Page 36 of Blade

“A real minute, or a dad minute?”

I tried to hide my smile at the sass. Chrissy was definitely Ryder’s daughter.

“I just have to finish up a couple of things, then we can read.”

“I can read to them if you have something you need to do.”

“Daddy, you go do your work. Beck will read to us.” Each girl grabbed a hand and started dragging me to the couch.

“Beck, you don’t have to.”

“I don’t mind, really. Go do what you need to. We’ll be right here.”

“If you’re sure?”

“Daddy, she already said it like twenty times. She’s sure.”

I looked at Ryder with a grin. “Go on, we’ll be fine.”

Ryder moved toward the back of the store while the girls and I snuggled into the couch to read a book. I had a girl sitting on either side, huddled into me. We were a few pages into the book when the bell over the door jingled.

“Who the fuck are you?”

The girls and I jumped at the angry voice.

“Avery!” Chrissy said.

Tabitha jumped from the couch before I could grab her as she ran to the woman.

“Well? Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing with my girls?”

I stood up as Chrissy replied, “This is Beck, she’s Daddy’s friend. And you said a bad word, Avery. Twice.”

She held up two fingers toward the girl.

I looked at the woman, or should I say, girl. She looked about Lily’s age. She was pretty, but she certainly wasn’t Tammi.

“Your girls? You don’t look like Tammi.”

She picked up Tabitha and set her on her hip. Motioning for Chrissy to come to her as the girl walked over.

“We don’t say that name here. She lost the right to these girls when she walked out on them. So, I ask again, who are you?”

“Calm down, Avery, Beck is a friend. She’s not trying to steal your girls from you.” Ryder walked in like nothing happened. Like this girl hadn’t just walked in and dropped the f-bomb in front of his children twice.

“Beck, this is Avery. The girls’ nanny. Avery, this is Beck. We grew up together. Beck also knew Tammi, and never liked her, if that helps.”

“It does.” Avery smiled and stepped forward with her hand out. “Sorry, I get a little overprotective when it involves my girls.”

I shook her hand and replied, “I can forgive you for looking out for these two.”

“Avery, do you think you and the girls could hang out here and mind the store? I have somewhere I want to take Beck. When we get back, we can head out and get some pizza.”

Avery looked between Ryder and me.

“Uh, sure.” She gathered the girls, and I felt like she wanted to take back that smile and apology she gave me just a few minutes ago.

Don’t worry, dear Avery, I’m not after your girls or their dad.

---