Page 16 of A Secret Promise

"But...I can't date him just yet."

—-only to feel deflated the next moment.

"Why can't you date him?" Riley forced herself to ask.

"Because I made a promise to God."

Knew it,Riley thought glumly. Vixen had standards, as she should have. And obviously, Riley and her dad—-

"I can only date the man God wants me to marry."

—-still had a fighting chance, yeeeeees!

Riley couldn't help it. Shedidstart jumping for joy this time, which in turn had Vixen laughing since Riley's contagious enthusiasm had both Salt and Light chirping like mad.

Riley insisted on helping around in the cafe for the rest of the day, and seeing this set off another round of teasing. Even Riley this time wasn't spared, with everyone asking her about whether she thought Vixen would transform into a villainous stepmother like often seen in films.

Vixen covered Riley's ears at that, complaining, "Stop trying to corrupt her, you guys!"

But this only had everyone patting Riley's head in sympathy and telling her she had their sincerest condolences.Vixen already has you working in her cafe, unpaid! She'll soon turn you into Cinderella if you're not careful!

Memories of such banter had Riley working hard to keep herself from grinning while she waited for Vixen to lock up. All her life, it had always been just her and her parents. But living in Lavender Cove was like being part of this huge family, and shelovedit.

Vixen turned to her with a smile. "All done. Thanks for waiting. Can I drive you home?"

"Only if you also promise to have dinner with us?"

"Um..."

"Please?"

"Shouldn't you check with your dad first?" Vixen asked.

Riley rolled her eyes."Duh.My dad wants todateyou. Do you really think he'd get mad if you join us for dinner?"

Five

VIXEN STARTED SECOND-guessing herself as soon as she slid behind the driving wheel.This isn't good. This is bad. This is crazy.

But since the thoughts sounded more like her voice thanHis...

Vixen turned to her passenger with a smile. "So, Brook Hall, right?"

"Uh huh."

"I hope you enjoy living there, so far?"

"I do. And..."

Vixen looked at the teenager curiously. "And?"

"You know it can be your house, too, right?"

Vixen choked.

"If you marry my dad, that is."

A helpless laugh escaped Vixen at Riley's single-minded focus on making her point. "Your dad and I still have ways to go at the getting-to-know department, and so do the two of us."

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