Page 46 of One Bride for Three Single Dads

Instantly I get a shiver. What does she mean? I’m afraid to look at her.

The music begins, and Alexis prances across the floor, spinning convincingly. She has wonderful posture. I love the kicks. I realize this is kind of the Riverdance thing that used to be popular.

“Oh, she’s very good,” I smile, glad to see her so happy.

“She picks things up quickly,” Amber shrugs. “She probably gets that from her dad.”

Okay, is that another jab at me? When do I get to start being offended?

To my great relief, Harrison comes into the game room from the basement workout area. When he sees Alexis dancing, he pauses quietly, leaning against the back of the sofa while he watches.

I love that proud smirk. He is all gaga for his daughter. Not judgy. Not critical. No smartass remarks. Just total adoration.

When she is done, the music stops and Alexis folds over in a deep curtsy. Harrison applauds maniacally with his arms over his head until she spins around, then leaps over the sofa to hug him.

“Well, you have my numbers,” Amber sniffs as she stands up.

“You’re leaving?” I stammer. “Already?”

She stops, raising her eyebrows as she stares at me pointedly. Her lips purse in an unmistakable expression of repressed… something. Jealousy? Disgust? Anger?

“Yeah. You don’t need me here,” is all she says.

Amber bends over with her arms out and Alexis runs to her mother, hugging her tight. Amber kisses her on top of the head and heads out, her high-heeled sandals clunking with every step.

Harrison grins at me, totally oblivious.

I stare at him until his expression changes.

“What?” he asks, suddenly confused.

When I don’t answer right away, he looks around, beginning to panic. Did he miss something? Is there something for me to be mad about?

Finally his eyes drift over to the front hallway, where Amber just left us. He sees the suitcase standing there.

“Ah,” he says softly, shrugging sympathetically. “Well, she had her chance, didn’t she?”

“Yes, she definitely did,” I smile back.

We stare at each other for a few moments, each thinking dirty thoughts, but neither of us dare to say anything. After all, Alexis is a big girl. It won’t go over her head.

Which makes me wonder about Ireland. I sure hope the bedrooms are far apart.

Chapter 19

BOONE

You know what is worse than an airplane? An airplane that doesn’t land for eight hours.

Is that possible?

This construction job included a private flight. Otherwise we would have been in the air even longer. But they said it was cheaper to charter a jet for us than to try to get seven tickets on a commercial plane.

Getting from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Cork, Ireland in a chartered jet first means we have to drive two and a half hours to the nearest private airport for international flights. Since we’re located the same distance between Nashville and Atlanta, we chose Atlanta. Then we board the plane, and the nonstop flight takes almost eight hours.

And all of this stress is not just on me, either. It’s on my four-year-old son, a five-month-old, and a seven-year-old.

Bless her heart, Jolene is ridiculously prepared. At first I thought she had way too much luggage, but then I realized two whole bags are just for keeping Alexis, Cole, and Harmony entertained on the airplane.

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