Page 19 of Hers to Hold
Chas snorted. “All women say that. You’re probably forty.”
“Chastity!” Wes’s voice rose.
Her wide innocent eyes met her father’s dark ones. “What? It’s true.”
“Actually, I’m twenty-nine,” Kady repeated.
“Did you want to be a baker when you were little?”
Kady shook her head. “Nope. Never thought about it. I’m just…here temporarily.”
“I want to be a reporter.” Chas stuck her nose out. “I’m going to tell everyone, everything.”
Okay, Kady was charmed. Maybe kids weren’t so bad, if they were miniature versions of herself. Kady smiled, to keep herself from revealing too much about her love of reporting.
“She’s got an active imagination,” Wes added with an apologetic smile. His eyes followed his daughter as she trailed the counter back to the register.
“It’s fine. Girls her age normally do.”
“Did you have an active imagination?”
“Still do. Kind of never grew out of it.”
“I don’t know where she got the idea about being a reporter.”
“Do you know any?”
He shook his head. “Not a one.” He laughed softly. “As long as she’s not a criminal.”
“Who aspires to be a criminal? Wait, don’t answer that. Dumb question.”
“Not at all.” His easy grin relaxed her knotted stomach. “Chas is a bit…much, like her mother.”
“You two still together?”
“No.” He waved a hand in front of him. “It was a brief fling I had years ago when I was home on break from a deployment. It…” He eyed his daughter. “I feel weird saying it shouldn’t have ever happened, because then I wouldn’t have that spitfire.” His smile deepened the more he stared at his daughter. Kady found it endearing.
“Well, I think she’s great,” Kady heard herself say without thinking. “I’m sure she’ll change her mind about what she wants to be, but a reporter is a good start.”
His gaze returned to her. “Thanks, Kadynce.” His eyes dropped to the bag she was still filling with cookies. “I think you put a few too many in there.”
She arched a brow. “Did I?” She secured the bag and handed it to him. “I’ll count them out next time.”
He angled over the counter. His grin had turned devilish, the gold in his eyes sparkling. “I’m looking forward to dinner tonight,” he said softly.
Kady found her hips pressing against the counter to steady herself as she leaned toward him. “Me too. I think I’ll bring some or wine or something.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. They’ve got everything covered.”
“That was really kind of Mr. Callaghan to invite me.”
“He’s the most honest, genuine guy I’ve ever met. I’m just grateful he gave me a chance.”
Kady offered a small smile, the word “honest” ringing in her head. She wasn’t honest. But she was undercover. Wasn’t that enough to justify her actions? “Gave you a chance? What do you mean by that?”
“Are you two gonna kiss?”
Wes and Kady jumped back, their gaze landing to the petite reporter who assessed them with narrowed eyes.
