Page 60 of Coulda

Jack looked at Amber. “You love him?”

“I do. Now that we’re together, nothing will pull us apart again,” Amber said, warning her father that she was a grown woman now who would make up her own mind.

“Good. I like happy endings,” her father shared, shocking her.

Amber watched her father hold out his hand to Rio and welcome him to the family. She looked at her mother in surprise.

“He always liked Rio. Your father was afraid you’d miss your chance to get out of this town and see the world. Teenage romances rarely last for long. Maybe he was wrong to try to keep you apart. I guess we’ll never know. We’re both glad you’re happy now,” her mom confessed.

Amber felt Rio’s arm wrap around her waist and hug her to his body. She tried not to lean on him but he held her flush against him.

“I couldn’t be happier, Mom.”

“Let me buy you a beer, Jack,” Rio said, signaling the server.

“I’d like that, Rio.”

Amber knew this would have never happened twenty years ago. She smiled at her mother who nodded and winked. Amber knew who’d gotten her dad there.

CHAPTER20

Rio walked slowly over the uneven ground to check out the footings of their future house together. He leaned on Amber a bit from time to time and knew it wouldn’t be long before he scooped her up in his arms to carry her over the threshold. The amount of milk his Little girl had him drink every day had to make his bones heal even stronger than before.

“So, what’s the plan for the driveway?” she asked, staring at the small creek that ran in front of the house.

“Good question. We can put in a bridge or just let people four-wheel it over the rocks. That will keep people away,” he projected.

“Daddy. We want people to come visit. My car won’t want to roll over those boulders back there,” Amber said, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

“A bridge it is, then. I plan to put a sensor on it to let us know when someone crosses it,” Rio told her.

“Why?”

“That new idea from the builder to suspend a daybed outside made me realize we’ll need a warning system.”

“You have plans?” she asked with a smirk.

“The doctor said I’d need more rest while I’m healing. A nap will do your Daddy good, too.”

“He said that weeks ago, Rio. And I don’t think you’re talking about napping,” she pointed out.

“No arguing with your elders, Little girl,” he reminded her with a firm pat to her bottom.

“Ouch!” she exclaimed and shimmied away. “You have a hard hand.”

She’d gotten by with being bossy while he recovered. Last night, Rio had put an end to that. Amber needed to go back to being his Little girl and not the nurse when she was off duty. The tiny lines had evaporated from her face this morning. He’d known she wasn’t sleeping well. A hot bottom and multiple orgasms had tired her out last night. He’d made a note of that prescription for good sleep.

“I’ll make sure you remember,” he warned.

Instead of rolling her eyes and grouching about his punishment, Amber slid her hand into his. “I’m glad you’re better.”

“Me, too. My bike has been lonely without me.”

“Daddy!”

“Just kidding, Little girl. You’re much more important than the ability to shift gears on my bike.”

Rio was quiet for a few seconds before studying her face. “Can I tell you a secret? You won’t be able to share it.”

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