She helped the customers, and a few other people who’d apparently been in the store. Once the mini-rush cleared up, her mom had left, and Everly felt a hole of guilt growing inside her.
But she’d only spoken the truth, and now the weight of her made-up Tom Middleston was gone. On her next break, she checked her phone, and sure enough, Brandy had sent several texts, all at different times.
Mom told me you’re mad at her.
Sorry if I stirred things up.
I just don’t want you to be upset about all of this.
Brock was also concerned, so it wasn’t just me.
I’m glad you told Mom that Tom was fake.
Please come to the brunch on Sunday.
You should bring Austin! We all want to meet him.
What followed was a series of heart emojis.
Everly replied with a single line: I’ll keep you posted.
For now, she needed a break. From her mom and sister, from the wedding plans, from Brock’s part in everything.
She needed Austin.
Where was he now? At the theater with his daughter? Eating someplace? At his apartment? Maybe he’d taken her to the park? Maybe he’d come by the shop?
Every time the shop door opened, Everly’s gaze snapped to whoever entered. Austin didn’t show, and she checked her phone more than she should. No calls or texts from him. By the time her shift ended at seven, Everly knew Austin should have been back in Hidden Hollows several hours ago. What if he hadn’t come back but had decided to spend the weekend at home?
For some reason, this sent her pulse jumping. Having him so far away made her feel like the past week might have been a dream. Or some crazy, heady fluke.
“I’m heading out now, Darla,” Everly said as she straightened a final display of candles.
“All right, dear,” Darla said. “Say hi to that man of yours.”
Everly smiled, although she didn’t feel like smiling. She was too anxious, too worried, and too many insecurities were plaguing her. She walked to the back of the craft store and opened the door leading up to the stairs.
She trudged up the stairs and scooped Snatches into her arms. The cat started to purr, her little body rumbling. Everly sat on her loveseat, closed her eyes and cradled the furry creature. She tried to empty her mind of all worries, to forget her argument with her mom, her sister’s oozing concern, and the fact that Austin hadn’t called.
When her phone did ring, Everly snapped her eyes open. She’d almost dozed off, and so it took her a minute to orient herself and see that Austin was calling. Her heart slammed into her throat, and she answered with a breathless, “Hello?”
Would he tell her that he’d stayed in his hometown, or that he’d be hanging out with his daughter exclusively this weekend?
“Hi,” he said. “You hungry?”
Relief swept through her like an August forest fire. “Starving,” she said. Had her voice squeaked?
Austin chuckled, and her eyes burned with tears of relief. She was being ridiculous, but Austin had called her, he was still here, he was still in her life.
“What sounds good?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling through the phone. A voice she loved.
“How about you decide, or better yet, your daughter,” Everly said. “Is she with you?”
“Yep, Jessica’s here,” he said, his tone warm. “Do you seriously want me to ask her? You might regret it.”
“Ask her,” Everly said. “I’m not picky.”
“Okay,” Austin said.
Everly kissed the top of Snatches head, then she heard Austin’s deep voice speaking to Jessica, followed by her higher pitched reply.
Everly couldn’t make out their conversation, but then Austin came back on the line. “She wants pizza.”
Everly smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, and the words felt weighted. He wasn’t just asking her if she liked pizza, but if she would spend her time with him and his daughter.
Everly would have shouted her answer, but that might have confirmed her mother’s suggestion for a therapist, so instead, she said, “I’m sure. What time?”
“Um, fifteen minutes?” he asked. “She’ll get grumpy if I don’t feed her soon. She’s already gone through all the snacks she brought with her.”
“No problem. Should I meet you somewhere, or . . .”
“We’ll head over.”
“Okay.” When Everly hung up, she squeezed Snatches a bit too tightly, then jumped to her feet and hurried to her tiny closet.
After three clothing changes, and trying to repair her hair and makeup, she hurried down the stairs. She’d settled on one of her newer sundresses that was blue with tiny polka dots. The store was still open, so she slipped out the back door, not wanting any customers to spot her and think she was on shift.
She heard the sound of Austin’s truck before she saw it, and her heart was already thumping when she caught sight of it pulling into the parking lot.
She headed toward the truck as Austin stopped. He climbed out, surprising her since she thought she would just hop in. And wow, was he a sight for sore eyes. Gone was anything resembling a dress shirt. He wore jeans and an older t-shirt that did nothing to conceal his broad shoulders and defined chest.
Austin walked toward her, and knowing his daughter was in his car, she didn’t know how to greet him. Apparently, he wasn’t worried about that detail.
He pulled her into a hug, a surprisingly tight one, and she held on.
“I missed you,” he whispered against her ear.
“I missed you too,” she said, her throat feeling tight.
His hands moved slowly up her back, and that’s when she heard someone say, “Daddy!”
Austin released a breath, then drew away, and his gaze locked on Everly. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Everly grasped his hand and squeezed. “Yes, now stop asking.”
He flashed her a smile, then keeping her hand in his, he led her to the passenger side where he opened the back door to the cab of the truck.
Jessica Hayes was a mini-me of her father, albeit the feminine little girl version.
“Hi, I’m Everly, what’s your name?”
“Jessica!” she said.
Everly smiled. “Great to meet you.” She held out her hand, and Jessica promptly shook it.
“I love your backpack,” Everly said, spying the pink, sparkly bag next to Jessica. “Who’s your favorite barbie?”
Jessica’s eyes widened, and so did her smile. “Rapunzel,” she said. “Do you want to see?”
“Sure,” Everly said and watched as Jessica dug into her bag, then produced a doll.
“Oh, she’s great,” Everly said, taking a hold of the doll and examining her purple gown. “I love her shoes too. What happened to her earrings?”
Jessica’s expression fell. “They keep falling out.”
Everly lifted her own bag. “I work at a craft store, and we have all kinds of things there. One of my favorite things is the barbie glue.”
“Barbie’s have their own glue?”
“Sure do.” Everly located the small tube of craft glue. “When you find the earrings, let me know, and we can glue them on.”
“Okay,” Jessica said, a pleased smile on her face. She started to dig through her backpack.
“Thank you,” Austin whispered against her ear, wrapping his arm about her waist. “And I can’t believe you have glue in your bag.”
She turned her head to see his grin. He was only inches from her. So tempting to kiss him, yet she didn’t know the rules around his daughter. So, she edged around him and moved to the passenger door.
Austin opened the door for her, and she climbed in, her stomach in knots of excitement. So far, so good. Jessica was like any other little girl. Everly could do this.
Austin settled into the driver’s seat, then winked at her, and put the truck into drive.
Had she ever blushed at a wink? Well, she ha
d now.
14
Austin
Austin had never heard Jessica chatter so much, and he marveled at the intricacies of the Barbie world. Everly seemed to have no problem keeping up, and she even asked questions that only sent Jessica on another excited tangent.
All through their pizza dinner, and then during their walk to the park, Jessica talked. She even held Everly’s hand. Jessica walked between the two adults, holding each of their hands. When she finally broke off, after Everly encouraged her to try out the jungle gym in the light of the setting sun, Austin could only stare after her in wonder.
A few other kids were there with their families, and Jessica joined in, easily playing with them.
Everly moved to his side, he grasped her hand and linked their fingers together.
“Wow,” he said. “I had no idea she had all of that in her. It’s like Barbies are an entire universe.”
Everly laughed. “She’s adorable.”
Austin looked down at Everly and saw that she was sincere. “You’re not . . . um, put off by all of this?”
Her forehead creased. “By Jessica? No, why would I be?”
He turned more fully to her. Her hair was golden in the glow of the sunset, and he’d been appreciating her strappy blue dress all evening. “Because dating me is not just about dating me . . . Jessica is part of the package too.”
Her lips curved. “It’s a great package though, with an amazing guy and a sweet little girl.”
Austin wanted to lean down and kiss Everly right now, but they were in a very public place. And he figured that easing Jessica into things was the best idea. He didn’t have to wonder what she thought of Everly—it was obvious his daughter was smitten.
“Watch this!” Jessica’s voice interrupted Austin’s internal battle of whether to kiss Everly right now.
Everly turned her gaze, and Austin looked over in time to see Jessica jump out of a swing and land on the ground.
Everly released his hand and clapped. “Great job!”
“Um, is that safe?”
“It’s fine.” She slipped an arm about his waist. “You’re a great dad, Austin.”
He draped his arm about her shoulders and pulled her close. Breathing in her scent of flowers and sunshine, with the warm summer breeze floating around them, he wondered if he’d ever had a more perfect night.
Jessica teamed up with another young girl, and they started playing a game of tag of which the rules were a mystery to him. “She makes friends so easily,” he said. “I mean, at my mom’s, there aren’t any kids in the neighborhood since it’s mostly retired folks. That’s why going to the summer camp is great for social interaction.”
“What about during the school year?” Everly asked. “She probably has plenty of friends there.”
“Yeah, but she goes to my mom’s after school until I’m finished with work,” he said. “Playdates are impossible since I work a lot of Saturdays as well.”
Everly nodded, her head moving against his shoulder. “Smaller communities like Hidden Hollows are great for neighborhood friends. You know, quiet streets, lemonade stands in the summer, friendly neighbors. Maybe you should move here. It’s a great place to raise a kid.”
Austin stilled. He knew it was an off-hand comment, but she’d hit a sore point. He’d never thought he’d be living the apartment life as a single dad. And his daughter was growing up differently than he’d ever expected. Outside of school, Jessica was around adults all of the time unless he paid for her to go to a summer camp.
He traced his fingers over her shoulder. “I do like a few things about Hidden Hollows.”
He heard the smile in Everly’s voice when she said, “Oh, like what things?”
“Let’s see . . . there’s a charming theater, and Coop’s Coffee Shop has pretty good coffee.”
Everly tightened her hold on his waist.
“The pizza isn’t bad, and there’s this great craft store that sells wood glue that’s top notch.”
Everly laughed. “And you get a discount.”
“Yep.” He smiled down at her. Her hazel eyes were nearly brown in the approaching twilight. “But there’s one thing that’s my favorite.”
She tilted her head. “What’s that, Mr. Architect?”
“You,” he whispered.
Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink, her eyes sparkling. If they weren’t in a public park and his daughter wasn’t a half-dozen yards away, he would have kissed her senseless.
As it was, his pulse hummed, and his skin buzzed at her nearness.
“You know what would make Hidden Hollows the most perfect place in the world to live?” she whispered.
He lowered his head, closer to her, so that he could breathe her in. “What?”
“You.” Everly tapped his chest. “And Jessica.”
The pink on her cheeks had darkened, and he was pretty sure her heart was hammering as much as his. And he no longer cared that they were in public. Austin lifted his hand and ran his thumb across her jaw, then moved his thumb to her soft lips. She exhaled a warm breath against his fingers. Before he could kiss her, Jessica called, “Daddy! Everly! Watch us!”
He hid a groan and looked over at the playground. Jessica and her new friend were on the teeter totter, but they were both standing and bending over to hold on.
“I don’t think that’s safe,” he called out. He released Everly and strode over at the same moment another parent headed toward Jessica’s friend.
“Lizzy,” the other man said. “That’s not safe. Why don’t you get on the swings, and I’ll push you.”
“Okay,” Lizzy said, a girl with curly blonde hair. “Can you push Jessica too?”
The man glanced at Austin, and Austin said, “I’ll push Jessica.”
“I’m Brad,” the other father said.
“Austin.”
They shook hands, and a moment later they were both standing next to each other, pushing their daughters on the swings.
“You’re new in town, right?” Brad asked.
“Yeah, I’m overseeing the theater renovation,” he said. “I brought my daughter here for the weekend.”
Brad’s gaze cut to Everly, who had started talking to a woman on the other side of the playground. “Oh, you must be the Austin who Everly is dating.”
Austin tried not to look stunned. “Yes, that’s right.”
Brad chuckled. “Sorry for the intrusion. My mother is the hair stylist for Everly’s mother.” He shrugged. “Small town talk, I guess.”
“Everly warned me.” Surprisingly, Austin wasn’t annoyed. “How old is your daughter?”
“She’ll be eight next week,” Brad said, smoothly transitioning. “Love this age. We have a couple of older kids, and they’d rather hang out with their friends than go to the park with their parents, know what I mean?”
“Jessica’s my only child,” Austin said. “But I’m pretty sure her excitement to be with Daddy won’t be happening when she’s a teen.”
“So true,” Brad said with a laugh. “Hey, if you have Jessica in town next weekend, I’m sure Lizzy would love to have her over for her birthday party. Her birthday’s on the Fourth of July, but we always do something just for her the night before.”
“Can she come? Daddy, please?” Lizzy called from her swing.
“Oops,” Brad said. “Probably should have spoken a little quieter.”
“Can I go, Dad?” Jessica called out.
Austin looked between the girls. “How about I talk to Grandma and see what’s going on back home, then we’ll decide.”
“Yay!” Jessica shouted.
The two girls were thick as thieves over the next thirty minutes as the sky darkened to a deep purple. The lights in the park switched on, and teenagers started to populate the nearby skate park with their bikes and skate boards. At the same time a group of girls began a pickup game of sand volleyball.
“This park really comes alive at night,” Austin commented as he stood on the side
of the playground with Brad.
“Yeah, summer’s like that in Hidden Hollows,” he said. “Once the day cools off, everyone gets their second wind.”
Austin chatted with Brad for a few more minutes, then Everly and the woman walked over. Turned out that the woman was Brad’s wife, Marci, her blonde hair almost identical to Lizzy’s. The conversation between the four of them was friendly, but Austin didn’t mistake the curiosity in Marci’s gaze as she glanced from him to Everly.
After everyone said good night, Jessica made it her sole mission to beg to come to Hidden Hollows next weekend for Lizzy’s birthday party.
“Did you get her dad’s cell phone number?” Jessica said, never one to miss a thing.
“I did,” Austin said, “And like I told you, I need to talk to Grandma.”
“Then call her right now!”
Austin exhaled. “We’ll talk to her when I drop you off on Sunday, okay? Now we need to get you to bed because we have a big day tomorrow.”
This seemed to mollify Jessica for about two minutes. Once they were in the truck, she started to beg again. “Call Grandma. It’s not her bedtime, and I don’t want to miss the party.”
Austin fired up the truck and tried to keep the impatience out of his voice. “Grandma is very busy with the craft fair this weekend, remember? Plus, next weekend is the Fourth of July, and Grandma might be sad if you were gone.”
“All right,” Jessica said, a pout in her voice. “But call her as soon as I wake up in the morning.”
“Hey, Jessica,” Everly said, “I wanted to ask if you know how to make bracelets?”
Austin glanced over at Everly. He wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but it had effectively changed the conversation because Jessica said in a much more cheerful tone, “What kind of bracelets?”
“Ones with sparkly pink and purple beads,” Everly said. “We have a brand-new bracelet kit in my store, and I really want to try it out. But I need someone to help me. Will you help me?”
“Okay,” Jessica said. “Can I make one for my grandma?”
“Sure,” Everly said in easy tone. “We can make as many as you’d like. Maybe we can even give one to Lizzy.”
Loving Her Fling Page 10