Page 47 of Riding the High

Most nights over the last two weeks, Mabel has already had dinner by the time Cole gets home. We talk while he eats then we play a boardgame or swim until Mabel is ready for bed. By the time his routine with her is done and he’s showered, it’s late. Which means, aside from a couple of nights I’ve mostly been hiding in my room with my romance novels and one of my “tools.” Normally I have more self-control. But seeing Cole come through the door every day in that damn uniform, and hugging his daughter like the perfect family man he is, I’m really being pushed to the limit.

Now, as I’m zipping up my suitcase, I glance down at my phone. Still no answer from Cole. We’re heading to the lake cabin he rents every year an hour outside of Lexington, as soon as he gets home and showered. Cole says staying at the cabin is like being the only people on earth. We’ll be gone for four days over the weekend and I’m just hoping for a comfortable bed and a good place to read my book.

My phone buzzes as I pick it up.

LAW DADDY

Thank you for helping her pack.

It took you that long to say thank you? Awkward.

LAW DADDY

You’re awkward.

Real mature.

You’ll be happy to know I’m almost packed and I have sweatshirts.

LAW DADDY

I was packed two days ago.

We can’t all be Captain Organized.

LAW DADDY

You could be somewhat organized though … Second Lieutenant Organized maybe?

I live my life one day at a time, Ashby. I don’t worry about organization. Or rules.

LAW DADDY

Exactly what you want to hear from the woman in charge of caring for your child.

Whatever, I scoff, and put my phone in my pocket just as I feel it buzz again. I can’t help myself, and pull it back out with a smirk.

LAW DADDY

Are you doing some sort of wifely thing and ignoring me?

Sure am.

LAW DADDY

Atta girl. Shows that maturity you made me realize I’m lacking.

Now get that ass packing. I’ll be home soon.

I shake my head and, this time, firmly place my phone in my shorts pocket. Oh, I’ll get packing alright.

I peek into the living room and spy Mabel sitting at the coffee table doing a sticker book and watching the movie I could probably recite from memory after the last two weeks.Annie. The new version with Jamie Foxx. She’s obsessed.

I decide I’m safe for mischief so I head into Cole’s room. His walls are cream and empty, and his bed is covered in an army green duvet with an ivory throw blanket at the bottom. The wood tones of his headboard match his dresser and the items that sit on top are sparse: some wood boxes, cologne, a watch box housing way too many watches for one person, a glasses case, and a framed photo of him and Mabes from the day she was born. I smile at the picture and sigh like a cartoon character with hearts for eyes, because the image of him holding the tiniest little bundle in his arms, and the look of love he’s giving her, is bewitching. I blink and remember the task at hand.

Focus, Ginger.

I spy his suitcase in the corner and hoist it up onto the bed.When I unzip it, I stand in shock. This suitcase looks like something I’d pin on Pinterest.

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