“That was amazing.”
Jon leaned over the bench, his face inches from Trinity’s. Surprise shone in her eyes at his abrupt appearance. “I think you are absolutely the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.” He kissed her softly.
“What about me, Daddy?”
He stared down at his daughter. “You’re fantastic, baby.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Did you have enough to eat?”
“I ate the whole brownie.” She held her arms out wide to show him how big a brownie she devoured.
“Trinity spoiled you.”
“It was sooo good.” And Emmy looked happy now that she was away from Steph.
“And you didn’t save even one bite for me.”
Emmy shook her head and pointed at her chest. “Trinity gave it to me.”
“We need to work on your sharing.” He grinned down at her despite her lack of generosity where brownies were concerned.
“Maybe she’ll bring you one next time.”
He really hoped he got a next time. Which meant he needed to break the bad news to Trinity, who now sat on the bench turned toward Emmy.
“It’s getting late,” she said. “We should get you home and ready for bed.”
Wait. “What?”
“I’m sure you’ve got something in your fridge I can turn into dinner while you give her a bath and read her stories.”
“Trinity, you don’t need to do that.”
“Thursday night is date night with Emmy, right?” She held out the edge of the skirt of her dress. “I wore my pretty dress to show her.”
He was sure that sexy black number with the deep V neckline was just for him.
She stood and held her hand out to Emmy. “We should go.”
The apartment door behind him opened. “Jon,” Steph called out.
He didn’t even bother to turn around before he followed the swing of Trinity’s hips as she walked away. He caught up and took her hand, ready for another date night in with her.
What he wouldn’t give to have her stay the night with him, too.
Chapter Fourteen
By the time he finished bathing Emmy and getting her ready for bed, his whole house smelled like spicy beef and melted cheese. Trinity took the pound of ground beef, a tomato, the jar of jalapeños, a block of cheddar, and the bag of tortilla chips he had on hand and started turning them into oven-baked nachos. It wasn’t the Italian meal he still owed her, but it made his stomach rumble.
The long drive home gave him time to let his anger wane. It still simmered in the background. He needed to give some serious thought to what he was going to do about Steph and Emmy. This couldn’t go on.
“Did you pick your three books?”
Emmy turned from her bookcase with four in her arms. “I can’t decide which to put back.”
She gave him the sad face he couldn’t ignore and he caved. As usual. “Let’s do four then.”
She dumped the books on her bed. “I have to say good-night to Trinity.” She ran from the room.
He went after her and caught up just in time to see Emmy throw her arms around Trinity’s gorgeous legs.
“Good night, Trinity.”
“Thank you for dinner and the brownie,” he prompted her.
“Thank you.” She tilted her head way back to look up at Trinity. “Will you bring me a brownie every time I see you?”
“I’ll try, but sometimes it may not be possible.” Trinity leaned down and rubbed her nose against Emmy’s. “I had fun stargazing with you.”
“Me too. Do it again next date-night-with-Emmy?”
Trinity giggled. “Sounds good. Now, off to bed with you.”
“You read stories, not Daddy.”
“Sweet girl, Trinity just cooked dinner. She’s had a long day. I’ll read to you.”
Emmy held Trinity’s hand. “No. Her.”
“I don’t mind.” She opened the oven door, revealing two plates of nachos. “Why don’t you take yours and eat.”
He stared into her beautiful blue eyes. “I’ll wait for you.”
“You must be starving.”
For her, yes. That dress. Those legs. Her sweet smile. All of it tempted him. She made him so damn hungry. “Let’s put her to bed, then have dinner together.”
Emmy smiled with her victory and ran for her room.
Jon stopped Trinity before she followed. Before he said anything, Trinity put her fingers over his lips. “Don’t thank me. I’m glad you called. I wouldn’t have wanted Emmy to spend another second alone while you drove all the way to town. Your ex is something else.”
He rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it. She was so good with Emmy when she was a baby. I never worried about things then. But now . . .” He shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around how things had deteriorated to Steph not caring that she left their sweet girl alone like that.
“It’s none of my business, but . . .”
“What?” He really wanted to hear what she had to say.
“If you don’t do something about it, it’s as good as you saying what she’s doing is okay.”
He feared Emmy felt that way, too.
Trinity leaned in and kissed him. Best thing to happen to him all night. “You’re a great father, Jon. She loves being with you. You brought her here to put her first. Do that.”
He wanted to, but . . . “It’s complicated. Emmy deserves time with her mother.”
“Does her mother deserve time with Emmy?”
The turnabout took him aback. He hadn’t really thought about it in that way. He didn’t want to deny Emmy her mom. That relationship was important and essential. He loved and missed his mom and wished she was still here to give him advice and the support he could always count on. But if Steph couldn’t take care of Emmy and be the kind of mom she needed, maybe she didn’t deserve to see Emmy.
Trinity patted his tight chest with her palm. “No one is saying cut her off completely from Emmy. But does she need to have Emmy for days at a time?”
He sighed. “No. She doesn’t.” So many changes. Moving from California. His father moving. Renovating the ranch. Meeting Trinity. Now possibly taking on being a full-time single father.
He could do it all. It was just a lot all at once and in such a short time. He needed his brain to catch up.
“Looks like I’m facing another battle with Steph.”
“Emmy is worth it.”
“Absolutely.” No doubt. But he didn’t look forward to Steph fighting him for her parental rights. She loved Emmy, and despite how hard and unfulfilling she found taking care of her, she wouldn’t back down when it came to having her time with Emmy.
“It doesn’t need to be a fight. If she can’t tend to Emmy’s basic needs and provide a safe environment for her, then you will.”
He’d have to prove his case in court, and even when he did the courts tended to give parents a chance to prove themselves and often sided with the mother.
His lawyer had advised him of that when they made the original agreement and the changes prior to the move.
But after what happened tonight, he’d push the matter for Emmy’s sake.