Page 14 of Daddy Crush (Silver Fox Daddy)

“Okay,” she said, taking another deep breath. “We’re dressed. Now what do we do?”

Although I still had many questions buzzing through my mind like angry hornets, I pushed them aside for now and focused on the appearance of calm. “Go down and let them inside. I’ll start coffee, and we’ll greet them as if nothing’s changed,” I began, looking into her eyes for understanding. “We already know we make a great team, and right now, the name of the game is not letting on about what happened between us last night. Your father trusts me implicitly, and now is not the time for him to find out I slept with his daughter. You and I need time to sort us out first.”

She listened intently and nodded. “If we act as if nothing inappropriate happened between us, then things should be all right. Don’t you think?”

I approached Clover and took both of her hands in mine before continuing, my gaze lowering as did my voice. “Just so you know... so there’s no mistaking my intentions… Since the day you got off that bus, my life has changed. The way you make me feel is hard to explain. But I haven’t sauntered around constantly wearing the special smile you give me... ever.”

She nodded her head in agreement, and I couldn’t resist crushing her to me, pressing my mouth to hers.

Taking one last look at each other, Clover held on to my hand like a toddler holding a parent’s hand at a crowded street fair. She was still tense, but visibly relieved by my plan of action.

Letting go of her grasp before we descended the stairs to prepare for our guests was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

From the cupboard, I removed a bag of coffee beans. Their promising dark brown tint gave the room a wonderful aroma as I pulverized them in the small grinder. My hands shook as I filled the electric kettle with water. I grabbed the freshly ground coffee and spooned the dark granules into the filter, my stomach in knots as I thought about the implications of this visit from Clover’s family.

A wave of voices called out from the entryway. “Hey, Clover! We’ve missed you!”

As I waited for the kettle to boil, I took comfort in knowing that at least I could provide the group with a decent cup of coffee.

I heard the sounds of Clover rushing to hug each person who greeted her: her parents, her sister, Faith, and her grandparents.

What was this, a family reunion? Could things actually get any worse? If it were a movie scene, it would be too over the top to believe.

My grumpiness faded away when I saw my baby beam with delight, her eyes bright and dancing as she led them into the kitchen and took in the sight of so many of her loved ones gathered in one place after spending a month apart. She couldn’t contain her joy, and it lit up the room.

The group piled into my large kitchen, and I set out a carafe of coffee with all the fixings, to distract all of us from the evidence of my ardor for Clover.

Shit.

I stood over the large breakfast nook built for this purpose, hosting a large family, and listed off the coffee fixings on hand. My eyes darted around, purposefully avoiding the way Clover’s sundress reminded me how I’d nuzzled her naked nipples last night, savagely licking and sucking at the tips as if seeking a cream sweeter than any I could serve in my café.

“There’s cocoa powder, chocolate spread to mix in, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and even pumpkin spice.” My voice was a buzz in my own ears as I fumbled for the full list of ingredients, and I took an uncertain step back, nervously dropping enough spoons and napkins on the table for us all.

To tame my twitching muscles, I positioned myself at the stove while Clover and her family caught up on all their news since she left Porterville.

Faith asked her sister, “So, how’s the dating scene in Porterville, Clover?”

Stiffly, I barged in on the conversation before my love bug had to respond. “How do country potatoes, scrambled eggs, and toast sound for breakfast, everybody?”

“Wonderful. Let me know if I can help,” Clover’s mom replied.

“I’ve got it. You relax and catch up,” I said, not wanting to be in proximity to her since I suspected I still smelled like her delicious daughter.

“Yeah, Mama. Catch me up. Who’s taking care of the farm, and why are you all here?”

Her father started by clearing his throat nervously before explaining, “Well, honey, that’s what we came to tell you in person, since it’s really not a conversation for over the phone.”

I looked over my shoulder to see Clover’s mom looking away hastily, then restlessly folding and unfolding the cloth napkins I’d set on the table. That alone set my alarm bells ringing.

“Mama?” Clover’s voice was stifled and unnatural, sensing the gravity of the moment.

Troy’s brows pulled together in a frown. “Here’s the thing, sweetie. Real estate sales can move fast, especially in this busy market. We had friends who closed in forty-five days on a sale, which completely changed their lives.”

Everyone around the table merely stared at their coffee, tongue-tied, until finally Clover asked, “Real estate sale? Exactly which property do you plan on selling?”

Her grandfather responded, “Your parents received an offer worth more money than God—enough for them to leave Porterville, retire, and buy a place somewhere with nice coastal weather. Somewhere like Briarville.”

Clover’s eyes widened, her hands dropping to her sides in disbelief. “Sell the farm? Are you kidding?”

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