No Matter What (The Billionaires of Sawgrass #4) - Delaney Cameron Page 0,25

feel bad for Owen. Who wouldn’t? But he’s not without at least one family member who’s ready and willing to take care of him. Based on Barb’s comments, she’s not going to give up easily. If she can’t get a judge to see things her way, she’ll come right back to hounding you. Is it really worth all this going back and forth? I know how you felt about Piper, but you can’t let your heart overrule your…”

His voice was replaced by static.

“Wade? Are you there?”

More static, and then, “…talk about this…get back…”

“Wade? I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m only getting part of what you’re saying.”

“…interference…on board...I’ll call…soon…”

She sighed as she pocketed her phone. Maybe it was for the best that the call ended when it did. Some subjects didn’t lend themselves to being discussed over the phone. This fact didn’t make Wade’s less-than-positive reception to her news any easier to accept. More troubling than his warnings of future trouble with Daniel’s family was his implication that her agreement to the guardianship was an idealistic gesture based on emotion rather than practicality. Did he think she viewed the commitments she made so lightly? Or that having once made them, she saw nothing wrong in finding ways to get out of them?

A heavy sigh slipped through her lips. She needed to take a step back. It was natural that Wade would be concerned about how Owen’s arrival would affect their relationship both now and going forward. She would do better not to judge his remarks too harshly or get upset because his response didn’t line up with her expectations. This was only a first reaction to some heavy stuff. When they were able to discuss it again, he would better understand the reasons behind her actions.

Somewhat cheered by these thoughts, she locked the car and went to join Kait and Owen.

* * * * *

Expecting his guests would sleep in again, Reece had gone for his usual morning walk. So far the only people he’d seen were his neighbors Liam and Claire. They’d been married a little over a year. Witnessing their happiness was both inspiring and frustrating. On the one hand, it demonstrated how awesome love could be. On the other, it left no doubts about how far he was from attaining it.

“Hey, mister! I like your dog!”

Reece quickly located the source of the childish voice. Standing about fifteen yards away was a little boy. In his hand was a bright red shovel. His mother was sitting on a blanket nearby.

“Thank you,” he said, smiling in their direction.

“Can I pet her?”

“If it’s all right with your mom.”

“She’s not my mom,” the boy said, dropping the shovel in the sand and wiping his hands on his Hawaiian print swimming trunks.

Reece glanced apologetically at the woman. “There I go putting my foot in my mouth again.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she assured him. “It was a natural assumption.”

The boy ran over to where Reece stood. Gypsy was no less excited. She loved everyone, but she was especially partial to kids.

“What’s your dog’s name?”

“Gypsy. Mine’s Reece. What’s yours?”

“Owen.” He ran his hand over Gypsy’s head. “She’s all wet.”

“Yes, she is. I can’t keep her out of the water.”

“I like getting in the water, too. Aunt Kait stuck her foot in and said it was too cold for her.”

Reece pointed to the piles of sand next to the shovel. “What are you working on over there?”

“A castle. Aunt Kait helped me put up the walls. I’m waiting on Aunt Robin to help me build a bridge. She’s talking on the phone back at the car.”

This was Reece’s lightbulb moment. He turned to address the woman. “Are you the same Kait and Robin who own Truly Scrumptious?”

She nodded as she came to her feet and walked over to join him and Owen. “We are, and unless I’m mistaken, you’re Reece Diamond.”

“That’s right. My personal assistant is one of your regulars. You may not remember her among all your other customers. Her name is Sylvie.”

Kait smiled widely. “Of course I know Sylvie. She comes in every week. I had no idea she worked for you.”

“She doesn’t like to tell people. She says it brings the wrong kind of attention. I used to think that was a compliment, but she corrected me.”

Owen tugged on his arm. “Hey, Reece. Does Gypsy like to chase balls?”

“She loves to. Do you have one?”

Instead of answering, Owen ran over and dug around in a backpack. After a few