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I shake my head, laughing into the phone. “Well, I certainly can’t have that on my conscious. Duh, of course I will.”
“Yay!” she squeals loud enough to get Anna’s attention. “I’m so happy. Obviously, we have the engagement party coming up. I plan on asking everyone else then but wanted you to be my first.”
“That’s awesome. You know I’d be honored.”
“I’m so excited. My mom is going a little nuts over the planning, but it’ll be nice. Levi is so swamped at the office that it gives me time to help her. But! If you’re free, I’d love to hang out! You can tell me what’s new in your life.”
My lips curl into a cheesy grin. I don’t even know where to begin. “Well, actually—”
“Anna? Bridget?”
“Shoot, I gotta go. Mr. Brooks is here to take Anna out for the day. Call you later?”
“You better.”
I hang up and peer down at Anna. “Your dad’s home. Ready to meet him in the foyer?”
Anna spins one last time in the mirror then races out of her room. I stay close in case she trips on her princess dress as we make our way down the main staircase. When we turn the corner, we find Jonathon waiting at the bottom.
Anna squeals, and I blush. He’s in a pristine suit, his hair in place, his devilish smile on his lips.
“Hey there, kiddo. You ready to go on an adventure?”
“Yes, Daddy!”
Jonathon looks up at me as I descend the remainder of the stairs. “Thank you for getting her ready. She looks like a true princess.”
I curtsy. “Anything for the queen-to-be.”
Jonathon releases a hearty laugh as I straighten. “You two have fun. Did you need me to tell Alice if you’ll be home for dinner?”
Jonathon gazes at me for a beat before answering. “You know what, why don’t you join us?”
My eyes shoot to Anna as she twirls in her dress.
“I don’t want to intrude. It’s your—”
“I insist.”
“Are you sure?”
“It would make her day. Both of us. Come. You would be a great addition.” We hold our gazes for a bit longer, and I force my eyes from his, needing to break the connection.
“I guess I can tag along. As long as it’s okay with you, Anna.”
“Come! Come! You can eat ice cream with me and play in the park. Daddy is too big to go down the slide.”
Jonathon and I chuckle, and I take Anna’s hand. “Then it’s a date. Lead the way, Princess Anna.”
Children’s museum—check.
Lunch—check.
Ice cream—check.
By the time we make it to the park, I don’t know who’s more exhausted, me or Anna.
“Bridget, let’s go!” She grabs my hand and tugs me down the sidewalk toward the park. I almost lose my footing, and Jonathon reaches out and cups my waist to steady me.
“Easy, kiddo. Let’s let Miss Bridget keep her arm.” His gaze is heavy on me, his lips turning up into a sensual smile. Warmth spreads across my cheeks. It’s a mystery to me why he’s still single… If he is. He seems to keep his personal life under lock and key.
“It’s fine. I may be just as excited. It’s probably frowned upon to go down slides at my age. The little ones get territorial over their playground. I’m using Anna as my excuse to live out my childhood again.” I offer a playful smile. “Let’s go. I get to go down the big one first!”
I let Anna drag me all over the playground, enjoying every single bit of it. It’s been so long since I’ve felt so carefree. Even as a kid, my time was mostly spent at the church helping my parents. As I push Anna on the swings, I try to calculate how long it’s been since I’ve spoken to them. The day I moved out. Neither of them has tried to contact me. I thought once the dust settled, at least my dad would reach out. He would see he’s overreacting and tell me he accepts my choices. But nothing. For a man who preaches forgiveness, he can’t find it in his heart to show compassion to his own daughter.
“Bridget, faster.”
Anna pulls me out of my thoughts. My eyes find Jonathon in the distance, his phone to his ear, his eyes locked on me. “Wave at your dad.” I slap a happy grin on my face, ignoring the ping of lingering curiosity.
“I’m done. Can we go home?”
“Sure thing.” I slow her down and help her off the swing. She skips over to her dad and jumps in his arms as he ends his call.
“Swing me, Daddy.” Anna grabs each of our hands, and we walk together, swinging her up every third step. Her high-pitched giggles have us both laughing alongside her. “Higher, higher!” she exclaims, and Johnathon and I share in a look and, at the third step, we swing her up. “Yay! I’m flying like a bird.”
