“At the risk of sounding like a meddling old woman, I wanted to say what you’re doing for Zoe, getting her out of that house and letting her stay with you, is very commendable. Her parents have always been such awful people.
“The way you connect with kids is a true gift. You’re the first adult Zoe has trusted in a long time. And, well, we all know what poor Ace and River have been through. You’ve brought life back to their home.” She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye and gives me a weak smile. “I hope you decide to stick around here for a while longer. Ace needs you more than you know, more than he knows.”
With that last cryptic message, she gives me a grandmotherly pat on the arm and walks away. When she reaches her car, she calls out to me. “You’re welcome to stop by the house anytime. We’re the only house on Magnolia Way—you can’t miss it. George and I would love to have you over. We’ll look for you soon.”
“I just may do that. Thank you,” I reply.
Interesting conversation, I think to myself. And odd.
After I get River settled into her car seat, we drive to the equine rehabilitation center to see Ace. As we’re rounding the corner of the main building, heading to the round pen in the back, movement catches my eye and I watch Lily and Justin emerge from a secluded spot between the main office and the barn. Only, they don’t look embarrassed or guilty, like two lovers who were just caught in the act. In fact, they don’t look happy at all. They’re deep in conversation, with very serious expressions that match their body postures.
I’m careful to avert River’s attention elsewhere before she sees Justin and Lily and interrupts them with her excitement. Just as Ace comes into my view, I have to remind myself about the whole containing excitement part. It’s a hot summer day, the sun is blazing, and Ace is shirtless. The sheen of sweat covering his exposed skin beads and rolls down his chest. My eyes involuntarily follow the path it takes until it disappears into the happy trail on his lower abdomen.
The way his arm, chest, and abdominal muscles flex and straighten when he lifts and moves the square bales of hay is mesmerizing. My mouth is dry, my skin is flushed, and it’s hard to breathe. None of my body’s reaction is from the heat of the sun. It’s from the heat of the man who is quickly taking over all of me. When I rake my eyes back up, drinking in the fine, sexy specimen of a man standing in front of me, I realize I’m the one who’s busted blatantly ogling him. The knowing smirk on his face is both cocky and handsome.
“What are my two favorite girls doing here?” he calls out. River’s attention snaps to him, and she takes off running in his direction. He gathers her up in his arms and meets me halfway. “I’m glad you came by.” He leans in to kiss me hello, and I know from the husky quality of his voice he’s thinking about the same thing I am. “I’ve missed you.”
River begins chattering, telling him every move we’ve made today, everything she’s learned, and all the activities she wants to do tomorrow. He’s the most attentive father I’ve ever seen in action. The way he interacts with her is precious. He listens to her, has two-way conversations, and creates ways to make her requests a healthy reality. Watching them together, I realize he shows his love for me in similar ways. I love the way he supports me, actively participates in matters that are most important to me, and shares his thoughts and feelings.
“Hey, baby girl,” Lily calls from behind me. “Come give your favorite aunt a hug!”
River jumps out of Ace’s arms and runs to her. Lily covers her little face with kisses and River squeals with laughter. “Aunt Lily, you’re smothering me,” she laughs.
“Why don’t you come home with me for a couple of nights? Daddy and Layne may want to have a date night or something,” Lily suggests.
“Can we camp out in the den?” River asks, cutting her eyes to look sideways at Lily before she answers.
“Yep. And we’ll make s’mores, too.”
“Okay!” River agrees. “Daddy, I’m spending the night with Aunt Lily.”
Ace chuckles and nods his head. “Yeah, I knew she had you at s’mores.” He directs his gaze at Lily. “Something up I need to know about?”
“River and I are going to take off now. I’ll stop by your house and pick up her clothes. I have my spare key with me,” Lily replies.
Ace puts his hands on his hips and leans his weight to one side. He clearly isn’t fooled by her sudden desire to babysit River. “Lily.”
She hesitates for a moment before her shoulders slump and her smile falters. “Just erring on the side of caution.”
Ace’s face turns to stone before my eyes. He folds his arms over his chest and positions his feet in a fighter’s stance. He doesn’t appear to be aware of his movements, but he’s subconsciously preparing to fight. “You’re sure?”