As soon as I’m back at the barn, I move straight to the stall. “Y’all about done?”
“Yeah.” Laiken drops the brush inside the bucket, then smiles at me. “What’s going on? You have that look.”
“What look?” I smirk.
“Like you have something up your sleeve.”
I chuckle. “Thought we could do some stargazing.” I hold up the bag that contains the thermos of hot chocolate. “I’ve got refreshments.”
“Did you get any Tootsie Rolls?” Trace asks as he dusts off his jeans.
“Yep. And only the chocolate ones.” I strap the bag onto my shoulder. “Let’s roll. It’s a school night.”
I’ve become familiar with Laiken’s bedtime routine. She’s not one to veer from the rules.Fucking cute.
They exit the stall, but as Trace darts to the ATV, I wrap an arm around Laiken’s waist. She giggles when I tug her to me, then bury my face in her neck. She smells like honey.Addicting.
“I love you,” I whisper against her skin.
She cranes back, eyes glistening as she looks at me. “I love you too.”
Pressing a quick kiss to her lips, I reluctantly release her. “Come on, Mama. Let’s take our boy to see the stars.”
Chapter forty-five
Laiken
“Congratulations, Albert.” I smile at the eighty-three-year-old man who just completed his final PT session. “Last time you have to do those bicep curls.”
He grins, his false teeth slipping with the movement. “Shame I won’t get to see my favorite girl.”
Albert is such a flirt.
“I’m sure I’ll see you around town.” I pat him on the back as I walk him back to the front.
His daughter places her magazine down, then pushes to her feet. “You ready, old man?”
“Born ready, darlin’.” He shuffles toward her, earning himself a kiss on the cheek.
She smiles at me over his head. “Thank you so much, Laiken. He’s improved so much over the last two months.”
“My pleasure.” She gathers his coat and fits it over his shoulders. “Y’all stay warm. Mother Nature decided to wake up in a bad mood today.”
We share a laugh as they leave the lobby, and I head behind the counter to tuck away his file.
My eyes veer out the window, my heart skipping a beat when I see Parker’s truck. It’s been parked in the lot for the last two hours. He insisted on waiting until I got off work so he could walk me safely to my car. I shake my head, closing the file cabinet. I only have about twenty minutes left until I’m done for the day. I need to sanitize some of the equipment, then tidy up the lobby.
I’m reaching for the cleaning supplies when the door chimes. Peering over my shoulder, I see Parker storming into the lobby. I frown, noting the tight clench of his jaw. I drop the spray bottle.
“What’s wrong?” I move toward him.
He stops a foot from me. “It’s Rhodes.”
I stop breathing.
“He’s out.”
“What do you mean they let him go?” I pace one way, then back the other.
