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“Adult stuff.”
“Mom,” she whines. “You always say adult stuff when you don’t want to tell me the truth.”
“This time, my little smart alec, I said adult stuff because it’s Fender’s stuff. Stuff he trusted me to keep private and not tell anyone else.”
Stuff she wouldn’t understand even if I did tell her.
“Even me?” she asks.
“Even you.”
“Huh.” She continues to eat her ice cream and I don’t speak again. I remain silent and give her the space to let what I said sink in.
“Can I go see the squirrel again?” she asks once she’s finished her cone.
“I’m not getting you a puppy,” I say as I stand to throw our napkins away.
As we walk to the pet store, I blow out a breath in relief. She’s done being upset with Fender for now.
I, on the other hand, plan to give the man a piece of my mind the next time I see him. How dare he make my daughter think he doesn’t like her.
Chapter 23
Puppy – the best apology a little girl can ask for
Fender
My heart pounds as I march up the walkway to Leia’s house. I wouldn’t blame her if she slammed the door in my face.
But I hope she doesn’t. I need to make things right with her and Isla. I should have never fled this morning. Now, Isla thinks I hate her. I heard her scream the words.
I don’t hate her. I could never hate her. I love the cutie pie. How can I not? She’s perfect.
I knock on Leia’s door. She scowls at me when she opens it. But she doesn’t say a word. Merely points to Isla sitting in the living room.
I make my way to the little girl. I set the box with her gift on the floor before sitting on the coffee table in front of her.
“Hey, Isla.”
She narrows her eyes at me and crosses her arms over her chest. She couldn’t resemble her mother more if she tried. She’s adorable.
“I need to apologize.”
She nods.
“I’m sorry I ran away this morning.”
She doesn’t immediately accept my apology. Not my mini-firecracker.
“Why did you run away?”
Darn. She isn’t going to make this easy for me.
“My reasons have nothing to do with you.”
She sighs. “Mom said the same thing. You have adult reasons.”
“I do have my reasons, but it doesn’t excuse me running away like a bear caught with his hand in a honey jar.”
