Page 37 of My Mistake To Make

I nod just once, then turn and leave the bar. I did not fucking need Tristan knowing that my dick is hard for Cara. It’s only a matter of time before Jessie hears about it now—all the more reason to stay the fuck away from Cara McKenzie.

Shit.

‘Hey, Grandma,’ I saybrightly. It’s my weekly Facetime with my grandmother.

‘Hey, honey, where’s my BoBo?’

‘Ah, she’s with her mama today. How are you doing? Settled back in at home after your trip?’

Since my grandpa died, my grandma has spent her life traveling to all the places they never got to visit. She moved out of Forest Falls to a little residential facility near Charleston, but she’s hardly ever there.

‘Yeah, I am. The jetlag was rough there for a while.’

I chuckle and try not to think about Cara and howknackeredshe was when she first arrived.

‘I was thinking Bowie and me could come up and see you this weekend if you’re going to be home.’

‘Oh, honey, yes. I’d love to see you both. You could bring your sisters as well.’

‘I think they both have to work, but I’ll ask them.’

‘Speaking of work, how are you doing up at the farmhouse?’ She smiles widely, knowing how much I always loved that house.

‘Oh, Grandma, it’s great. I can see the old beauty starting to shine through now. We still have a long way to go, but I love it.’

‘And the granddaughter?'

I school my features at the sound of her name. It’s been almost a week since that night at the bar, and I do not need my meddling grandmother picking up on the vibes that took Tristan all of two seconds to figure out.

‘Um, yeah. She’s good, I think. She spends more time with Bree and Zo than me, so they’ll tell you more.’

She nods, a small smile curving her mouth, and I know she thinks she knows something. Fuck me.

‘I better get to work, Grandma. I’ll see you this weekend, okay?’

‘Yes, sweetie. I can’t wait.’

‘Love you.’

I end the call and drag myself out of my truck. Another day at the Reynolds’ house awaits.

‘What the hell do you see in this place?’ The voice behind me makes my balls retreat into my body as I stand and turn to face evil-personified, only to have my attention grabbed by the three-foot wonder running toward me.

‘Daddy,’ Bo calls out, a beaming smile widening her cheeks. I sweep her up into my arms and breathe her in.

‘What are you doing up here?’ I ask, more to her mother than to Bowie, and I see Jessie pop her hip, her attitude radiating.

‘Bowie wanted to see where you were working.’ She smirks, and I know this was all her. She wanted to come up here and say I told you so. She always told me I never stood a chance of getting the place becausethat crazy old Reynolds ladywould never let her precious house fall into the hands of a lowly Campbell.

‘What do you think, honey?’ I ask.

‘It’s scarwy.’ She says wide-eyed, and I match her expression. ‘Grandma said you work at the big scarwy house, and you makin’ it pwetty again.’

‘Really, Grandma said it was scary?’ She shakes her head, no.

‘No, but she said it’s big, and it looks scarwy, Daddy.’

I smile softly. ‘It’s big, baby, but it’s not scary. It’s beautiful. Look.’ I direct her attention up to the wreck of a house behind me. She narrows her eyes as though she doesn’t believe me, and I laugh. ‘You’re funny, Bo.’

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