Page 56 of To Hold and Protect

“That’s a great idea. Let’s make it hardcover so it’s super special.”

“Can we get that done in time for her birthday?”

“I have a friend who makes hardcovers of their favorite books as gifts to her family and friends. She showed me once how she did it, and it’s pretty cool. I think if I get the story and illustrations scanned and formatted in the next two days, she’ll be able to bind them with covers in time. I’ll call her first thing in the morning.”

“Great. I’ll pay whatever to make it happen.”

“Nope, the present’s from me. I’ll cover the cost. Speaking of her birthday, that reminds me. I need to find bells for me and her.”

“You’re something else, you know that?” She really was. He softly kissed her. “Back to work.”

She returned to the daybed, and he picked up his brush and palette. As he began to layer paint on the canvas, he thought about her and how she was everything he could possibly want if he was looking for a serious relationship. Not only was he attracted to her—more than he’d ever been attracted to any other woman—but his daughter loved her.

Even if he wanted something more, she had a dream, and she was going to leave.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Things were moving along faster than Willow wanted. The house renovation was a week ahead of schedule, and the first ten chapters of her book had been sent to her agent to read, and she’d finished four more since. Only seven chapters left to go, and the first draft would be done. Buddy and his crew were making progress on the house faster than she’d expected, and she’d be able to put the house up for sale sooner than she’d planned. She wasn’t ready to think about leaving.

And why is that?Well, duh... Parker. Also, Everly. The little girl had stolen her heart, and it was going to hurt to leave them both when the time came. Her nights were spent in Parker’s studio, her writing and him painting. Sometimes their cookie breaks led to making love on the daybed, and sometimes they worked until their eyes were gritty and burned. Then he’d kiss her, and she’d go home to sleep alone while he went to his own bed.

She was doing her best to guard her heart, but she feared it was a losing battle. Even though she wasn’t ready to leave Parker and Everly, it was probably best that it was sooner rather than later. Not that she was trying very hard to distance herself from the two of them.

Everly said she needed a dress “so bad” for her birthday party, so Willow offered to take her shopping. Parker accepted and told her to try Fanny’s, the boutique that Willow had noticed on her first tour of downtown.

When she and Everly arrived, Fanny’s eyes lit up at seeing Everly, and she showed them her small assortment of little girl dresses.

“This one, Miss Willow.”

Willow removed the dress Everly was tugging on from the fixture. The dress with a square neckline was pale pink with an overskirt of lavender tulle. “You like this one?”

“I love it so much!” Everly exclaimed.

“Well, let’s try it on.” Most of the children’s clothing in the store was for girls Everly’s size, and Willow had a suspicion that the reason for that was Everly herself.

“Do you like it, Miss Willow?” Everly said as she pirouetted in front of the three-way mirror.

Willow nodded. “I think it’s perfect for your birthday party.” A dress for a princess.

“I need to show it to Miss Fanny.” She skipped out of the dressing room. “Miss Fanny, look at my birthday dress.”

Willow followed Everly to the middle of the store, where Fanny was talking to a pretty woman with long black hair. The woman was holding a pale blue sweater in front of her chest. The sweater matched the woman’s eyes.

“I think I’ll take this one,” the woman said. Then she smiled at Everly. “Well, aren’t you pretty in that dress.” She kneeled in front of Everly. “Is it for a special occasion?”

Everly backed up a step. “I’m not allowed to talk to strangers.”

“Aren’t you the sweetest thing? My name is Cassandra. See, now I’m not a stranger. What’s your name, honey?”

Willow glanced at Fanny, who was frowning. The woman was entirely too friendly to a little girl she didn’t know. Willow put her hand on Everly’s shoulder. “Sweetie, let’s go change out of your dress so we can take it home.” She purposely didn’t use Everly’s name. When they came out of the dressing room, the woman was gone. Willow took the dress to the register, and when she handed Fanny her credit card, Fanny refused to take it. “Parker called and said to put it on his account.” Fanny gave her a curious look. “He also said for you to pick out a dress for the birthday party.”

“Oh, I’m good.” She hadn’t even thought about what she was going to wear tomorrow, but one of her sundresses would be fine.

“He said you’d say that. He also said that I’m to lock the door and not let you out until you find something you like.”

Willow glanced at the door. “You’re making that up.”

“Nope. Try to leave if you don’t believe me. Or you could just go in dressing room two where there are a few items to try on that I think you’ll like.”

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