Now I’m a babysitter until school starts at the end of August and she goes to prekindergarten class. The bad part is he didn’t even ask me to do it. This is all on me because I volunteered, like an idiot. My eyes drop to River and I instantly feel bad for even thinking that. She’s the reason why I volunteered for this job in the first place. In the short time I’ve spent with River, I’ve gotten so deeply attached to her that it concerns me a little. At this rate, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to leave her at the end of the summer.
The more time I spend with her, and the more time I spend with Ace, the more my feelings become all jumbled up inside my head and my heart. Over the past month, I’ve spent time with him every day and sometimes well into the night after River has gone to bed. The more I get to know the cocky, rude man I first met in that pasture, the more I realize that’s not his demeanor at all. The more I watch how great he is with River, the harder it is to stay away from both of them. Even though I know that’s exactly what I need to do.
One thing I refuse to do is fall into the rebound relationship trap. It’s bad enough when that happens between two consenting adults, but River changes everything.
Our outing last night was actually pretty incredible. I’m not calling it a date. He didn’t call it a date. We had plenty of people openly gawking at us as we had dinner together, and while we kicked back in the lawn chairs and watched the movie together under the stars. We spoke in hushed whispers about the movie, our faces close to each other so we didn’t disturb the other people. We laughed and talked and even sat in comfortable silence. It felt good to have a friend again. When he drove me home, he didn’t even try to kiss me. He put no pressure on me at all.
So why did I feel so conflicted about it?
Thoughts of last night are still on my mind as River and I walk into the diner. “What are you two doing today?” Tara asks as we take our seats. The inflection in her voice doesn’t quite hide her surprise to see us together in the middle of the day.
“Just time to feed the munchkin some lunch.” My reply is nonchalant, but I feel every eye in the restaurant boring into me. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but the nosy people in this small, Southern town are alive and well.
“Is Rose not babysitting her anymore?” Tara asks with no hint of modesty.
“Yes, she will be. She’s just away visiting family for a little while, and I volunteered to watch River while she’s gone. It really isn’t a big deal.”
“Are you being good for Miss Layne?” Tara asks River.
“Course,” she replies matter-of-factly, causing me to stifle a laugh.
After we finish eating lunch, River and I stroll through the park until we reach the edge of the water. River looks up and smiles sweetly at me. “Let’s go see my daddy at work.”
Ace’s suggestion for me to come by the facility sometime reverberates through my mind and I mull it over for a few seconds.
“Come on, Laynie. Let’s go see Daddy.”
“Okay, we’ll go by there and see him. But if he’s too busy working, we have to leave right away. Deal?”
“Deal.” She nods her head excitedly while she jumps up and down on her toes.
“You are too cute and you know it.” I laugh and shake my head. “Come on.”
River chatters about anything and everything on the ride to the equine rehabilitation facility, but all I can think about is I’m showing up unannounced at Ace’s place of employment. The whole town already thinks there’s something going on between us, and this will only strengthen that belief.
But will he think it’s anything more than his daughter wants to see him?
Is that actually all this visit is about?
“Here we are,” I announce nervously. “Now, remember what I said, River. If he’s busy, we have to leave and let him work.”
“Okay, Laynie.”
We walk hand in hand across the gravel drive, follow the dirt path around the side of the building, and the round pen comes into view. Ace is inside the ring with Frankie, his white T-shirt soaked with sweat and clinging to his body. When he takes his hat off, the sweat rolls down his face and he lifts the hem of his shirt to wipe off his brow. The ripples of his stomach mesmerize me and I stop walking dead in my tracks.
“Uncle Justin!” River yells and rushes toward the man standing outside the round pen.
“Squirt!” He affectionately calls back to her and scoops her up in his arms when she reaches him. His gaze scans in my direction and a knowing look settles in his expression. “And you must be Layne. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“That’s right. And you are?” I’m positive I just got busted practically drooling over Ace. Kill me now.
“Figures he wouldn’t have even mentioned me to you,” he scoffs with a chuckle. “I’m Justin Ramsey, Ace’s best friend and partner in crime.”
“Nice to meet you, Justin. I’m Layne Elliott, Ace’s temporary neighbor and River’s human toy.”
Justin throws his head back laughing. “I happen to know exactly what you mean by that.”
“Don’t believe a word he says about me. He lies like a crazy man,” Ace jokes as he walks up. He wipes his palms on his jeans and takes River from Justin. “How’s my best girl?”
“Daddy,” River laughs, “I’m your only girl.”
“That’s right. I forgot,” Ace replies.