Page 53 of Quintessentially

Molly looks from Kandace to me and back to her mom as her eyebrows pinch close together. “Dad? My dad?”

Kandace nods. “Yes, he is.”

“You said he was gone.”

Kandace takes a deep breath. “He was, honey. Now he came back.”

It’s my turn to get down on my haunches. “Molly, if it’s okay with you and your mom, I would really like to get to know you better.”

Her little nose scrunches. “Are you going to live with us?”

I shake my head. “Not right now. First, can we be friends?”

She looks at Kandace. “You like Dax?”

Kandace nods. “I do. I have since before you were born.”

Molly turns back to me. “Okay. We can be friends.”

It isn’t until that moment that I remember to breathe. My gaze goes to Kandace as we both stand, and she takes Molly’s hand. “I think that went well.”

Kandace shrugs.

I’m walking with them up to Kandace’s car when Molly looks up at me and with a smile reaches for my hand. As the sun lowers in the sky, our shadows stretch out over the parking lot. Like paper dolls, we’re all connected, and I’ve never felt more whole in my entire life.

After Kandace has Molly buckled into her car seat, I lean in and say, “See you later, Molly. Thanks for being my friend.”

“Will you be at Joyce’s tomorrow for my breakfast?”

“If you want me to be.”

She nods.

“I’ll be there.”

Once Kandace closes the door, I fight the need to hold her, to pull her against me. Yes, I’m capable of big business deals and even baling hay, but staring into her blue gaze, I’m scared to death to ruin what has been one of the best evenings of my life.

“You like me?” I ask with a grin.

“I do.”

“I like you too.”

Her breathing deepens as her breasts push against the bodice of her dress.

‘Don’t fuck this up, Richards,’ I tell myself.

Instead of acting on what I want, I stuff my hands in the pockets of my shorts and say, “I’ll see you at Quintessential Treasures tomorrow.”

Kandace nods.

Her lips are pink and perfect for kissing. I’m thinking about the text I sent, and I wonder if she is too. For a long moment we stare at one another. Finally, she grins and backs away. “See you tomorrow, Dax.”

I open her door and watch as she buckles her seat belt. Her legs are tan and shapely. My gaze moves up to her trim waist and round breasts. When my gaze meets hers, she grins as if she’s caught me checking her out. Without a word, she starts the SUV.

“Tomorrow,” I say as I close the door.

Standing in the parking lot, I watch as the two of them drive away, and I know in my heart and soul that I don’t want to be a weekend dad. I want the entire package. I lift my face to the sky. “Thank you, Grandma.”

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