Page 38 of The Naughty Elf

When we reach the kitchen, I spot Ginger. Her hands are fists on the counter, jaw set, eyes narrowed on Bennett as he smiles at Gracie despite her tears.

Tightness twists in my chest at the sight. I don’t like seeing children cry. I never know how to make them stop.

“Bennett.” Genevieve swats at him. “Let the poor girl feel her feelings. You can make her promises later. Let Mom talk to her. We will eat something sweet and wallow in our woes.”

When Ginger turns, everything else falls away. Our eyes lock, and I force myself to stay where I am because my first instinct is to pull her into my arms. Her features soften, and she smiles a muted version of her usual grin.

I step closer, little by little. “Why is Gracie heartbroken?”

“An emergency on the ranch. It means we’ve had to cancel our annual end-of-year camping trip to the falls with Dad.” Her mouth twists with disappointment, and she glances at Gracie between her parents.

I don’t give myself time to convince myself it’s a bad idea before I blurt out, “I can take you.”

Ginger’s teal eyes blink at me for a moment, stunned. “We leave first thing in the morning.”

“Okay.” My blood is thrumming as she steps closer, her hand finding my forearm.

“Are you sure?”

Gracie’s tears have stopped. “You’ll take Momma and me?”

Those bright eyes are the mirrors of her mother's. I swallow hard and nod.

“We’re going to the falls.” Her voice picks up in a singsong cadence, and Genevieve pats her cheek.

“Now, Grandpa can stay here and be warm, and you can go nearly freeze to death in the wilderness.Grand.”

Ginger finally smiles wide with a little chuckle, her hand still squeezing my arm.

I smile back, and she pokes the corner of my lip. I love it when she touches me. My hand turns, cupping her elbow, rubbing the fabric there between my fingers.

“Want to come check out the gear? Stay for dinner? I’m going to owe you big for this.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“Stay for dinner anyway,” Ginger says, glowing and pink-cheeked.

“Only if I can help.”

“Like I’m going to turn down that offer.” She turns toward her parents and plants her fists on her hips. “Are you staying here with Grandma for dinner, or are you coming with me?”

Gracie contemplates her mother very seriously. “How long until dinner?”

“You know how long it usually takes me to make dinner, young lady.”

She lets out a puff of air through loose lips, making a funny noise. “An hour and a half. Can we watch one episode of our show?”

“As long as Grandma packs you more snacks than she lets you eat. No spoiling dinner.”

“I can do that,” Genevieve says. “Go make your culinary masterpiece.”

Ginger nods toward the door. “Give me a ride.”

It’s a good excuse to keep touching her, nodding to Bennett, and guiding her to the door. He meets us there, clapping me on the back.

“Thanks for taking care of my girls. I really appreciate this.”

I nod. “Of course.”

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