Page 58 of To Hold and Protect

The small package was waiting for them on the porch when they arrived home, and Everly picked it up. “Is this my present?”

“It’s a present for both of us.”

“Can I open it?”

“Yes, as soon as we get inside.” She got the door unlocked, and inside, set the shopping bag on her gorgeous new granite countertop. The house was turning out to be awesome. She could easily be happy here if she didn’t have a dream of living on the beach. Lately, the idea of leaving made her sad, so she pushed the thought away.

She found a pair of scissors, cut the tape on the box, then handed it to Everly. “Go for it.”

“Oh, bracelets.” Everly picked them up. “One for me and one for you?”

“Yes, with bells.”

Everly laughed. “I told my daddy I wanted to wear bells to my birthday party like you.”

“I know. He told me.”

Suddenly, Everly flew at her, wrapped her arms around Willow’s waist, and hugged her. “Thank you, Miss Willow. I love you so much.”

Willow’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you, too, sweetie.” How was she supposed to walk away from this little girl? From her father?

The birthday party started at four and was being held at the community center that Parker had apparently paid to have built and then had donated to the town. Willow had driven by it but hadn’t been inside. She was looking forward to seeing it.

Everly had asked her to come over and help her get dressed. “I can help you,” Parker said when Everly had asked Willow to.

“No, you’re a boy. Boys don’t know how to get pretty.”

Willow disagreed. She thought Parker was pretty darn gorgeous. With her new dress and sandals on, she walked next door. Parker was sitting on the porch, and when he stood, she blew out a breath. She’d seen him in sweats when he was painting, in jeans and a T-shirt, in his fire chief’s uniform, but she’d never seen him in dress pants and a button-up. The pants were charcoal gray, the shirt a dusty rose with sleeves he’d rolled up.

Beautiful, beautiful boy.

He hadn’t seen her dress, so he couldn’t have known they’d match. He must have chosen the shirt to match Everly’s dress, but the three of them color coordinated was going to make them look like she and Parker were a couple. His gaze stayed on her as she walked up the steps, then stopped in front of him. Should she offer to change her dress so they didn’t seem to be sending a message that they were together?

“Beautiful girl.” He reached up and curled a lock of her hair around his finger.

“Thank you.” Jeez, she sounded breathless. “And thank you for the dress, but do you want me to change into something else?”

Puzzlement filled his eyes. “Why? You’re perfect just the way you are.”

She touched his shirt. “You, Everly, and I match. People are going to talk.”

“I don’t care.” He lowered his mouth to hers, just a quick brush of his lips over hers. “You better go in and help Everly. She’s having her first ever fit of nerves because of a party. Harper’s here and offered to help her get dressed, but the little brat stomped her foot and said that was Miss Willow’s job. Makes me dread the teenage years if this is a preview.”

Willow laughed. “Be afraid, very afraid.”

He shuddered. “Trust me, I am.”

“Guess I better go in. Where’s her room?”

“Come with me.” He took her hand.

She wasn’t sure they were a secret anymore, not with his buying her a dress—cluing Fanny in—holding her hand as they passed Kade and Harper on the way to Everly’s room, and going to his daughter’s birthday party wearing matching colors.

What had changed since they’d agreed that they’d keep their fling a secret?

Chapter Twenty-Five

The entire town had turned out for Everly’s birthday. Parker would have preferred something low-key. Cake and ice cream at home with just family. Well, and Willow, of course. That was what they’d done in years past, but to his daughter, turning six meant she wasn’t a baby anymore. She was a big girl now, and she’d wanted to invite all the other “big girls and boys” so they would all be her friends when she started first grade.

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