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“The park?” I snort. “Which park?”
“The one with the turtle slides,” Lily replies defensively. “And the splash pad!”
“I think Papa Caden forgets that there’s only one park in Cypress Gardens,” Aspen titters.
“Boring,” I intone, falling onto a chair. Zoe brings me a plate, and I dig in right away, continuing to wave my head. As I swallow my first mouthful, I look at my small charge and wiggle an eyebrow. “I have a much better idea.”
As I silently predicted, Lily’s face glows with excitement. She likes my ideas.
“What is it?” Lily asks, sliding back into her chair to stare at me imploringly.
“Oh, I don’t know now. You said you wanted to go to the park with the turtle slides.” I wink at Aspen. “Do you like the park with the turtle slides, too, Miss Aspen, or would you rather go on a real adventure?”
I pop a piece of bacon in my mouth and chew, studying both their faces. Lily bobs her head eagerly as Aspen considers my offer.
“Don’t you have to work today?”
I wave a hand dismissively. “I took the day off,” I reassure her. “I’d much rather spend time with my favorite girl.”
My eyes linger on Aspen for a moment before grinning at Lily.
“I want to go with Papa Caden!” she cries.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Caden.”
All our heads turn collectively toward Pike, who has uttered his first words since I’ve arrived in the kitchen.
“Moi?” I ask innocently. “What do I ever do that’s stupid?”
Pike stares at me warningly. “I mean it,” he snaps. “And you’re not taking them out on the motorcycle.”
“Of course not,” I cackle. “There’s not enough room for the three of us. Ryan can drive us so I can give my girls the undivided attention they deserve.” I pause. “You’re welcome to join us, too, Pike.”
He grimaces and stands from his spot, closing his sketchbook. “No, thanks,” he replies. “I like all my appendages exactly where they are.”
He stalks out of the room, leaving Aspen staring after him in confusion. “What does he mean by that?” she asks cautiously.
“No idea,” I reply. “Go get ready and put on your bathing suits. We’re going to have a fun day!”
* * *
Lily’s shrieks echo across Lake Lanier as she clings to my waist, sandwiched firmly between me and Aspen.
The jet ski tips to the right, dipping dangerously close to the surface and dousing all of us in streams of water as Lily screams again, her delighted laughter music to my ears.
“SLOW DOWN!” Aspen begs, but I’m sure she’s enjoying this as much as Lily.
“More! More! More!” Lily clamors as I swivel the jet ski around, and we zoom back toward my sailboat.
I make two more circles, rendering Lily’s voice raw, and pull us back toward my thirty-foot boat, resting in the middle of the water.
The jet ski bobs along as we near, and I hear Aspen struggling to catch her breath. I shoot her a look over my shoulder, grinning at her disheveled appearance. The windblown dampness of her hair is sexy.
“How was that?”
“Nauseating,” she complains, but she’s choking back a smile beneath her scolding. “You should have warned me it was like that! She’s only four!”
“It’s fun, Aspen!” Lily insists. “You didn’t like it?”
