Page 69 of Call it Reckless

“Would you like to come in?”

At her nod, we walked in. I wanted to hold her hand, to hold her close to my side, anything to keep touching her. But I didn’t want to give Lexi any wrong ideas, not until Bristol and I were on stronger ground.

“Ms. Allen! Did you come here to do the interview?”

“I wanted to apologize in person for not answering your email earlier.”

“Awesome. Can we start now?”

“Cupcake, I don’t think—”

“How about a few questions to get you started, and then you can think of new ones based on what we talk about?”

In a matter of minutes, I faded into the background as the two of them talked. I learned a lot about Bristol based on the questions she answered. She was loyal, hardworking, and had a zest for life. She loved the outdoors. This was someone who would not only support the things I loved to do but would do them with me, something Abby wouldn’t. I could see us going camping and fishing together, the three of us. We would go on long walks through the woods or take a long, lazy inner tube ride down the river, stopping for a picnic along the way.

“Can we, Daddy?”

I pulled my attention back to the moment. Bristol was looking at me, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “Can we what?”

Lex rolled her eyes. “Can we go to the grand opening of Head to Tow?”

I looked at Bristol. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Bristol went home when it was Lexi’s bedtime. I tucked Lex in and placed a kiss on top of her forehead before turning off her bedside lamp.

“Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to date Miss Bristol?”

I was glad for the dim light, so she didn’t see my startled reaction. “Why do you ask?”

She rolled over onto her back. “Well, because I like her. She’s really nice, and she’s smart, and she stands up to bullies. She’s easy to talk to.”

“She’s all those things,” I agreed, coming to sit back on the side of her bed.

“And, I think she’d keep you from being so lonely. She likes the same things you do. Maybe you’ll fall in love and get married. Then I can have a baby brother or sister.”

I covered my surprise with a cough. “Well, I, uh…” I had no clue how to answer that.

Lexi rolled back over and curled up under her blanket. “Just think about it. I won’t be around forever to keep you company. You need someone and I like her.”

I snorted. When had she become so perceptive?

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too.”

“I love you three.”

“I love you four.”

“For what?”

“For caring about my happiness,” I answered softly.

Her sleepy smile was broken up by a huge yawn.

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