AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can’t a stepfather do that? Spoil his stepdaughter?” Jasper asked, winking at Maddie and sending her into fits of giggles.
She sighed, knowing this was a battle she wouldn’t win. Jasper was going to do what he wanted to do, regardless of what she said. “Yes, you can. But please, try not to overdo it. I don’t want her to become so spoiled that it goes to her head, and she turns into a brat.”
“Noted.”
“And we’re done. What do you think?” The hair stylist, Bree, asked. She was a petite blonde with a pixie cut and a nose ring.
And Freya’s hair looked—
“Lovely. Truly, lass.” Jasper handed his credit card to the stylist.
“Thanks. I think it looks amazing.”
“I’ll be right back with your receipt.” Bree smiled, then hastened over to the checkout counter.
Freya rose and knelt by Maddie, catching a distinct odor wafting from her tooshie. “Someone has some dirty pants. I’m gonna take her to the restroom and change her pants before we eat.”
“I’ll wait for you ladies right here.”
Freya lifted her from the stroller and grabbed the new diaper bag Jasper had included in the truckload of purchases yesterday. She carried her into the restroom. Maddie’s good mood was infectious.
“You really like Jasper, don’t you, baby?”
Maddie nodded and squeezed her new stuffed bear tight in response. Freya didn’t know how they had gotten so lucky. It was as if all her prayers had been answered. It didn’t mean she wasn’t waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’d be a fool if she let her guard down completely. But there was a definitive lessening of tension in her body.
When they returned, Jasper stood by the stroller, typing on his phone.
The moment he spotted them, he murmured, “We need to hurry with lunch if we’re going to make our appointment at Bloomingdale’s on time.”
She settled Maddie back into the stroller. “Lead the way. We could always eat in the food court. That would be fast.”
Jasper gave her an arched glance. “This place is better. I know the chef personally. And he’s promised to cook some mac and cheese just for Maddie.”
“Yay!” Maddie pumped her fists in delight.
Who was she to argue when he’d taken such pains to arrange everything today? “Okay, fine. Let’s go.”
Jasper placed a proprietary hand on her low back, showing everyone they passed she was with him. And for the first time in her life, she lifted her chin with pride.
11
Jasper didn’t take them far. The restaurant was one of many in the outdoor mall. And because it was such a nice day, they walked. She was grateful for the exercise after being cooped up in the salon all morning.
The restaurant was New Dublin Table. Freya had heard rave reviews about this place. It was an expanding chain of farm-to-table restaurants that specialized in organic fare.
But on her limited budget, she’d never tried them.
They walked inside, and the décor delighted her while her stomach rumbled at the delicious scents emanating from the kitchen. It had this eclectic mix of old-world Irish pub charm with a modern twist.
They were seated quickly with relative ease. Before she opened the menu, Jasper said, “Trust me on this. I already talked to Colin. He’s going to make us some special dishes.”
“How do you know this Colin guy?”
“I’m his cousin,” an unfamiliar male voice said with a hint of an Irish lilt.
Freya glanced at the man. He wasn’t as tall nor as broad-shouldered as Jasper. But that didn’t mean a thing because he was utterly gorgeous in his dark gray slacks and soft blue dress shirt that accentuated his tanned skin. He had a wealth of dark inky hair, neatly trimmed, with a close-cropped beard. He wore black, horn-rimmed glasses that only added to his sexiness. She spied the black wedding band on his left hand and wondered who the lucky lady was that scooped up such a hottie.
“Colin Ryan, I’d like you to meet my future bride, Freya, and her daughter, Maddie.”
