“Apology accepted,” she replies coolly.
There’s no doubt she’s only saying that in front of River, setting a good example for her and making me look like less of a jerk in front of my daughter. That only makes me feel like even more of a jerk. River squirms in my arms until I place her on the ground. She takes off straight toward Layne, forcing her to take two giant strides across the river to catch River before she goes straight into the water. Layne scoops her up into her arms and holds River on her hip.
“What are you doing, little girl?” Layne asks River playfully as she tweaks her nose.
“Coming to see you.” River replies with a smile and wraps her arms around Layne’s neck.
“Are you supposed to jump into the water alone?” Layne asks her.
“No…” She draws the word out. “But you’re here.”
Layne throws her head back and laughs. “Yes, I am. Don’t do that if I’m not in the water waiting for you, okay?”
“Okay.” River nods excitedly. I’m sure she’s already picturing swim dates with Layne.
“Can we start over?” I ask softly as I step closer. Layne looks up at me, uncertainty swimming in her eyes. “I’m Ace Sharp. It’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand to shake hers.
“Layne Elliott,” she replies, but she doesn’t say it’s nice to meet me. She finally takes my hand and gives it a single shake. She tries to pull her hand away but I hold it.
“Welcome to Oak Grove, Layne Elliott. Will you be staying long?”
Her eyes narrow and her lips form a thin line, but her gaze never wavers from mine. She doesn’t appear to back down from a challenge of any kind. “I’ll be here through the end of summer.”
“Where’s home?” I ask, still holding her hand.
She takes a deep breath and raises her chin as she contemplates her reply. “Somewhere far from here.” She pulls her hand back and I reluctantly release it.
“How about I cook dinner tonight for you? As a welcome to the neighborhood and thank you for saving my daughter’s life?” I offer.
“No, thank—” she starts but River interjects.
“Yeah! Come over, Waynie. Pwease. For me.”
An odd look crosses Layne’s face, but she quickly covers it with a smile. “You’re spoiled,” she says lovingly to River. “For you, I will.”
“Yay!” River squeals and tries to jump out of Layne’s arms. Layne gets her to the bank just in time for River to take off running across the grass.
“Ah, to have the energy of an almost-four-year-old again,” I chuckle.
“We’d never have to work again if we could bottle it and sell it,” Layne quips.
“Ace, now that you’re all set, I’ll be on my way,” Rose announces. “It’s good to see you again, Layne.”
“You, too, Rose,” she calls back.
When Rose is in her car, I turn back to Layne and extend my arm. “Need some help out of the water?”
Her eyes drop to my outstretched hand, but she doesn’t take it. When she meets my gaze again, I’m sure she’s going to find an excuse to get out of dinner tonight. She doesn’t trust me and she’s not sure she wants to be in my company, but she feels obligated to River. I can see it in her eyes and read it in her body posture.
“I can get out of the water on my own,” she replies. “I’ll have to get cleaned up and change clothes first anyway.”
She turns her back to walk back across the river away from me. “Be careful on those slick rocks.”
“Yeah, I found that out the hard way,” she laughs.
When she reaches the bank on the other side, I feel the need to make a connection with her one more time. “Layne.”
She turns her head and looks at me over her shoulder. “Yes?”
“Don’t stand us up. Dinner will be ready in an hour. We’ll be waiting for you.”
She clenches her jaw, no doubt biting her tongue from being told what to do. She tilts her head slightly and gives me a single nod of agreement before she turns and walks back to her cabin. I snatch River up from where she’s playing in the grass, toss her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and enjoy her squeals of laughter as I walk back to the truck with her.
“What is wrong with my potatoes?” I ask, exaggerating my frustration. “They’re not supposed to move around like this. I’d better take them back to the store for a refund.”
“Daddy!” she giggles. “It’s me, not taters!”
“What?” I ask, faking surprise. “What are you doing in my sack of potatoes?”
“I’m not!” She laughs at our game, and I put her in the front seat beside me.
“Sit down beside me, baby. You can ride right here since we’re in the driveway.”
River snuggles up to my side and I wrap my arm around her. If I’d lost her today, I’d have no reason for living at all. Layne Elliott saved my baby’s life, and I owe her a lot more than a dinner for that. She’s earned my respect for life.
“Are you going to help me make dinner for Layne?” I ask River.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she chants. “I’ll help, Daddy.”
“That’s my good girl.” I smile in response and tousle her hair.
Chapter Five
Layne