Page 23 of Could Be Worse

“I’ll help Sadie with Tori, Daddy.” Catherine wiggled out from under her blankets, came to me, and took my hand. “I know how to do everything.”

Bryce belted out a hearty laugh and lifted off the floor with Victoria in his arms. My insides turned to warm goo, watching this ruggedly handsome man with his daughters. “Cat could run the house if I let her.”

“He’s right.” Cat grinned up at me. “I’ll go potty, then help you get our breakfast.”

“That would be great,” I replied.

“Go with Cat, sweetie.” He put Tori down, then ran his hand along my arm and elicited goose bumps. “I can tell everything is going to be okay.”

A delicious shiver worked its way down my spine. “Are you sure? Wouldn’t want you worrying at work or asking the sheriff to stop in to check on me.”

“I’m sure.”

We stared at each other. My heart raced as he slowly licked his bottom lip.

I sensed he wanted to push me against the wall and ravage me. I wouldn’t object, but our connection was broken when Cat appeared.

“I’m done!”

“All right, girls. Let’s get you settled. I need to get to work.” He ushered the twins down the hallway, while I caught my breath.

He was a pretty incredible dad, and the feelings I’d had for him last Friday were roaring back. I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad.

After Bryce kissed his daughters good-bye, and I swooned for like the twentieth time in ten seconds, I sat with them at the breakfast table while they ate gluten-free waffles.

Tori had a gluten allergy, and even though Cat could eat regular waffles, Bryce had said it was easier to feed them both a gluten-free diet. It made sense to me. I rarely ate grains, unless I was down in the dumps, like when I ate cheese curds last week.

“Do you like kids?” Cat asked.

“Yes, very much.”

“What about my daddy?”

“He seems like a good dad.”

“He’s the greatest.”

Tori nodded in agreement.

“I can see that he is. What do you do after you finish eating?” I wanted to stay in control of the conversation, sensing it might go down a road that would be uncomfortable.

“We put clothes on and make our beds. Then watch a show for a little bit. Nana Bea always takes us for a walk at ten o’clock.” This child spoke like she was thirty, not only three. Her vocabulary and articulation were outstanding. She blew me away.

“Then we’ll do exactly that. A walk will be fun.” It was a brisk morning, but we needed to seize the good days before winter arrived with its subzero temperatures.

After the girls finished their morning routine, we went for a walk at exactly ten o’clock. And what I meant by walk; I was the only one walking. The girls rode in a red wagon as I pulled them around their neighborhood.

Each time Cat said turn, I obeyed, which might have been a mistake. I couldn’t imagine their nana had gone as far. They might only be three, cute and adorable, and little, but put them together and they were heavy for someone my size or an elderly woman.

The distance on my fitness tracker said a mile and a half by the time we arrived back at their home. Some muscles I hadn’t known I had in my back and arms screamed, not pleased with me for abusing them.

I was burning up despite the chilly air and panting, like I had run a mile instead of walking. As a ballerina, I could dance all day long, but this outing with the twins had kicked my butt.

I couldn’t wait for naptime to arrive so I could collapse on the couch. I might need a heating pad and a massage. The latter wouldn’t happen. Who would I ask to do the honors? Surely not the twins’ father…

Several hours later, Bryce sent me a text.

Bryce: How’s it going?

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