Page 70 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“Cass, thank you again for being our flower girl,” Julie said.

She nodded. “It was fun. Well, after a while…it was fun.”

“You did great.”

“Where’s Taylor?” Cassie asked.

“Well, she’s saying goodbye to her father. He’s going to the airport later today. Then it’ll just be Taylor and Muffy at the house for the next two weeks. I was hoping,” Julie said, glancing from Cassie, to him, to Grandpa Joe, “that you could look in on her once in a while.”

“Sure, we could do that!” Cassie jumped at the chance.

“Of course we’ll have that gal over for dinner. Make sure she doesn’t get lonely,” his dad said.

Coop kept silent.

“Daddy, can we invite Taylor to my next game?”

All three of them were looking at him, more like ganging up on him. He paused for a second. There was no way out of this. No reason not to be neighborly. “I don’t see why not.”

“Yippee!” Cassie hugged Coop tightly around the waist, her head smashed up against his stomach. “Thanks, Daddy.”

He ruffled the top of her hair. “Sure.”

When he looked up, Miguel was eyeing him carefully. “Coop, can I have a private word with you?”

“Uh, sure. Let’s step out back for a second.”

“Now what are you two up to?” Julie asked, but it was good-naturedly.

“Don’t worry, dear wife,” Miguel said with a wink. “You’d approve.”

Cassie took Julie by the hand. “Wanna see my school project? It’s all about sloths. I got an A on it.”

“I love sloths. And school projects.”

“Yeah, because you’re a teacher and all.”

Coop left the three of them and walked outside with Miguel. Once out of earshot of his daughter, he asked, “What’s up?” Though he had a pretty good idea.

“Listen man, I think we’re pretty good friends, otherwise I wouldn’t be butting in where I’m not wanted. But do you know what you’re doing with Taylor?”

“Me? I’m not doing anything with Taylor.”

“Exactly my point. She’s a keeper, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Coop’s skin prickled. “Should I notice?”

“Yeah, I think you should. Everybody knows what you’ve been through, Coop. But it’s been years and maybe it’s time for you to give yourself a break. Maybe it’s time to take a risk. Taylor isn’t going to break your heart again. She’s not going to leave you high and dry.”

“No? How can I be sure? Just think of what would happen to Cassie if she did?”

“Just think of what would happen to Cassie if she didn’t?”

The man had a point. Cassie idolized Taylor. He’d pretty much bombed out keeping the two from forming a bond. In many cases, he’d unwittingly encouraged it. “Besides, you’re talking as if Taylor was staying indefinitely. She’s not. She’s here only for two more weeks.” And he’d miss her like crazy.

“Unless someone wakes up and stops her from leaving. She loves it here, Coop. And I think if you tried, you could convince her stay. Just saying…”

Coop stared at his friend. He was right. At least, he thought so. But was it the right thing to do?

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