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Elly looked surprised and said, “Oh, you don’t have to do that. It was nice of you to invite me in for breakfast.”

Shaking my head, I glanced down at Ada, looking up at me. “Ada, tell Elly where we’re going today.”

She turned to Elly and said, “Ummm…. well…. we are doing where we go get pumpkins and hot cocoa. Right, Daddy?”

Laughing, I said, “Yes, sorta. We’re going to the Fall Fest later. First, I need to go to the grocery store and get us stocked up until next week. Then I was going to take Ada to the store to get some type of workbook. She knows her letters and sounds already, so I want to try to help her along with reading.”

Elly smiled and said, “A workbook is a great idea for learning. By the time she enters Kindergarten, she’ll be a pro.”

We smiled and looked down at Ada who was lying on the floor. “Ada…get up, girl. What are you doing?” I reached down and started tickling her.

“You talked a lot.”

“Okay smarty.” I looked back at Elly, “So, what do you say? Want to run around with us all day and do the Fall Fest later?”

Elly smiled and nodded. “I’d love to.”

That got Ada’s attention. She hopped up and said, “Yay!” and pumped her fist into the air.

*

It had been a perfect morning and felt different in a way that I couldn’t explain. Seeing Ada and Elly together felt…right, more than just being her nanny. Ada deserved a mother. She deserved to know what that felt like. It may have been absurd to have those thoughts of Elly, but it did make me think about the situation overall. I wished Ada could have that sort of relationship with someone.

We finally arrived at the Fall Fest and I was looking forward to a great time with Ada and Elly. I grinned at them and asked, “Alright, ladies! Who wants pumpkins?”

Chapter 9

Eliana

It had been an incredible day with Dean and Ada, but TJ blew up my phone the entire time. Thankfully, I had set it to silent before we left. I looked down to see a string of texts. I’d never gone long without responding to him, but I was so caught up in the day with Ada and Dean that I didn’t think about him once.

TJ: Hey babe, what are your plans after work?

Turns out, I never told him I didn’t have to work.

TJ: Hello? What’s up? Are you still mad at me?

TJ: Do you wanna go to the Fall Fest this weekend?

I honestly didn’t expect him to ask me to go to the Fall Fest.

A little voice took me out of my thoughts. “Ms. Elly…”

Ignoring his texts, I shoved my phone in my pocket and picked Ada up. “Yes, little lady?”

In the sweetest voice, she asked, “Can we get some hot cocoa?”

“Well, I don’t know. Did you ask your Daddy?” I looked up at Dean and caught him staring at me. I'm convinced God sat without any distractions when he created Dean Thorne because he's a beautiful man, the embodiment of perfection. A little on the grumpy side, but I kinda like that. I swooned over his muscular arms, coffee eyes, and short brown hair. He’d worn a grey hoodie with his sleeves rolled, bootcut jeans, and a pair of boots. Delicious.

Dean finally answered, “Of course. There’s a stand right over there.” We followed him over to the hot chocolate stand. Maple Lane Falls is a beautiful town, especially in Fall. Most of the buildings were ornately constructed in the 19th century, and nature paints the town in a striking display of reds, oranges, and golds for the season.

Dean bought us hot chocolates. Ada twisted out of my arms to reach for hers. Dean looked at Ada and said, “We’re gonna sit while we drink it so we don’t spill. It’s hot. You have to be careful. Blow on it.”

“I’m careful, daddy.” She sat at one of the picnic tables, looking adorable in her leggings and sweater. Her long red hair was pulled back into a long braid that trailed down her back, and she had a bow at the end.

Turning to Dean, I remarked, “I didn’t know you were an expert in braiding hair!”

He rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I am a single girl dad, and someone has to do it.”