for dinner. No guys allowed.”
Her bottom lip pokes out. “Not even Ford?”
I snort out a laugh. “No way. Definitely not him.”
She cranks the pouting up a notch. “But Mama, he likes you.”
Is she serious? The suggestion alone baffles me. I squint at my daughter. “Honey, no. He doesn’t. And that’s okay. We’re thankful he helped us and that’s enough, right?”
Millie narrows her eyes in return. “But he teased you and was super grouchy. I thought that means he likes you? That’s what you always tell me when I cry about mean boys at school.”
Well, she has me there. My daughter is very clever, I’ll give her that. At least she’s been paying attention to me. But this is quite the predicament she’s put me in. I boop her nose. “Adults are different, sweetie.”
Josey snorts. “Yeah, right. Good one.”
I glare at her. “Hush. You’ve done enough already.”
“Such as find you the hottest outfit ever?”
“Exactly.” I slap on a Cheshire grin.
“It deserves repeating. You are so darn fine, Keke. I mean, wow.” She touches my arm, snatching her finger away as if I burned her.
I roll my eyes at her theatrics. “I’m a life-size disco ball.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that. All eyes will be on you.”
“That’s not what I had planned when this night was discussed.”
She waves off my concern. “Plans are meant to get bent.”
“I don’t think that’s a thing.”
“It is now. We’re partying college-girl style. No regrets!”
“Several years too late, my friend. I’m a mom and already exhausted. Squeezing myself into this getup expended all of my spare energy.”
She frowns and points at me. “This is happening.”
I hold up my palms. “Yes, okay. I wouldn’t dream of canceling.”
Josey bounces her eyebrows. “Because you want to meet someone special.”
“Ford will drool over you.” Millie claps a palm over her mouth, stifling a giggle.
“Ha, very funny. He won’t be anywhere close enough to slobber on me. And I thought we were done discussing him?” I cross my fingers for her to see.
“But I want to visit his shop again,” she whines.
I’ve been avoiding her request to see Crawford like last week’s trash. Nothing good can come out of either. Just when I think she’s dropped the idea for good, his name pops up. I’m one request away from getting her a dog to keep the distraction going. Little does she know, the idea of having a pooch to snuggle with has grown on me. It has nothing to do with that wolfhound at Iron Throttle. Not at all.
The doorbell chimes, saving me from another round of Ford inquisition. Millie launches off the bed and takes off toward the foyer. “I’ll get it,” she calls belatedly.
I laugh while following her retreating form. For such a shy child, she’s bold with those deemed worthy. When I arrive at the entryway, one of those few trusted individuals is crouching down at her level. I smile, giving our new arrival a wave. Alice stands and wraps me in a hug, much like she did with Millie moments ago. I met her on the first day we arrived in Silo Springs. She welcomed us to town with a broad grin and personal tour. I like to believe she pseudo-adopted us in that moment.
Shortly after, Alice introduced me to her daughter. Sutton Bowen lines me up with book cover design jobs and has become a close friend. The list of how helpful the Olsen clan is could go on and on. Their entire family is a true blessing to us in all the best ways.
Alice squeezes me tighter, reminding me of a mother’s embrace. “Hello, Keegan. I’m so pleased you called. We’ve been really looking forward to spending time with Millie.”
This woman reminds me so much of my mom. I swallow the ball of emotion that’s threatening tears. “Are you kidding? I’m the grateful one. It’s very kind of you to keep Millie until the morning.”
“Why not make it afternoon? Then you can sleep in.” She releases me, getting a good look at my outfit. “Oh, my. You’re certainly dressed to impress.”
“Right?” Josey approaches from behind, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “She’s so darn foxy.”
“My mama is gonna get a boyfriend.” Millie whispers the words to Alice, but her hushed tone is loud enough for all to hear.
I cough to cover a choking fit. “Ah, not likely. We’re just going to Bronco Buck for a few dances.”
Josey pinches my arm and I wince. “What she means is we’ll be shaking our booties until the sun rises.”
I