said, “Mr. Trishan, I’m under the rainbow. Are you?”
Not knowing exactly what that meant, I said yes with the hopes it was a good thing.
“Mommy, me and Mr. Trishan are under the rainbow. Are you?”
English looked like a grizzly bear ready to growl. “Not exactly.”
“Why not, Mommy?” Easton tugged on her leg.
“Because Mommy needs to be asked certain things before they’re agreed upon.” English’s eyes, which had turned into chips of blue ice, froze me in my place, only I happily smiled in return. That would probably piss her off even more, but the child was thrilled. That had to count for something.
With a growl, English said, “Would you two go play soccer? And Rey, remember your promise?”
“Right. C’mon, Easton.” They went out, leaving me with a pissed-off English. Fun times.
Through gritted teeth, she said, “I can’t believe you. You are undermining my authority as a parent.” Spit managed to come out with the p.
“Me? How?”
“Bucker. I don’t want a dog. I can barely keep up with things as is.”
“About that, I think your grandparents were the ones who started it.”