Page 19 of Sunshine
“Sometimes a lady wants a stern man to take her in hand, fight for her, let her know she’s cared for and protected, and then she’ll probably want a good roll in the hayloft.”
I’d laughed at that, a belly laugh, and even though I would never lay a hand on a child, I knew things were different in her day. She’d poured me another four fingers of whiskey after that. It was clear in the woman’s expression when she talked of her granddaughter how much she loved her. And admittedly, I wasenvious. I’d never had a backup. Only my parents and their cold indifference.
“You’ll watch out for her when she comes back, Case Callen?”
I’d only grunted at her words until she snatched the sales contract out of my hands.
“She’s got no one once I’m gone. And I know she’ll be back here sooner or later. She’s married some twat because she gave him traits in her head that he ain’t never had or maybe because she didn’t think she deserved better. But behind his gameshow-host smile, he’s got nothing good. And if you won’t promise right now to watch out for my girl, then I’ll sell to someone who will. You promise me, Case Callen. Promise me, you’ll run off any rat bastard that comes for her.”
I’d agreed then, thinking the rich and famous author would never come back here to Lily Harlow’s little cottage, and that was fine by me because I didn’t need any more complications in my life. Especially because the woman she described was exactly my type and the thought of taming her made my cock twitch. But now, as I watch Tessa walk away, the promise I made weighs heavy on me.
Tessa Harlow needs someone, even if it’s just a friend. I know way too much about her and maybe it’s clouding my judgment or hell, maybe I’m going soft, but promise or not, I suddenly want to be that friend.
I turn, running my hand over my beard, the sight of her round ass swaying as she storms off burned into my mind,making my palm itch and my jeans a little snugger than they were before. The threat though. That was serious and I can’t afford that kind of trouble.
I grab my hammer from my tool belt and start pounding in nails. The work keeps my mind free of the shit that’s constantly clogging it. And that shit just got heavier with my neighbor. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can stop me from winning my daughter back. She’s the most important thing in my life and some sexy-but-feisty neighbor with a very spankable ass and her grandmother’s words cannot distract me from that goal.
Chapter Six
Case
I’m aching when the crew finishes for the day. I’d spent five years working out most of my day, doling out beatings and often getting at least a few good licks back, but I’ve never ached like I do after a day’s work building my house. And yet still, I have to outrun my demons before I can sleep.
Rolling my neck and shoulders I look through the trees at Tessa’s house. It’s pretty run down still, even though I’d fixed the front porch and did a bunch of work for Lily before she went to hospice. It looks nothing like it looked the first time I’d come here to ask Lily Harlow about the property. I’m curious how long it’ll take Tessa to pull out her shiny credit card and bring it back to its former glory.
As I pass Tessa’s place a few minutes later, I see a glass of wine on the wooden table on the back porch. There’s an ice pack and a pillow on the opposite chair. She must have twisted her ankle good.I feel a jab of empathy but don’t stop. Firstly, I’m too tired to have a strip torn off me, and secondly, I really should stay away from her.
When my cell starts ringing my favorite tone, I whip it out quickly before I lose signal. Pausing under a tree, I smile. Thepicture that shows up on the caller ID screen is exactly why I should stay away.
“Well, hello.” I smile bigger into the phone, probably looking like a lovesick fool. Because I am. I’m a lovesick fool over my five-year-old daughter.
“Hello Daddio.”
My heart glugs happily at her greeting. Thehello daddiois new and I have no clue where it came from, but it’s fucking adorable.
“Hey, gummy bear, how’s my favorite girl tonight?”
“Are you in a good spot, Daddy? I don’t want to lose you.”
Same kid, same.“You caught me at the best possible spot for reception.” I smile stupidly as my kid cheers on the other end of the line. “So how was your day?”
“Splendid, Daddy. How was yours?”
“Better now that I’m talking to my favorite person in the whole world.” Her giggle on the other end of the phone melts me. “Distract me from my woes, baby.”
“I have a new book from the library.”
“Oh yeah? Which one? Another Harry Potter?”
“No, silly billy, you have to read them to me.”
“Oh right,” I say, a smile spreading even wider on my face. “Chapter ten tonight when you’re all tucked in bed, yeah?”
“Yes, please, Daddy!”
“So, what about this library book?”
“It’s a picture book. I can read other ones, but Mrs. Olden, the librarian, doesn’t like me reading beyond my level. It’s a nice picture book though. It’s about a clever mouse and an imaginary monster.”
