Page 17 of Small Town Prince Charming

“She didn’t say it, but she looked at you the way Miss Peters looked at Mr. Peters before they got married.” Maisey held onto her backpack. “She’s better than Mrs. Simec.”

“I’ve always wondered, why don’t you like her? She’s Erin’s mom, and you like Erin. She’s your friend.” He pulled out of the lot and onto the main drag. Blakes Creek wasn’t busy during rush hour and certainly so late in the evening. The town seemed to roll up the sidewalks at five in the afternoon.

“But, Daddy...she’s Erin’s mom. I want a mom of my own,” Maisey said.

“You have one and your mother loved you very much.” At least she’d done so in the only way she knew how. “She misses you.”

“I want a real mom. One who isn’t dead.” Maisey tucked her knees to her chest. “I want a mom who wants to play with me.”

“I know.” He wanted to be able to play with Maisey, too.

“Erin’s mom just likes money.”

Damn. Maisey had hit the nail on the head with that one. She’d also unintentionally brought up a good point. He’d never be rich, so why did Katie Simec seem determined to chase him? Because he was the most eligible bachelor in Blakes Creek? She could have Derek.

“Did you get the tick off Miss Tracey?” Maisey asked. “Was it in her hair?”

“There wasn’t a tick,” he said. “Just a little bit of dirt.”

“Oh, good. I don’t like ticks.” Maisey shivered. “Miss Tracey is too nice to get a tick.”

“You’re nice yet you managed to have one climb on you. Besides, that’s not how you get a tick.” He should explain the situation to her, but he didn’t want to drag her into his problems just yet. He pulled into the gravel drive next to their apartment building and parked. “You need a bath.”

“I know.” Maisey left the truck. She waited for him to lock the vehicle and unlock the front door. “I did my homework.”

“Good girl.” He retrieved the mail. “Change and I’ll run the water.”

“I know, Daddy.”

Yet, every night she tried to get out of bath time. If he forgot, she conveniently forgot to remind him. He checked the pile of bills and opted to deal with them later. After he started the water and added the suds, he withdrew his phone from his pocket and texted Tracey.

You’re a hit. She’s smitten.

Within seconds, Tracey replied.

Ah, but are you?

Completely. He turned off the water, then replied.

I am, but you’re also hard to resist.

He put the phone on the sink while he bathed Maisey. Once he washed her hair, rinsed and dried her off, she dressed in her pajamas, then brushed her teeth. She picked out a story and, for the first time in two weeks, he read to her before she went to sleep.

“Daddy? Does true love exist? The princess wanted to be loved, but what if the prince didn’t show up on time? What if he was late? What if he had to go to the bathroom? Would she still be rescued?”

She really had gone for the deep thoughts tonight. “Things happen for a reason. If that’s her prince, then he’ll find her.”

“Okay.” Maisey settled under the covers. “I hope you find your princess, Daddy.”

“I have you. I don’t need a princess.” He kissed her forehead. “’Night, kid.”

“’Night Daddy.” She held onto her pink teddy bear. “I think Miss Tracey needs us. She’s lonely.”

“Maybe.” He switched on the nightlight and left her door open a crack. She’d wear him to a frazzle with her matchmaking. He’d just told Katie Simec he wasn’t looking for a date, yet he couldn’t get Tracey out of his mind and his daughter seemed to want him and Tracey together.

He picked up his phone and typed a message to Tracey.

We had fun tonight.

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