Page 59 of The Sweet Spot

“I was just telling Kennedy how big my family is. One of my uncles actually lives next door. He’s going to be one of your dad’s assistant coaches. He has four kids, and the twins are Kennedy’s age.” A lightbulb goes off in my mind. “My cousin, Raven, lives on the other side of the lake, and she’s your age too. We’ll have to introduce you to them when you’re ready.”

I ignore the fact that my family doesn’t know anything at all about Deacon and push down my own rapidly growing anxiety to try to focus on the little girl sitting next to me and how I can help her.

There will be plenty of time to freak out about telling my family I’m married after tonight.

Isla clasps her hands in front of her, seemingly excited. “That sounds perfect, doesn’t it Kennedy? You’ll be able to have friends before you start your new school.”

Kennedy doesn’t look at either of us before she gets up, brushes off her shorts, and waits patiently to see if Winnie is going to follow her. Maybe sensing Kennedy needs it, Winnie takes her lead and trots after her back to the house.

Isla looks at me, letting her smile fall and her eyes, so similar to Kennedy’s, pool with unshed tears. “Please don’t judge her. She’s such a good kid with such a big heart. Please promise me you’ll try to learn to love her.”

My heart cracks and splinters into a million tiny pieces as I take Isla’s hand in mine. “She’s a kid facing a ton of big changes all at once. I can’t even begin to act like I know what that feels like for a nine-year-old. She’s allowed to process that any way she needs to without ever being judged by me. I just want to be here for her.”

Isla throws her arms around me and cries, “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to live so far away from my baby. Please take care of her. Her and Deacon. I may not love him the way you do, but he’s Kennedy’s dad, and I’ll always love him for giving me her. He deserves to be happy.”

In that moment, it becomes easy to look past Isla’s extroverted facade and see her for what she is right now. A heartbroken mother, trying to do what’s best for her daughter, even if it’s not what’s best for her. And as I hug her back, I wonder if that’s what my own mother has been going through.

Maybe Kennedy coming into my life was meant to be.

Maybe I need this little girl as much as she needs me.

DEACON

“Call if you need me, okay?” Isla pulls Kennedy in for a hug, like she’s leaving for Japan now instead of in a week.

“I’m fine, Mom,” my kid answers in that way kids do when they’re completely over a situation. The plan had been for her to spend the night with me tonight to give her a bit of a feel for the house before she officially moves in next week. Baby steps typically work well for her. But somewhere along the way tonight, Isla got it in her head that it may be too much for Kennedy.

I’m not really sure if it is or not, but my daughter has officially fallen madly in love with Brynlee’s dog, and that may actually be the only reason she wants to stay.

Potato. Po-tah-to.

I don’t give a shit why she’s comfortable enough to stay. I’m just glad she’s not shutting down. If Winnie’s the reason, I’ll treat her better than any dog has ever been treated before. Score one for Brynlee because I’ve got a pretty good feeling that her getting Winnie may have had something to do with Kennedy, even if she’s not admitting it.

This tiny little fearless woman hasn’t stopped surprising me since the day she came back into my life and choked on a damn cherry. And now she’s my wife. Nothing about this summer is going how I was expecting it to go. But it’s surpassed every expectation I’ve had. If all goes well with Kennedy moving in, I may just be the luckiest son of a bitch to ever live.

Isla hugs our daughter one more time, then follows Shaun through the door before Kennedy turns to me. “Can Winnie sleep in my bed tonight?”

Brynlee wraps an arm around my waist, and I can feel the smile that’s growing on her face. If these two ever decide to work together, I’m fucking doomed.

“Winnie’s Brynlee’s dog. You’ll have to ask her,” I let Kennedy know. And my wife inconspicuously slides her hand down and pinches my ass.

Kennedy takes a minute, then looks at Brynlee, who’s currently tucked into my side.

Where she damn well belongs.

“Would it be okay if Winnie sleeps with me, Brynlee?” Her words are soft, but her eye contact is great, and that’s something my girl struggles with. Baby steps. I’ll take that as a win.

“Sure,” Brynn beams. “I happen to have a brand-new dog bed in my car. I just hadn’t brought it in earlier. Should we put that in your room?”

Kennedy nods with excitement sparkling in her eyes.

“How about you go get a shower, and I’ll grab Winnie’s stuff from Brynn’s car.” I wait until she’s at the top of the stairs. “Everything is in the closet in your bathroom.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She disappears down the hall, and I spin Brynlee in my arms. “I think that went pretty well. Don’t you?”

Fuck... I hadn’t realized how relieved I am.

Was it perfect? Hell no.

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