Page 20 of To Build a Home
He releases my face, and I mourn his touch. But while he may have stopped touching me, he has put no distance between us. A light breeze could push us skin to skin.
“What do you and Gabby have going on today?”
“Well, we have brunch with the queen, a spa trip at two, and a chef’s table at the steak house downtown.”
Rhy arches a brow, and I laugh even more, turning away to finish Gabby’s bottle.
“I’m kidding. We don’t have any plans.”
Rhyland walks back to the table to get his mug. “Do you think you and Gabby would like to go to the market with me?”
Like a date? What? Shut it down, Pay. Now you’re talking crazy again.
Shaking my head out of my intrusive thoughts, I hear Rhyland chuckle. “No?”
“No,” I shout. “I mean yes.” I nod enthusiastically.
“Yes?” He smirks. I cannot be held responsible for decisions before finishing my coffee, clearly.
“Yes, we would love to join you. If it’s not too much trouble. I bet the fresh air would be good for Gabby to get out, and I haven’t been to the market in years.”
“It’s almost tripled in size, probably since you last went.”
My eyes widen. I used to love going to the market with my parents as a child, and the thought of continuing that tradition with Gabby has me giddy with excitement.
“Is there a particular time you head over there?”
He shakes his head. “Whenever Princess is up and moving, we can go. There’s no rush.”
“Sounds great. I’ll let you know when we’re ready.” Grabbing my coffee mug in one hand and Gabby’s bottle in the other, I disappear up the stairs.
When I re-enter my bedroom, soft cooing sounds lead me to the crib. I drop the drinks on the top of the dresser before placing my hands on the side of the crib.
“Well, good morning, sweet girl,” I coo. “Did you sleep good?”
Gabby squirms, reminding me of being a fish out of water, her arms and legs kicking up a storm.
“I know, I know. You want up and a ba ba. But first, let’s get you a fresh diaper.” I lift her up in the air, and I can hear my brother’s obnoxious voice in my head from the first time he did this, singing “Circle of Life.”
With Gabby now cradled to my chest, I grab a fresh diaper, the pack of wipes, and a new outfit.
After laying her down on my bed, I get to changing her. But more importantly, I continue on my quest to get that first giggle. We’re so close, I can just feel it.
I wiggle her body out of her pajamas and blow raspberries onto her belly. “Guess what we’re going to do today? Rhyland is going to take us to the farmer’s market. Won’t that be fun? Mommy used to love going there. Grammy and Pappy used to take us.”
Gabby smiles and lets out a soft coo. As my dad would say, close but no cigar.
“Will you please just give me one little laugh, please?” I plead as if that would make a difference. “Girl, don’t make me get out Rhyland’s puppy dog face because I will, yes I will.”
“Did I hear someone say my name?” The man in question pops his head into my room.
“Yes, I told my daughter I’m not above begging in order to get her to giggle for me just once.”
“Aww. She’ll get there eventually, right when you least expect it and need it most. Right, Princess?”
God, every time he calls her Princess, it sends a flock of butterflies in my stomach.
He turns his attention from her to me. “Do you want me to feed her so that you can get ready?”
