Page 90 of The Runaway and the Rugged
She eventually shifted the topic over to something lighter, more Grace-like, when the sound of knocking on the door had the two of us groaning for two completely different reasons.
“Great…” Her shoulders sagged in defeat. “I thought he wouldn't come back till a little later.”
A little later? It’s already ten at night.
“Come on.” I softly nudged her in the direction of the door. “I’m sure your dad missed you.”
“He misses me even when he’s with me,” she mumbled in annoyance, but kept moving until she clasped her hand around the doorknob and swung it open.
“Hi, Dad,” she grumbled low and unenthusiastically.
I’m sure it's every father’s dream to come home to a daughter who is completely uninterested.
“Bug,” he greeted with a grin. “Don’t smile too big now, wouldn’t want anyone thinkin’ that you actually missed me,” he teased, when suddenly his eyes had fallen on me.
I was hiding slightly beyond the door, but just enough to where he could see me.
“Hi.” I smiled with an anxious wave that had me mentally kicking myself.
Most wouldn’t have noticed, but his smile had shifted the second I spoke. It wasn’t bright like it was with Grace, but guarded instead.
“How was she? Hopefully not too much trouble?” He tucked his hands into his pockets, clearly unsure how to act around me.
I wanted to push him down the steps to knock some damn sense into him.
“She was good, no trouble at all.” I shot her a grin. “Just made some bracelets, ate some snacks, nothing too crazy.”
“Good.” He nodded. “Thanks again for agreein’ to watch her.”
Shifting on my toes, I shrugged.
“No problem, she can come over whenever she wants. Of course, if it’s okay with you.”
The reaction I received was of course nothing over-the-top and instead, he gave me another dismissive nod of his head.
I was over it.
Over this, over him, over it all.
“Grace, honey, would you mind waiting outside in the ATV for a little while? Your dad and I need to have a quick adult conversation,” I spoke sweetly, Grace’s eyebrows slowly lifted in confusion.
“Uh, yeah, I can do that.” She looked at Garth, but he was too focused on me, studying me intently.
“Thank you.” I pulled her in for a quick hug. “I had a fun night with you, maybe another night you can stay over and we can do our nails.”
Her eyes widened to the size of saucers.
“Yes! That sounds like the best night ever! Doesn’t it, Dad?” She peered over at Garth who had narrowed his eyes, and suspicion etched into his gaze.
“Sure does.” His monotone voice irritated me to the point I was now glaring daggers into the man I wanted to kiss the other night.
“Okay, Well, I’ll be out in the ATV waiting!” Grace skipped out the door, leaving her dad and me in a silent standoff. He looked as irresistible as ever in a dark brown jacket, Wranglers, and a ball cap while I kept it casual in a simple T-shirt and cotton shorts.
“Look, I already know?—”
“No, you don’t know what I’m thinking or all the things I want to say to you, Garth. So, how about we start with the elephant in the room, shall we?” I placed my hands onto the curves of my hips, hoping to appear more menacing. “We almost kissed.”
Nostrils flaring like a bull, he averted his eyes but quickly brought them back.
