Page 92 of Right Number, Wrong Man
“Seems she approves,” Hailey says, giggling.
“See, it works. And if I need somebody to watch her, I’ll ask my folks.”
“Or me!” she cuts in eagerly.
She holds out her hand, letting Gracie sniff it, and the dog presses her head into her palm.
“Such a cute little girl,” she coos, rubbing Gracie’s chin. “Maybe we should head back into town. You need to buy some things for her and you should take her to the vet for a checkup.”
“Good thinking. Can you hold her while I pack up?”
Hailey extends her arms, fingers wiggling and eyes lit up like I offered her a million dollars in cash. “You don’t have to ask twice!”
Carefully, I hand Gracie over. She hides her nose in the bend of Hailey’s elbow, immediately closing her eyes. She has some sleep to catch up on, and with a full belly, she’s far more relaxed than earlier.
I clean up the picnic while Hailey rocks Gracie like a furry, slightly muddy baby. She’s not even worried about getting dirt on her top. They’re so cute together, I can’t resist taking out my phone to snap a picture.
“Smile for the camera!” I say.
Hailey pouts, shaking her head. “Oh, no!Youneed to be in the picture, too.”
My head jerks. “Why me?”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s not a family picture without you, duh. Get your ass over here, Colton Walker!”
My jaw goes slack and my heart beats double time.
She called us afamily.
Hailey, Gracie, and me. We’re a family.
In a stupor, I crouch next to her and she takes the phone from me, her other arm balancing Gracie like a pro puppy wrangler. Her grin makes my stomach tingle like all the butterflies from the meadow got stuck in there. I’m so preoccupied with the feeling, I don’t notice when she takes the picture.
“There. Perfect!” she says and gives the phone back to me.
Grinning, I stare at the first picture of just us together. We really do look like a family.
Ahappyfamily.
“Can you send it to me, please?” Hailey asks. “We’re so stinking cute. Aren’t we, Gracie?”
While she looks down at the sleepy dog in her arms, I sneakily set the image as my background before sending it to her. Flustered, I shove the phone into my pocket.
I pack up the rest of the picnic and when Hailey gets up, I fold the blanket.
“I gotta buy a basket, toys, a collar and a leash, and bowls for food and water. I reckon I could use some advice picking things…” I throw her a sideways glance. “If you ain’t got no other plans.”
“I’d love to help!” she bursts out.
I stash the picnic basket in the trunk while Hailey cradles Gracie on the passenger seat. The tiny thing is still fast asleep, now curled up on her lap. I get in and start thecar when she speaks up quietly, not wanting to wake Gracie.
“Can we do this again?” she whispers. “I mean the gun training and the picnic. The talking, too. I had a lot of fun.”
I feel weightless as I smile. “Anytime, Spitfire.”
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HAILEY
