Page 54 of Wild Hearts

He didn't classify it as a date, so it was easy to agree. "Sure."

His brow raised. "I'll have to come up with another trip down memory lane."

"I'm looking forward to that."

Dakota appeared in front of us. "Christopher has to get going, and I'm tired. Can we go home?"

Walker stood. "Absolutely. I'll drop you off first. Then I'll take Addison home."

"Did you enjoy your first time skiing?" I asked Dakota.

"It was nice. I'm not sure about going down a real hill yet, but Christopher told me how to do it."

"I was supposed to teach you how to ski," Walker said.

"You can teach me how to drive," Dakota offered, and I could tell Walker was satisfied by that.

"Deal."

In the parking lot, I waved to Noelle who was idling in her car by the curb, waiting for Christopher.

Then we got into Walker's truck. He dropped Dakota off, promising to be home in a few minutes, then took me home.

"Thanks for the ride," I said as he walked me to the door.

"Walking you to the front door feels very familiar."

"Except this isn't my childhood home, and we aren't teenagers anymore."

He grinned. "Details. Details."

"Those are important ones," I said as we paused in front of the door.

He tipped his head to the side. "Maybe we were always meant to break apart and come back together now. Have you thought about that?"

My emotions clogged my throat. "No."

He touched my face with a drag of knuckles on my cheek. "Maybe you should."

Then he was gone, jogging down the sidewalk to get back to his daughter. That's where his focus should be—on Dakota—not me.

I unlocked the door and when I pushed it open, Walker turned to wave. I couldn't stop the smile that spread over my face. It felt good to be with him when I forgot about the day hetold me so matter-of-factly about his plans, the ones that didn't include bringing along a girlfriend.

I was so hurt. I couldn't see my way out of it for a long time. I felt like I'd been left behind, abandoned, and I never wanted to feel that way again.

On Wednesday night, I stopped by my parents for dinner. Mom was a retired nurse, and Dad still did some consulting work. I tried to stop by at least once a week since my sister worked in Denver and didn't visit often.

"I heard you were seen with Walker Wilde at the farmers market on Sunday," Mom said as soon as I walked in the door.

"Wow. You don't waste any time." I hung up my jacket and hugged my father who was stirring a pot of sauce on the stove.

Dad winked at me. "You know your mother. She wants you girls to get married and have some grandbabies."

"And you don't?"

Dad chuckled. "I let her take the fall for that one."

"You're incorrigible."

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