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“Got it. Well, she’s waking up the hands, so either you tell her to keep it down, or I will.”
“I’m on it.” He didn’t want Grace getting in trouble for something that wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know the bunkhouse was so close. In fact, she’d be mortified to find out she’d been putting on a show for the unsuspecting guys.
Joseph turned to go, his boots heavy on the porch. He stopped at the top of the stairs and glanced at him over his shoulder. “That bull’s comin’ in around noon. Since you’re home for the day, you wanna be there?”
Jaime nodded. “Text me when the truck’s at the gate.”
“Will do.”
After he shut the door, he hurried to catch up with his daughter. “Kinsley? I’ve got to take care of something, and you need to come with me.” He found her in the kitchen in nothing but her lime green underpants. “Can you get dressed, please? Quickly?”
“No, thank you.” Kinsley grabbed his phone off the counter where it was charging and typed out a message with her thumbs.
This kid.Way too mature for her age.
“What’re you doing?” By the time he caught up with her, though, she’d set the phone back down.
“I asked Grandma to come over.”
“You can’t just make demands like that.” He quickly dialed his mom.
“Morning, sweet pea.” His mom obviously thought it was his daughter because she used her soft, sweet voice. “I’m just getting my shoes on.”
“No, Mom.”
“Oh, good morning, sweetheart.” For him, she used her brisk, ranch owner voice. “Give me five minutes.”
“Mom, stop. You don’t have to come over. Kinsley shouldn’t have texted you. I just have one thing—”
“You know I don’t mind.” She disconnected.
“Kinsley.”Dammit.“I want Grandma to do less, not more.”
“You want her to do lesswork. You don’t want her to be less of agrandma.”
She’s got you there.“You can come with me for a quick errand.”
“But I’m right in the middle of something.”
“At six in the morning?”
“Yes.”
As an only child, he worried about her spending too much time alone, but she was industrious, always deeply involved in one project or another.Whatever.He had to get going.“I’m going to get dressed.”Passing through the living room, he said, “I’ll make French toast when I get back.”
“Grandma’s bringing cinnamon rolls,” Kinsley called from the kitchen. “I asked.”
“When did you have time?”
“Me and Grandma have our own language. She gets me.” Kinsley gave him a teasing smile, and his whole body went warm with affection.
He’d never wanted children. Being the oldest of six had been enough kid chaos for a lifetime, but his daughter was unlike anyone he’d ever known. A true one-of-a-kind, she was bright, creative, loving, kind, generous, and curious beyond measure.
She’d also revealed to him a capacity to love beyond anything he could’ve imagined. He adored his little girl. She was his life.
If anything ever happened to her—
Fear gripped his chest and squeezed. He forced himself to shake it off.
