Page 10 of Just One More Temptation

As much as he respected Charlie’s need to follow her dreams, Noah hated what her absence did to his kids. They missed her so much sometimes it gutted him.

“Tell me about what your mom is doing in Egypt,” Fallon said.

Most women wouldn’t think to ask about their mother and he shot her a grateful look. How did Fallon know his girls needed to talk about Charlie and not bury their feelings down deep?

“She’s on an archaeological dig,” Dakota said, her eyes bright as always when talking about Charlie’s work. She was enthralled with learning and unfortunately, the more gruesome parts of the dig, including skeletons.

“She sifts through dirt carefully so they don’t ruin the ancient artfacts,” Dylan added.

“Artifacts,” he corrected, catching the amused lift of Fallon’s full lips.

“Can I get you something to drink?” A young, new-to-the-diner, female server walked over to their table.

The girls gave their milkshake order, Noah adding on his and Fallon’s.

“Thanks. I’ll give you some time to look at the menu and come back,” the waitress said and turned to go get their drinks.

“Can we order? I’m starving,” Dakota said, drawing out the whine on the last word.

The server paused and shifted her stance, waiting for a decision.

He shook his head. “How about you let Fallon look at the menu first? Just because we come here all the time doesn’t mean she knows what she wants to eat.”

Fallon placed a hand on his arm, her long fingers curling around his jacket, and damn if he didn’t feel as if she’d singed the skin beneath.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I already know what I want. A hamburger and fries, please.”

“See?!” Dakota said.

He groaned and gave their standing orders. The server departed with their menus.

“So where were we?” Fallon asked.

“Talking about Mom’s work. Did you know that after someone died, ancient Egyptians pulled out the brains by sticking special needles up their noses?”

“Eew!” Dylan said.

Dakota shifted so her knees were under her and leaned across the table in excitement. Noah gave herthe lookand she reseated herself in the booth.

“That’s… fascinating?” Fallon asked, in search of a suitable adjective and obviously she wasn’t sure hers was the right one.

“Dakota, not at the dinner table, okay?” Noah chided his daughter. Nobody needed to eat with the idea of pulling out dead people’s brains on their minds.

His daughter folded her arms across her chest and flopped back against the seat with an exaggerated huff. “Fine.”

“You can tell me more about the process later,” Fallon said.

Noah couldn’t help but admire her patience.

The food came out of the kitchen quickly and everyone ate. In between they talked, all discussion of brains forgotten.

He had to remind Dakota not to talk with food in her mouth twice which he considered a positive record.

Dylan pushed for more information about the painting she’d fallen in love with, which led Fallon to ask the girls if they’d like to take a lesson with her. Their excitement for the idea was palpable. Dylan’s questions led him to believe he might have a budding artist on his hands, her talent to be determined.

Fallon talked about her dream of owning her own gallery one day and he realized how wrong he’d been about thinking she was flighty in nature. When Dylan asked if all her paintings were in the gallery, she’d shaken her head. She had more at home and two she’d donated to a silent auction for foster children who aged out of the system. Every word she said impressed him more.

“Can we talk about ancient Egyptians and how they mummify dead people now?” Dakota asked.

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