Page 116 of All Too Well
Rose ignores that and walks in, taking Ainsley’s hand. “I need to see the Admiral.”
I sigh in resignation. No way is Ainsley going to let that pass.
“You do?”
“I have to ask him to take me to see the boat—ship. Right away.”
Ainsley looks to me and then back to Rose. “Why right away?”
“Uncle Caspian said I needed to do ittoday.”
At least she attempts to stifle her laughter, but she fails. Her eyes meet mine, and that damn look her brother had minutes ago is now in her eyes.
Why do I keep these people around? I swear the MacKinleys are nothing but pains in my ass.
“If Caspian said it, then we should go see the Admiral. Come on, he’ll be so happy to see you.”
And just like that, my quick pickup is going to become a freaking all-day thing.
Rose reaches for my hand and then pulls me with her. We head to the back of the house, where the sunroom, which is also his office, sits.
It’s the same as it was when we were kids. Like time stood still here. The wood paneling is the same dark-oak color with photos of his naval career tacked up and shadowboxes with challenge coins. The desk that seemed bigger than life still sits facing the door with windows behind him, and out back is the pool.
He stands when we enter, and the tough man melts when he sees Rose.
Ainsley speaks. “Daddy, Rose is requesting to see the Admiral. She has something very important to ask.”
His posture shifts, shoulders back, and he stands tall. “All right, what can I do for you, sailor?”
She looks to me and I jut my chin. I’m not helping in this.
Ainsley leans down and pulls Rose to her side. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Ask him.”
Rose looks to the Admiral. “Mr. Admiral, would you take me to the ship? The big one.”
He clears his throat. “The big one?”
She nods. “I’ve never seen a ship like that. Can you take me?”
The Admiral comes around his desk and smiles at her. “I’d love to take you, Rose. Do you have time to go today? Ainsley said you had a cheerleading competition.”
“What time do we have to be there, Daddy?”
“In two hours,” I remind her.
She looks crestfallen, but there’s nothing I can do about this, other than kill Caspian for putting this in her head.
“Oh, well, that definitely won’t work. What about after? Can you stay another night, and we can go tomorrow?” Ainsley’s dad suggests, and I think I might hate him more than the other two combined right now.
“I don’t . . .”
“Please, Daddy. Please. I need to go on the ship. Please. Please,” Rose begs, and I work incredibly hard to come up with a reason we can’t, but there’s really none. Other than I hate this freaking town.
“Let’s see how the competition goes and then we can let the Admiral know,” I concede.
Rose basically launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my middle.
He sighs. “The things we do for our daughters.”
