Page 3 of Grumpy Single Dad

"There's plenty, Rye. Actually, you can take most of it home with you if you want. Mackenna can't come because of something that broke at the bar. Dad's stuck at the office. Chase will stay here with me and the staff, but the other guests didn't want to chance coming out here in the storm. I really want to get those new roads done soon," she mumbles to herself.

I shrug and make my way into the kitchen, where I pile some food into takeaway containers. I'm not sure what Dallas and his daughter eat, but I think a little bit of everything should do the trick.

"Are you feeding a small army?" Maddie asks with a chuckle.

"No, just a small family. A guy and his daughter got stranded by my shop in town. There's something wrong with their car," I tell her with a mild rise and fall of my shoulders. "Since you gave me the big cabin, I told them they could crash there, and then tomorrow, I'll help them get back on the road."

"Gave you the big cabin?" she asks, her tone dripping in sarcasm.

I snicker. "I know. You caved into my baby sister vibes to show everyone that you love me the most, and so far, I love the place. It holds a family of three very well."

Maddie shakes her head and grins. "You're such a brat. But yes, I actually do value your opinion since you and Dad have different points of view on customer service. So, thank you for still coming even though it's raining cats and dogs out there. Oh, and I can have Chase take a look at their car in the morning."

"That's perfect. Thanks, Maddie."

"Any time. I can also have Chase come by the cabin to check on you too, tonight."

I grin. "That's fine. It'll be nice to let them know that I have people in my corner in case they turn out to be crazed aliens looking to abduct me."

"Abduction is not funny, Rye," she says flatly.

"Lighten up, Maddie. It's a joke, or did you purposely ignore the part I said about aliens? I'm going to head back before the storm starts raging again. Make sure to close this door behind me. Thanks for the food." I blow her a kiss as I dash from the main house back to the cabin.

Sounds of conversation waft through the door as I walk inside. The television above the fireplace is on, playing a movie I haven't seen since I was a kid. Frankie's sitting in a pair of pink pajamas on the sofa and laughing at the screen.

"Have you seen this movie, Miss Rye?"

"I haven't seen that movie since I was probably around your age," I tell her.

Her snark from earlier is gone, most likely due to getting out of rain-soaked clothes. She looks cozy under a blanket and snacking on popcorn while she talks about the movie. "I like it whenever the twins switch places to confuse their parents. Themom and dad fall in love. Did you know that it's one girl playing both parts? Not like the other one Dad showed me where they used actual twins."

"Do you like that movie better than this one?"

She shrugs. "A little bit. I like to see if I can pick out which twin is Mary-Kate and which one is Ashley."

"That sounds like a fun game to play. How about we watch that after I finish putting dinner together?"

"That's a great idea. I don't think Dad's watched either one in a long time, either. So what is for dinner?" She stops the movie to join me in the kitchen.

"I have some chicken tenders, french fries, a garden salad, baked salmon, rice, broccoli, and roasted chicken. Do you know what you'd like?"

"I'll have the baked salmon, rice, and broccoli. You should give Dad the chicken fingers." She laughs.

"I think he needs a bit more food than that, but I have enough for all of us to have some of everything. I don't meet too many kids who like salmon."

"I'm not a kid. I'm almost a teenager. I'll be ten next month."

"Wow, double digits, huh? You're almost as old as me."

She laughs and shakes her head in disbelief. We continue to put the dinner together as Dallas comes downstairs. I spot him just watching us silently. An indiscernible expression rides his face, but there's a softness in his eyes that wasn't there earlier.

He doesn't linger too long as he comes to help us set the food up in the living room. The fireplace is roaring, toasty withheat, even though the flames are fake. The movie is playing, and we're sitting around the coffee table like this is our typical family dinner routine. It's crazy how comfortable and effortless this feels. I look at them both and wonder if there's anyone in Cincinnati who takes care of them.

2

DALLAS

The sight of Frankie growing close to this beautiful stranger warms my heart. I don't want to be smitten, but these two are bound to have me wrapped around their fingers. Damn. Listen to me.

---