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“You’re not supposed to see this yet, but I think it’s okay since you’re my Wyatt.” She plops her crown on her head and he puts his hand up to his chin, nodding as he assesses her.
“It’s official,” he says. “You are a princess. Theo,” he calls, “did you know you have a princess in your house?”
Dakota laughs and Theo comes over to study her too.
“Yes,” Theo says, his voice serious. “I had a feeling when she stayed here the first night. I put a tiny rock under her mattress to test it and sure enough, she moved out a few days later to finer dwellings, just likeThe Princess and the Pea.”
Theo knows we have an adorable version of that book, but I’m still impressed that he pulled that out so fast. Dakota’s eyes are wide as she takes her crown off and carefully sets it back on the table.
“No, I only left because Mama said so.” She looks at me for backup, and I lift my hands in a shrug but wink at her.
She grins, comfortable now that she knows they’re joking. “Mama knows I don’t need any rocks!” She shakes her head emphatically. “Right, Mama?”
“That’s right. No rocks for my princess.” I hold up my hand and she gives me a high five.
I glance at Wyatt, who is watching us with a sweet grin on his face. Before, I would’ve thought it was only because of Dakota, but after our conversation, either something has changed between us or I’m seeing who he really is now.
Or maybe both.
“What do princesses eat for dinner?” Sofie asks. “Pizza, maybe?”
“Pizza!” Dakota cheers.
“Perfect. I thought maybe we’d order a pizza from Pierre.”
“Who’s Pierre?” I ask.
“Oh, he owns The Dancing Emu,” Sofie says. “But he’s been gone for a while, just got back into town, I guess. I ran into him at Happy Cow. He said he had to work out some family drama.”
“I didn’t realize he was back. I wonder if Jack knows,” Wyatt says.
“Who’s Jack?” I ask.
Sofie makes a face. “Sorry, we need to do a better job of catching you up on who everyone is.”
“I’m learning a little bit from working at the hospital, but honestly, besides work and hanging out with you guys, the occasional Happy Cow trip, and the one night at The Pink Ski, Dakota and I don’t get out much.”
Wyatt leans in closer and says, “Jack owns The Gnarly Vine, but he’s a bit of a recluse. Stays in the kitchen most of the time. He and Pierre stay out of each other’s way.”
“Did something bad happen between them?” I ask.
“No one really knows,” Wyatt says. “But Jack was a lot happier with Pierre out of town.”
“When do you see Jack?” Theo asks.
“We have a little barter situation going on. He gives me free wine, I take care of his doctor visits. I get the better end of the deal.” He laughs.
“Did everyone figure out the dresses?” Theo asks Sofie.
While they’re talking about that, Wyatt looks at me. “Have you met Jo yet?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“She owns Sunny Side with her husband, Mark. And we really need to get you to Tiptop. You’d love it. One of my best friends, besides my brothers, owns that restaurant…Blake and his wife, Camilla. They have a view like you won’t believe.”
“For being such a small town, Landmark has so much to do. I’ve really only barely scratched the surface.”
“Are you doing anything next Saturday?” he asks.
