Page 46 of Holding Ground

Elliott gets up from the table, grabbing a couple of empty beer bottles. “Anyone want to stick around for a fire out back?”

“I’m gonna head out.” Roy looks down the table at Clyde. “You’re with me. I’ll drop you off on the way.”

“Fair enough.” Clyde fixes his attention on me. “Good to see you again. You’re invited back to our game whenever you want.”

I smile at him. “Thanks, Clyde. I’m honored.”

The two older men say their goodbyes, then head out while I help Elliott clean up.

“You gonna come join us at the fire?” Ansel asks.

“I don’t think so. I’m pretty⁠—”

“Daddy?”

We all whip around to find Baylor standing at the edge of the kitchen, wearing the cutest little pajamas with teddy bears on them, rubbing her eyes.

“What are you doing up, kiddo?” Elliott walks past me to her.

She yawns.

“C’mon, I’ll put you back to bed.” He holds out his arms to pick her up, but she backs away, shaking her head.

“Get out of the way, she wants her favorite uncle,” Ansel says.

“Which would be me.” Hollis steps in front of Ansel before he can reach Baylor.

Baylor shakes her head. “I want Emelia to do it.”

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

Elliott

My daughter’s words are like a punch to the gut.

“I want Emelia to do it.”

All eyes shift in Emelia’s direction.

She looks surprised, but not—I notice—uncomfortable with the request.

Still, Baylor isn’t her responsibility. “I’ll put you back to bed.”

“I can do it,” Emelia says, stepping forward.

My brothers part, watching her walk across the kitchen as if she’s got some kind of halo hovering over her head.

“You don’t have to⁠—”

“I want to.” She squeezes my shoulder in an “it’s okay” gesture.

Her hand is only on me for a second or two tops, but it’s enough to send a spike of desire coursing through my body.

“I was just about to go to bed anyway.” She leans over, swooping Baylor up, who rests her head on Emelia’s shoulder the minute she’s in her arms.

My chest aches from the natural ease with which they move around each other.