If We Dare - J.H. Croix Page 0,58

and let your dad figure out when it’s time for that tooth to come out.”

Rylie bent her head down, biting her lower lip as her brow furrowed once she began to focus on her next work of art. “Valentine promised she would decide this time.” Rylie had always called Valentina Valentine. With Valentina and Lucas going strong, I hoped they would make it official soon. No matter what Rylie called her, Valentina was becoming her mother in every way that counted as far as taking care of her.

“Oh, so your dad’s not in charge of that anymore?”

“Last time, Daddy said a tooth was ready to come out, and it wasn’t.”

“Always smart to listen to Valentina,” I replied with a solemn nod.

As if conjured by our discussion of her wisdom, the front door opened, and Valentina came in, her arms laden with grocery bags.

I jumped up from the table, hurrying over. “Do you need some help?”

Valentina’s red curls bounced when she shook her head. “There’s nothing left to get. I always carry more than I should.”

I helped unload from her arms, and we began putting the groceries away. Until Valentina had moved in, I’d spent three or four days a week at Lucas’s house because I was his main daycare person when Rylie wasn’t in school. She was only now finishing first grade. He paid me quite well, but having Valentina in their lives meant he didn’t need my help nearly as much.

Not that I’d ever minded taking care of Rylie, not even a little, but I was beyond pleased Valentina was here for Lucas and Rylie. It gave me the opportunity to get my focus back on track for my life. Sometimes that felt good, but I still felt like I was middling along.

I watched as Valentina leaned over and dropped a kiss on Rylie’s dark hair. The easy relationship they had warmed my heart. A small part of me suddenly wondered if I might ever have anything like that.

I’d comfortably lived with the idea that I didn’t even want anything like that. And then, Walker came along.

“How was today?” Valentina asked as she straightened.

I put a can of olives on the shelf in one of the cabinets, replying, “Just great. I wasn’t sure when you’d be back.”

Valentina shrugged. “Me neither. It took longer than I planned. I went with Lucas for his physical in Asheville, and then we did some errands. I dropped him off at the lodge and came home. I didn’t know if you were working tonight at the bar,” she said, glancing my way as she closed the refrigerator after putting away a few items.

“Not tonight.”

“Are you planning on looking for anything else for work? Dani is always scouting out wait staff for the lodge.”

I smiled. “Not that I would mind working there, but I make more money as a bartender. If she wanted me to cover some bartending shifts, I’d be all over that.”

“I’ll let her know. Another guy quit recently because he moved out of town with his girlfriend.”

“I’d be happy to fill in there.” I leaned my hips against the counter as I reached for the cup of coffee I’d left there earlier and took a sip. “I need to figure out what the hell I wanna do.”

I quickly slapped my hand over my mouth, realizing I’d said “hell.” I was usually pretty well trained around Riley, but every now and then I spaced it.

So absorbed in whatever she was drawing, Rylie didn’t even notice. Valentina flashed me a quick grin.

I took another sip and lowered my cup. “This is lukewarm, and I could use some fresh coffee. Should I make a pot?”

Valentina nodded. “That would be excellent. I didn’t get enough coffee this morning, and I’ve got some bookkeeping to catch up on tonight for the lodge.”

While I got the coffee started, Valentina paused beside Rylie, her hand on her shoulder. “I had a phone call on my way home. You know the new girl who lives across the street?” At Rylie’s nod, Valentina continued, “Her mom invited you over to help bake cookies. Do you want to go over there?”

I tapped the start button just in time to see Rylie’s head bouncing with her enthusiastic nod. “When can I go?” She scrambled out of her chair.

“As soon as you clean up the table here. Unless there’s more mess that I need to check with Jade about.” Valentina glanced at me.

“Not a thing. She’s all set. I heard about this new friend.