“Go,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t mind. Promise. I’ll watch. Take some photos even.” He stared at me for just one more moment, but then Ruby called out to him, and he turned back to his children and joined them in line. I sighed and walked back to where I could watch the ride go round and round. A few minutes later the ride slowed and a new batch of riders loaded on. I smiled as Jax sped through the ride, weaving through the horses until he apparently found the perfect one. Ruby casually strolled behind him, picked a horse that seemed to do, and climbed aboard like she was doing it a favor by riding it. Devon chose the horse right beside Jax, which was a few behind Ruby. Nate and Evie picked a bench and cozily cuddled up to each other like no one else existed and the ride was built just for them. A smile pulled at my face, liking the way the two of them seemed to love each other so deeply.
The ride started and Jax bounced up and down on his horse. His eyes looked out to the crowd. I assumed he was searching for me, so when his gaze roamed in my direction I waved. His eyes locked on mine and he gave me an enthusiastic wave. I pulled out my phone and took pictures as everyone sailed past me. After two rotations my decision not to ride was reinforced as I started to feel ill, so I turned away and watched the people walking past me.
Chapter Six
Devon
Catching sight of Grace each time the ride went past her was like a shovel digging something up inside me. Why in the world would she come here just to stand by and watch us? I felt like shit for pressuring her to come now. Damn. I even made her buy her own ticket. I’d wanted her to say yes so badly, but I didn’t think she’d come if it seemed even close to a date, so refusing to buy her ticket was more of a ploy to get her to say yes. Now I just felt like an idiot.
The ride slowed and I looked over at Jaxy again, who was all smiles. I loved seeing my kids smile. Ruby’s smile, when it came around, was sweet and sincere. Someday—in the very far away future—Ruby would smile at a boy and he’d move the world to see her smile again. Jaxy’s smile, however, was just pure joy and exuberance. He was all cheeks and teeth and happiness.
We stepped out of the gate and walked around to find Grace leaning against the fence surrounding the ride. She was looking down at her phone and I used the moment to take her in. My eyes started at the bottom and worked their way up. Her shapely legs were toned and mostly visible, as she’d worn white shorts. They weren’t indecently short, but they definitely weren’t made to be modest. She wore a dark blue shirt made of some material I imagined was as soft as it was billowy. It was sheer and through it I could see a white tank top with tiny straps. Her dark, shoulder-length hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She had on sunglasses, but before she’d put them on I’d noticed she wasn’t wearing much makeup. Maybe just mascara. She looked fresh and clean.
The whole package was sexy as hell.
She didn’t notice us until we were right in front of her. She gave me another smile and then held her phone up. On the screen was a photo of Jax and me smiling at each other, his horse up higher than mine, him looking down at me. We both looked happy. It occurred to me in that moment that since Olivia passed, there hadn’t been many pictures taken of me with my kids. There was no one around to take them.
“Do you think you could text that to me?” I wanted a copy. I didn’t know what I’d do with it, but I wanted it nevertheless.
“Um, sure,” she said, seeming nervous for some reason, then turned the phone back around to look at the screen. I watched her thumbs moving quickly, then she handed it to me. “Just put your phone number in there.”
Ah-ha. I tried not to smile as I punched in my phone number. “There you go.”
She hit Send and I knew in a few moments I’d feel my phone buzz in my pocket. “Thanks.”
“Dad, look!” I glanced down at Jaxy, who was pointing further into the park. “Pluto!” Sure enough, Pluto was traipsing through the park, only making it a few feet before stopping to hug children and take pictures with tourists. “Can we go meet him? Please?”
“Of course.” I laughed. “That’s why we’re here.” He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me through crowds of people until Pluto was standing right in front of us.
“Pluto!” Jaxy cried as he gave the tall dog one of his running hugs.
I smiled and then noticed Ruby standing next to me, indecision painted across her face. I gave her a nudge. “Go on.” She looked up at me, rolled her eyes, and then slowly walked to join her brother, pretending to be irritated the whole time. When she approached Pluto he took his time with her, used his giant pronounced snout to sniff her out, pressing his nose into the side of her neck, making her laugh, then he pulled her into a hug. I let out a breath when she eagerly wrapped her arms around him in return.
“She’s what? Eleven? You’ve got your work cut out for you,” Grace said to me, taking in the scene with Ruby and Pluto.
“Don’t I know it,” I said with a chuckle. “I think she knows she got the short end of the stick, and she makes sure everyone else knows her life is hard.” I let out a sigh. “I’m hoping it’s a phase. If I’m lucky, by the time she gets to high school she’ll realize that the hardships in life make us stronger, which means we can tackle more, not less.” I looked down at Grace and was struck by her warm eyes. She’d pushed her sunglasses up to rest on top of her head, and her blue eyes were strikingly emotive.