Page 39 of Worth the Want
“I love you, Daddy. More than dinosaurs,” she tells me softly.
“That’s so much? How lucky am I?”
“Really lucky,” she says quietly, settling into her bed. I’m not sure how, but I did manage to get extremely lucky to call this little girl mine.
“Happy Birthday, dragonfly. Sweet dreams.”
The air is starting to cool as I walk back to the guesthouse. After spending an unexpectedly great day at Knox’s house for Hazel’s birthday party. When I left this afternoon, I’d expected to be coming home alone. Instead, there are four other women walking back with me. I wasn’t even sure I would go today. My hike with Knox a couple of weeks ago left me feeling on edge, thinking it may be intruding, but ultimately, I couldn’t stomach the thought of disappointing Hazel in any way after she asked me to come.
“I’ve never seen Colt look so in his element before,” Winnie says, her arm linked with Ivy’s.
“You know, the tutu really is one of his better looks,” Marigold muses. “Definitely better than the iced tips in high school.”
My mouth pops open and laughter bubbles out. “He didn’t.”
“He did,” they both say together.
“So did you grow up around here too, Ivy?”
“I did not. I just moved here from California after Thanksgiving last year.”
“California? That’s a big move. Can I ask what brought you here?”
“That’s kind of a long story, but the highlight reel is that my dad manipulated me, and I fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker,” she says, then adds, “Joke’s on him though. I now have a smokin’ hot, action hero boyfriend and am going to have a baby with him in three months.” When I look back at her, I catch the look on her face. It’s a perfect mix of love and devotion.
I smile in response. “Alder is a lucky man.”
“He really is,” she agrees, causing a few chuckles from us. I take the steps up to the house, opening my front door. I hadn’t bothered locking it since I was only down the road.
“I know you’ve all probably been here before, but welcome to my place. Make yourselves comfortable, and I’ll grab my laptop. I’m thinking I can cast it to the TV so we won’t have to crowd around it.”
“Thanks for having us over, Indiana,” Florence says.
“Of course. If you ladies hire me, I may be able to support my novelty shirt collection,” I call over my shoulder, walking into my bedroom to grab my computer.
“You have to see these pictures. I cannot wait to have a couple of them blown up and on the walls at home,” Winnie says, talking me up a little bit. I only took a couple of photography classes. My skills lie more in the website-design realm. But I'll take it. Taking photos is something I’m finding I really enjoy.
“I’m not sure if they’rewall-worthy,but I am really happy with how they turned out.”
“She is absolutely being modest,” she tells the group.
“We’re gonna have to work on that,” Ivy says.
I grin. “Actually, that would be great. I’ve never been that good at taking a compliment. That’s more my sister’s area of expertise.” I regret the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth. Bringing up Han means that I’ll get questions. Questions I’m not ready to answer. I need to derail the line of questioning before it begins. “Are y'all looking for more interior shots or landscapes? I did a mix for Thistle and Sage.” Opening my laptop, I tap a few buttons to connect the screens, and they all glance to the TV.
“Here are some of the town I chose, and I can even walk you through adding them to the site if you want.”
“Wait, wait. Go back,” Marigold shouts. I click the arrow, and the screen fills with a shirtless Knox. Oops. I forgot those were still in here.
“Holy fucking shit.”
“Sister present!” Florence yells, and I laugh at her horrified expression.
“It’s a torso. Nothing that scandalous,” I remind the room.
“Thatis more than a torso. When did you take this, and can I have a copy?” Marigold asks.
“Mare!” Florence gasps while the rest of us laugh.
