Page 25 of Small Town Prince Charming

“I wanted to give you a fighting chance. You should be able to decide between us. I think you know who you want,” she said. “But it’s up to you.”

“Katie,” he began.

“Just think about it.” She smiled. “By the way, she looks like she’s ready to spit nails.”

“Stop. I’m with Tracey. The rumors are true, and she’s my girl, okay? You and I will never be anything.” He side-stepped her and braced himself for the discussion with Tracey. He had to fix this.

Tracey strode up to him but didn’t stop.

“I know... We have to talk.” He whipped around to follow her, but spotted Maisey in the aisle. Fuck. “Maisey.”

Tracey scooped Maisey into her arms. “It’s okay.” She carried Maisey up the aisle to the back of the theatre and away from the growing crowd.

The best he could do was keep up with them. He’d let so many people down, but never planned on doing it to Maisey or Tracey.

“Daddy, why did you kiss her?” Maisey wiped her tear-stained face. “I don’t want you to pick her. I asked for Tracey. She’s the one I want for my mom.”

“Wait, kid. I didn’t pick Mrs. Simec,” he said. “I know you don’t understand, but I didn’t pick her.”

Maisey continued to cry.

Tracey placed Maisey on her feet and knelt in front of her. “Listen to me.” She held Maisey’s hands. “Sometimes adults do strange things, and they don’t behave the way they should because they’re scared. Your daddy loves you very much, and he wouldn’t pick a new mom for you without your input. I know that. You are the most important person in his life.”

Maisey continued to sob and held tight to Tracey’s fingers, but she said nothing.

He had to say something and fix the problems. Christ. He hated to see Maisey upset. “Adults do things sometimes without knowing it’ll hurt other people.”

Maisey leaned into Tracey but stared at Ryan. “I lost my first mom. I don’t want someone to take away Miss Tracey, too.”

“No one will take her.” Ryan knelt with them. “But I have a question for you.” He switched his gaze between Maisey and Tracey. What happened in his life affected Maisey’s and she deserved a say—like Tracey said. “I’d like to keep Miss Tracey in our life. Do you want to keep her?”

“Yes.” Maisey hugged Tracey tighter. “Please?”

He reached for Tracey’s hand. “We’ve talked about you like you’re a thing and not a person. I’m sorry. That said, will you accept both of us?”

“As a package deal?” Tracey asked. She squeezed his fingers. “Yes, I do.”

He could hear her say that a thousand times. One day, she’d utter those words when he married her.

Maisey hugged her tight. “Will you watch my dance?”

“I will.” Tracey hugged Maisey. “I want to see you dance and be happy. You love to dance.”

Maisey hugged Tracey again. “We get to be a family.”

“We do.” His heart overflowed. True, things would get tough—Maisey hadn’t hit the preteen and teen years yet—and it was still new between him and Tracey, but he had what he wanted and needed. Somehow, things would work.

“You’d better join Miss Donnah and practice your dance,” Tracey said. “So you know you’ve got it memorized. I’ll be here with your dad and Keelan watching.”

“And be here tomorrow?” Maisey asked.

“You bet. I wouldn’t miss this,” Tracey said.

“Good.” Maisey wriggled away from her, then hugged Ryan. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome. Now go practice.” He patted her bottom. “You don’t want to be late.”

“I won’t.” Maisey skipped up the aisle and past Mrs. Simec. She stopped on the stage and joined the other girls. Miss Donnah looked out at the crowd, then applauded. The gesture signaled to the girls it was time to practice.

---