Page 118 of Before You Can Blink
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”
Her mouth curved up at the corners. “That your gruff exterior is all for show. When the truth is that you’re the biggest softie.”
Leaning in, I gave her a soft kiss, murmuring, “Only for you and this family.”
With her forehead pressed to mine, she sighed. “That’s all that matters.”
“Oh no, they’re kissing again!”
And there went the tender moment with my wife.
Spinning around, I came face-to-face with Reagan, her button nose wrinkled in disgust.
“You tellin’ me your mama and daddy don’t ever kiss?” I challenged the four-year-old.
She let out the cutest scoff, crossing her arms. “’Course they do. But you’re old.”
A huff of laughter burst from my chest. “You hear that, Daze? Reagan says we’re too old to be kissing.”
“I did.” Crouching before our granddaughter, Daisy said, “The day we stop kissing is the day you have to put me in the ground, so you’d better hope that’s not anytime soon, sweetheart.”
“Fine.” Reagan let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes. “You can keep kissing.”
Ooh, she had so much sass, and I secretly loved it.
Easily distracted, our girl caught sight of Paisley’s gift, and she abandoned us to play with her cousin.
Giving Daisy a hand up, I tapped my lips. “Better give me another one if that’s what’s keeping the Grim Reaper at bay.”
My wife cringed. “You think that was too much? She is only four, after all.”
“With the attitude of a teenager. But don’t fret too much; it looks like she’s already forgotten about it.”
She pursed her lips and hummed. “Suppose you’re right. Well, I better get a move on before I’m of no help at all.”
“I’ll hold down the fort here.”
With the warm weight of the baby on my shoulder, I sank onto the couch to watch the children play.
There was no doubt in my mind that I got the better end of the bargain.
“You ready, Pais?” I jostled the birthday girl on my hip as we pushed through the back door to where her party was set up.
But the second we crossed the threshold onto the deck, I froze as more people than I expected to see shouted, “Surprise!”
“Um.” Confused, I cocked my head. “Do ya’ll need me to explain how a surprise party works? Pretty sure she’s known about this for weeks.”
Aspen stepped forward, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “That’s because this party is foryou, Daddy.”
Rearing back, I pointed a finger toward my chest. “Me? No, it’s Paisley’s birthday.”
“Which made it the perfect cover for throwing you asurprise60thbirthday party,” my daughter explained, as if that should be obvious.
Granted, my birthday and my granddaughter’s were only five days apart, but I’d much rather the celebration focus on her than me.
I shook my head. “Birthdays are just another day when you get to be my age. I don’t need or want all this fuss.”
“Well, tough.” She grabbed my hand, dragging me toward those gathered. “Because everyone came all this way just for you.”
