Page 79 of Before You Can Blink
Then I remembered they hadn’t even celebrated their seventh birthdays yet and decided that was a problem best saved for another day.
Chapter 15
Jett
Age 35
July
“Daddy!”Theexcitedcryhad me whipping around. It had been months since I’d heard that voice in person instead of over the phone.
A flash of wild red hair caught my eye as Aspen raced toward me. Gone was the little girl I left behind in Rust Canyon back in April, and in her place was a preteen I barely recognized.
How in the world had that happened?
Digging my heels into the dirt, I braced for impact.
My daughter didn’t hesitate. She jumped right into my arms, and I lifted her off the ground, the same as I’d done almost every day for the past eleven years. When she released her hold around my neck, I hefted her weight higher with a grunt.
“Either I’m getting too old for this or you’re getting too big,” I remarked.
A wide grin split her face, and her blue eyes sparkled. “Notice anything different about me?”
She’d grown up so much in the short time we’d spent apart, so my first instinct was to reply that everything about her seemed different, but the way she phrased her question made it clear she was fishing for me to notice a specific change.
Motion in my periphery had my gaze sliding away from Aspen to find that the rest of my family, including Bex, had joined us. Daisy subtly tugged on her earlobe and widened her eyes, giving me the clue I needed.
A quick peek confirmed that my daughter’s ears now featured gold stud earrings.
I tossed a wink at my wife for the assist. “You got your ears pierced.”
Aspen nodded enthusiastically. “And it barely hurt!”
Setting her down, I asked, “What was the occasion?” Daisy wasn’t one to spoil the kids, so there had to be a good reason for her to treat Aspen.
Chest puffing with pride, she announced, “Straight A’s for the whole year.”
“That’s my girl.” I held my hand up for a high-five, and she smacked her palm against mine. “So smart, just like your mama.”
Turning my attention to the rest of the crew, I greeted Bex with a squeeze on her shoulder before addressing Tripp. “Everything ship shape back at home?”
My son gave a slight nod. “Yes, sir.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Stepping past the kids, I curled an arm around Daisy’s waist. “Missed you.” I ducked my head to taste her lips for the first time in what felt like forever, and finally, I could breathe again.
My wife placed a hand to my chest. “Missing’s over now that we’re here.”
Forehead resting against hers, I sighed. “Thank God for that.”
“Fine-looking crew you’ve got there, Sullivan,” a familiar voice called out from behind me.
Daisy let out a little squeal, pulling out of my arms and rushing into Layla’s. Locked in an embrace, the two of them swayed from side to side.
With how Murph had passed, you’d have thought Layla wouldn’t be able to get away from the rodeo circuit fast enough. But instead, she declared that makeshift fairground arenas were where she felt closest to him, and she continued to manage a group of up-and-coming bronc riders. She poured her heart and soul into the sport her late husband had loved, and I had to believe that if there was a Heaven, Murph was up there watching, proud as hell that she was carrying on his legacy.
When the women finally broke apart, Layla surveyed the three kids. “All right. I know at least one of these little rascals.” She tugged on a strand of Aspen’s copper hair. “Though, I’ll admit it’s been a while. She was a baby the last time I saw her.” Her gaze roved over Bex and Tripp. “Don’t remember you having twins, though.”
