Page 55 of A Dream for Daphne

“You’ve got a lot more time on your hands now. I’m glad to know you’re getting out and doing things too.”

“Me too,” she said. “It won’t interfere with my job.”

“I didn’t think it would,” Poppy said. “Just like it’s not going to interfere with the job he has on the property. But if he wants to sneak over and kiss you if you’re outside, no one is going to care. I’d do that if I was in your shoes.”

“I’m being paid to watch your children, not kiss my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend,” Poppy said in a sappy voice.

“Now you’re being funny,” she said.

“Just trying to make light of it. And as I said, I won’t say anything to Aster. Not until you tell me the coast is clear.”

“Thanks,” she said. “I’m not trying to keep it from him. I have to work it all out more than anything.”

“And you will,” Poppy said. “So, tell me the fun things you’ve been doing. I’m an old married woman now with kids. Date nights are going to dinner and that is about it.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “But we’ve cooked for each other a few times. We went hiking and then on a sailboat cruise.”

“You’re both outdoor people. Not me. I need to live through you now. Tell me more,” Poppy said, rubbing her hands together.

She laughed. Yes, this was fun. And she was slowly relaxing about it all too.

19

AVALANCHE OF EMOTIONS

“You’ve got something on your face,” Daphne said on Monday mid-morning.

Abe reached up and tried to feel for something, but it only caused her to laugh more. “I’m smearing it, aren’t I?” he asked.

“You are,” she said. “Come here and I’ll take care of it if you want.”

He’d seen her outside with Holly, as the little girl was in the sandbox building. Daphne was right there with her while the baby was in the stroller in the shade.

“I don’t need my men to see me getting my face wiped by the nanny,” he said, crossing his eyes.

She stopped moving toward the container of baby wipes that he’d seen her going for. “Your girlfriend can’t wipe your face?”

His smile widened that she referred to herself that way.

He’d been unsure of what they had though he knew what he wanted it to be.

Seemed she might be old school and want the same.

This new generation of dating where everyone did their own thing and met up when they wanted wasn’t what he was looking for in life.

Separate lives for the most part and together when it was convenient for one or both of them.

Could be part of the reason he was still single too.

“I thought she liked a little bit of dirt on me,” he said, reaching for the wet cloth she handed over the fence to him.

“I do,” she said. “But not when it’s red and more like paint.”

“Shit,” he said.

“It looks like badly applied clown makeup.” She leaned in quickly. “I’m not into that type of thing. Are you a kink guy? I should know that now because clowns scare me.”

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