Page 49 of Stables

“In my chair, Mommy?” She doesn’t look up, so her words are muffled against her sleeve.

I find myself meeting Dixon’s eyes, then looking away.

“I can’t lift you up yet, sweety. Want to sit at the table? Like a grownup?” I hate that I can’t pick up my own daughter.

It brings a well of tears.

This is so damn frustrating.

“No. Uppie.” Her voice rises in pitch.

Dixon leans himself away slightly.

Great, maybe he doesn’t really like kids.

But his fingers wrap around the leg of the highchair, then he drags it away from the table. “Can I pick you up and put you in?” he asks her quietly.

She nods against my thigh before straightening and reaching for him.

His fingers overlap around her tiny frame as he lifts her and pivots.

I can’t believe she goes in so peacefully. There have been days where she fights me to get in, or plays limp noodle and refuses to thread her feet into the holes.

Pushing myself to my feet, it’s hard not to feel strange with having him do something so simple, yet so revealing.

Paisley doesn’t trust anyone besides Libby. She’s even shied away from Matt since she was old enough to recognize him.

“You should call your friend, see if she can come by for at least a little while today.” Dixon takes my seat and pulls his drink to his lips, watching me over the rim.

An uncomfortable flutter runs through my stomach at the idea of him leaving.

He makes me feel safer.

“Sure, I think she was planning on it anyway,” I say as nonchalantly as I can.

He doesn’t need to know I’m fighting every instinct to start bawling and clinging to him.

“I’ll go check on the horses, then I have to head home for a little while.”

Wait.

Does he have a girlfriend? A wife?

Why didn’t I think to ask that?

“Um, Dixon, if you have other obligations, you don’t have to—”

He waves his hand as he stands, towering over me as he steps close enough to set his empty jar by the sink. “I’m picking up my pistol and a change of clothes. I’ll be ready for that asshole next time.”

His teeth grit before he pushes out through the unbroken half of the sliding glass door.

A wave of heat rushes through me.

He’s willing tokillfor me?

Why does that make my belly tighten in a way I haven’t felt in a very long time.

Chapter 14

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