Page 52 of Love in Riverbend
“I want that too. I hate that I’m the cause of you being unhappy.”
“I’m really not, Dax. Molly is…” I take a deep breath. “She is a light, and as sad as I was that you weren’t here, having her with me makes me happy.”
“Tell me when, and I can go out to the farm. Your dad deserves his chance at me too.”
I laugh. “Dad won’t punch you.”
“Speaking of parents, I called mine before coming here tonight and made an offer on Grandma Ruth’s house.”
My heart skips a beat. “You did what?”
“I meant what I said: I want to be a part of Molly’s life. I can’t expect you two to drive to Chicago every weekend.”
“You want to live here?”
“I want to be here. The living thing is still up in the air. For now, I’ll keep my apartment in Chicago.” His golden orbs shimmer. “Maybe you could visit, and we could have a grown-up weekend in the city.”
He’s doing it, making me feel the way I felt when we were younger. Turning away from him, I find Molly. She and Amber are running in circles. “Molly will be nice and tired tonight.”
Dax’s focus goes to the girls. “Is that Cory and Judy’s daughter?”
“How do you know that?”
“I met her after the softball game. The one where you disappeared. That’s how I knew your SUV. I saw Justin talking to you before you drove away.”
Exhaling, I sigh. “He was mad I was there.”
“I picked you out of the crowd right away.”
“I didn’t notice you,” I lie.
Dax grins. “I figured.” He again reaches for my hand. “May we see each other?”
“I see you, Dax.”
“Dinner?”
“You’ll be at the store, won’t you? For Ruth’s stipulation.”
He nods. “I’ll be there Monday.”
Monday.
Tomorrow.
All day.
“Okay.”
He looks out at Molly. “When can we tell her the truth?”
“Before you leave.”
That answer seems to satisfy him.
Letting go of his hand, I stand. “I really should get her home. She has school in the morning.”
Dax stands. “I feel like I’ve missed so much. What grade is she in?”
