“They’re capitalizing on the notoriety,” Vanessa said.
“One hundred percent,” Jackson agreed.
They ventured inside the restaurant, where they were seated at a round table.Emily chattered about her art project at camp, and her ideas for a lemonade stand.When the waitress took their drink order, Emily requested lemonade.Vanessa asked for a lime margarita.Jackson wanted lemon-lime soda.The waitress, an adorable brunette in a short skirt, gave Jackson a flirty look as she walked away.
“How was your day?”Jackson asked Emily.
“Penelope got bit by a snake,” Emily said.“And Mommy kissed Mr.Paul.”
Jackson arched a brow at Vanessa.“Did she really?”
“Emily dreamed that,” Vanessa said, her cheeks heating.
“Which part?”
“All of it.”
“I wasn’t dreaming,” Emily said.“I waked up.”
“I didn’t see a snake,” Vanessa said.
“Penelope did,” Emily said.“She told me.”
“Where does Paul come in?”Jackson asked.
“He got a muscle cramp while he was swimming,” Vanessa said.“I waded in after him.”
“He got a muscle cramp,” Jackson repeated, his skepticism clear.
“I helped him back to shore.”
“And you gave him mouth to mouth?”
Instead of answering, Vanessa bit into a tortilla chip.
“He eats lemons,” Emily said.“Then his face puckers up and pops out the other side.”She demonstrated the expression with fish lips and crossed eyes.“Mommy was helping him fix his face.”
Vanessa giggled at this misinterpretation and didn’t correct her.The waitress arrived with their drinks and a box of crayons for Emily.Jackson ordered ceviche while Vanessa decided on a shrimp tostada.Emily asked for queso and chips.Then she started coloring a cartoon chili pepper on the paper menu.Jackson studied Vanessa as if she’d grown two heads.
“What?”Vanessa asked, exasperated.“You and Dad can cut a swath the size of Texas through the female population, but I’m expected to act like a nun?”
Jackson narrowed his eyes.“Is this your new strategy to win him over?”
“It was more of a momentary lapse of reason.”
“Speaking of Dad…”
“Let’s not.”
“He’s got the day off tomorrow.”Then he switched to Spanish, because Emily didn’t understand the language.Both Jackson and Vanessa had learned it from their grandparents.“Quiere verla.”
He wants to see her.
Vanessa had never refused to let her father visit Emily.He’d come to Colorado several times with Jackson to see his granddaughter.She just didn’t participate in their get-togethers.“Fine,” she said coolly.
“What’s your plan for tonight?”
She shrugged.“We can camp again.”
