Page 21 of Stick Move

Noah rolls his eyes. “Just something her grandmother says.”

“We’ll still need to go over the rules,” I remind him and when he nods again, I continue with, “Looks like you can do those dishes after all.”

“Peachy.” I laugh and he angles his head. “Wait, were you two conspiring when I was in the shower?”

Don’t think about Noah in the shower.

“What’s conspiring, Daddy?” Camryn asks sleepily, and I hold my hand out to her. “Come on, Bean.”

Camryn slaps her hand against her forehead. “I don’t like beans!”

Shoot, that’s Noah’s special name for her. My gaze cuts to Noah, and when I catch him smiling I relax a bit. “I probably shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay.” He winks. “I actually think she might like it when you call her that.” I glance down to find Camryn smiling up at me and my heart wobbles a little in my chest.

“You know what I think,” I begin.

“What?” she asks.

“The only good bean is a jellybean.” She giggles. “You want to be my jellybean?” She nods, emphatically and I brush her mess of hair from her forehead. I’m not even sure it got combed after her swim. I catch the warm smile on Noah’s face and it messes with my insides. “I’ll go get her tucked in.”

She blinks up at me. “Will you read to me?”

“Of course, I will.” We start toward the door and glance back to find Noah staring at my ass, his expression far different than it was moments ago. Oh, okay then. But seriously, could Melanie be right? Could he be interested in…something? “You really don’t have to do clean-up.”

His head lifts quickly, and he blinks like he’s trying to figure out what I just said. I’m about to repeat, but he speaks. “I don’t mind.”

I don’t press—yeah, I’m as tired as Camryn and it’s actually kind of nice to have someone help me out—and walk her across the hall to her big bedroom in what was my father’s old wing. I feel his presence all around me, but the place looks different now with Noah and Camryn’s belongings and I can’t help but think that’s a good thing. I walk her to the bathroom, and she hops up on her stool. Little Miss Independent puts toothpaste on her brush and proceeds to clean her teeth as I grab a cloth to wash her face.

Sleepy blue eyes meet mine in the mirror. “My mommy had blue eyes like ours.”

“Oh really?” I glance over my shoulder, searching for Noah, even though I know he’s not there. But I have a feeling this conversation is going to be a hard one.

She puts one hand on her cheek and leans in to check herself out in the mirror. “Daddy said I’m pretty, like her.”

I gulp as my heart skips a beat. I never once considered the fact that Noah might still be in love with Camryn’s mother. From what I understand, it was Shayla who ran out after Camryn was born. God, does he still love her?

“You are very beautiful, Camryn.”

She beams at that, but a second later, her smile flatlines. “Ms. Brighton.”

I take in her very serious expression. “What is it, Jellybean?” She sets her toothbrush down into the cup holder and I wash the sauce from her face.

“Sometimes when people love you, they still leave.”

Okay, now my heart is jumping into my throat, and it’s all I can do to keep the tears pressing against the back of my eyes from spilling. This poor little girl, far too wise for her age, has been through a lot and she’s just turning five. I want to say something in response, console her, but as old hurts rise up, my words get lodged in my throat and the truth is she’s wrong. People don’t leave if they love you. My mother left because I wasn’t enough, and at the end of the day, Allan didn’t love me.

“Daddy said he’d never leave, though.”

I put my arms around her and give her a hug. “Your daddy will always be there for you, Jellybean.” She nods, and I hold her gaze in the mirror. “How about we get you into your pajamas and go find a book?” She jumps off the stool, and I follow her to her room. She hurries inside, stands still for one second, her shoulders tight, and then suddenly she’s running to her bed.

“Charlie.” She hugs Charlie, and I follow her to her bed, my heart a little wobbly at the way her father spent time making it homey for her. Reflective stars on the ceiling provide light above her canopy bed, and there are pillows and blankets and toys in boxes.

“Your room is so cozy, Camryn. I like it a lot.”

She hugs Charlie. “Charlie says he likes being back here too.”

“That makes me so happy.” I walk to her bookshelf and scan it. “Why don’t you find your pajamas. I bet your dad packed them in your dresser.” She rushes across the room and drawers open and close as she searches her dresser. I turn back around to find her tugging on a nightgown with sparkles. She’s quite the independent little girl and in so many ways reminds me of myself as a child. “How about this one?” I pull out The Sweetest Pancake, and she giggles.

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