AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m not sure.” He typed something in and waited, staring at his phone. “It’s Cash.”
“Texting you?”
He nodded, his forehead creased with concern. When another message came through, Knox stood. “Ava’s upset. Something to do with writing, and Cash has to run to Henry’s because Zinnia cut her finger badly enough she’s going in for stitches.”
“Right at dinnertime,” I said.
“He wants to know if I can come talk to Ava, see if I can calm her down.”
“Okay,” I said, also standing. “He reached out to you, Knox. Progress?”
“Maybe.” He typed again, then stuck his phone back in his pocket, then stopped short. “You have tonight off. I can take June Bug with me.”
“I told you I’m staying in. I’m happy to take care of her while you’re gone. Take your time.”
He studied me for a second, then nodded. Flashed a hint of a smile, closed the space between us, and kissed my forehead. “Thank you, Quincy.”
“Of course. We can tackle the rest of the books when you get back.”
“There’s no rush. If you get too hungry, order pizza without me. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
He kissed me again, this time on the lips, and then hurried out. It was only a short kiss, but it warmed me to my toes.Hewarmed me to my toes.
I went over to pick up Juniper and heard the front door shut.
“It’s just you and me, sweet pea.” I lifted her over my head, her eyes going big and that smile I loved popping up on her face. I perched her on my hip, went over to the half-full bookcase, and ran my fingers up a few of the thick spines. Now that several of the boxes were unpacked, the room somehow smelled even more like Knox. I breathed it in.
“You are one lucky baby girl,” I told June. “Your daddy is a special one.”
Juniper stared at me as if she was puzzling out what I said, and then she giggled and grasped on to my shirt with her fist. She rested her darling head on my shoulder.
I breathed in and closed my eyes, taking a moment to appreciate where I was, how I was feeling. Content. Comfortable in a way I hadn’t felt for…years? Ever? Maybe not since before my mom died.
My heart felt at home here, with this man and his daughter. Knox was so quietly caring and compassionate. He’d been counting down the days until his custom-made shelf showed up and been like a kid opening birthday presents with every book we unpacked, but when Cash texted him, when Ava needed help, he’d never once hesitated.
Just like he hadn’t truly hesitated when Juniper came into his life. He might not have admitted it to himself in the first couple of hours, but he’d accepted responsibility for this child almost immediately, long before knowing she was his. His heart was big, soft…irresistible.
Then it hit me like a rock crashing through a window—I’d fallen for Knox.
I was in love with him.
How could I not be, between that loving heart of his, the kind, intelligent, unselfish person he was, and the way he worshipped my body at night?
I. Loved. Knox.
My heart raced out of control with the realization and, grasping to Juniper, I caught my breath, leaned against the wall next to the shelf.
Because loving him wasn’t okay. It was never part of the plan. And that was a giant problem.
CHAPTER28
KNOX
Ipulled up to Ava and Cash’s cottage next to the inn. The place looked cozy, lived in, like a home, the way my house didn’t yet look from the curb.
Love lived here. It was plain to see in the pots of mums along the walkway and the two chairs with pillows and the low, warm light in the windows.
I got out and hurried to the front door. It took a while for it to open after I knocked, and when it finally did, Ava stood there, blinking at me in confusion, her eyes bloodshot and swollen.
