Page 17 of The Texas Cowboy's Proposal

Beaudry stood, reaching for the hand net. “A little closer, and I’ll get a scoop on him.”

The fish’s nose broke water, and with a quick movement, Beaudry netted him and the two of them brought the fighting fish onto the bank. “Let’s measure him, Daddy. He’s really big.”

The measuring tape came out of the tackle box. Lacy had also been taught all the rules involved in fishing, including the need for a license, which she had treated like a special award in itself. Quickly, he measured the fish. The sigh of letdown was deep and combined from them both.

“It’s a half-inch too short. I’m sorry, Lacy.”

She shook her head. “I know. It’s rules. But he did put up a good fight. And I’ll catch him again when he is bigger.” A couple of minutes later, the fish had been pardoned and disappeared into the depths of the pond once more. They sat side by side, sharing a couple of cold bottles of water.

“I’m proud of your attitude about the fish.”

“Well, it’s the law. You always said that counted first. I did really want to keep it though. What if we don’t catch anything else?”

“Well, Seraphina did bail us out, just in case. So we won’t starve.” They both shared a laugh.

“Will we see Miss Sammi Jo again soon?” That question caught him off guard for a second. But how surprising that his daughter had the woman in her thoughts... much at the same time he had them. He took another sip of the water.

“I expect we will see her soon again. In fact, I’m taking her to dinner tomorrow evening while you’re at your scout meeting. Uncle Jax will be taking you and picking you up. You okay with me doing that? Taking her to dinner?”

Lacy looked up at him with a considering silence for a moment. Then a slow grin appeared. “Is she going to be your girlfriend? Because that is okay if she is. I just wanted to say that.”

Beaudry took in the information with a slow nod.You opened the door, now what?He took another sip before taking the next step.

“We’re friends. I think we’re good friends even. We haven’t decided on being boyfriend-girlfriend yet. But what do you think if we were to do that?”

“Dad, is this one of those talks like some of my friends have had to go through with their mom or dad about them having a boyfriend or girlfriend? Because it’s kinda weird and all.”

“Weird in that you don’t like the idea?”

Lacy let out a sigh and shook her head. “Sometimes parents do ask crazy stuff. But I like her a lot. She treats me nice and talks to me about all kinds of stuff we both like. She really doesn’t treat me like I’m a kid she has to be nice to because of you. She likes me, and I like her... but I do so hope you like her a lot and then she could like you a lot and then...” Her voice trailed off.

Beaudry digested the conversation to that point. It was enlightening. “And then you hope for something more? Lacy, have you missed having a mom in your life? Have you missed not getting to know about your real mom?”

She vehemently shook her head, her twin pigtails almost giving her whiplash. “No way. I don’t really think about having a real mom. She didn’t want to be my mom and that’s okay. But it would be nice to have a mom someday—the right one. Someone kinda nice and smart and pretty like Miss Sammi Jo. And she would have to be really nice to you too. Because I love you and want you to be happy. And she has to like Beast and Uncle Jax and even fishing.”

“Well.” Beaudry grinned as he met her gaze. “Not too many ladies tend to like fishing. We can’t hold that against her if she doesn’t.”

“True. Then it will just be something you and me can do together. And maybe she and I would do something together that you don’t like doing, and that would be okay too.”

“Sounds like you have things all figured out.”

“Kids can do that a lot faster than a lot of grown-ups, Dad. So, how much do you like her? Have you told her you like her? You should do that. And that she is pretty. Girls like that sort of thing.”

Here he had come to have some time and a talk with his eight, almost nine, daughter. And she ended up being the one to put the discussion into perspective in less than five minutes. Her advice was solid. So how did he go about figuring out if the lady in question couldlikehim back? He was tempted to ask his smart daughter but figured that would be too much information he might not be able to handle. Shaking his head, he simply leaned over and gave Lacy a hug that said it all.

Now he had to figure out what Sammi Jo might have to say.

Chapter Eight

“I’m sorry, SammiJo. I hated to do this on such short notice and all, let alone do it at all.” Beaudry’s tone was sincere and apologetic.

Truth be told, Sammi had fretted over the prospect of a dinner date with Beaudry—alone—since he’d made the invitation three days prior. And not to mention how many changes in wardrobe she had gone through just that morning alone. But when the phone rang and it was Beaudry, explaining he had to cancel out on the evening, instead of the breath of relief, she now felt a twinge of disappointment at the prospect of the evening ahead with just herself for company.

But Beaudry was a dad who took his parenting responsibilities squarely on his own shoulders. Someone else might have not let a little bit of fever and cough interrupt their plans and left the child in the company of a babysitter anyway.

“I totally understand. The most important thing is that Lacy gets to feeling better. And I’m sure having you there will speed that up too. I know she doesn’t want to miss a moment of fair week coming up. And there are plenty of other days to have dinner plans.”

“The fact that you are willing to reset our plans and give me another chance to show my charming side sounds hopeful, at least.”

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