Page 77 of Love Unforgettable
“You’re the bad lady,” Paisley says.
Lexie nods and puts a finger on her nose, as though thinking. “Well,” she says. “Do you remember when I gave you juice and crayons earlier?”
“Yes,” Paisley says. “I colored a horse picture, it’s right there.” She points to the seat next to her. Lexie leans in and looks.
“Oh, I like that,” Lexie says to Paisley. “You’re good at coloring, aren’t you?”
“I am,” Paisley nods. “I’m going to teach my baby brother, because he won’t know when he comes out of Mommy’s tummy.”
“That’s very nice of you to do,” Lexie says with a slight wince.
“I know,” Paisley says.
It’s got to still bother Lexie a bit, this whole charade Trevor had going on. I’m still amazed that he pulled it off as long as he did.
“Did I seem like the bad lady when I gave you crayons and juice and your mommy and I were talking?” Lexie asks.
“No,” Paisley says.
“So, maybe you’ll let me take you to your mommy and daddy?” Lexie asks.
“Do you have a car seat?” Paisley asks.
“No.”
“Well, I guess we’ll have to take mine then. We can’t start the car unless I’m in the seat and all buckled.”
“Okay,” Lexie says. “Let’s get you unbuckled, and we’ll get your seat into my car and get you to your parents. Sound good?”
“Yeah!” Paisley says.
Not sure how much experience Lexie has with kids or car seats, I lean in and unbuckle Paisley. “What’s your name,” she asks me.
“My name is Cole. You’re Paisley, right?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“I know lots of things,” I tease.
“Really? What else do you know?”
I start to ramble off various things as I unhook Paisley’s car seat from Trevor’s car and get it into Lexie’s.
“How do you know how to do that?” Lexie asks, her eyes narrow and her face tense.
“Lots of nieces and nephews,” I tell her. Her face softens and her shoulders sag. I reach out to touch her on the shoulder. “Did I have you worried?” I ask.
“Well, I can’t be too sure any more, now can I?”
“Why, Miss Lexie. I’m starting to think you might just like me,” I tell her.
“You might be right,” she says coyly.
My stomach flips just a bit when she says that. It’s one thing to know you’ve found your lightning bolt, but it’s a whole other ball game, when they start to realize the same. I like it.
“Okay, Miss Paisley, what do you say we get you buckled in the car seat?” I ask the girl.
She climbs in and situates herself, then waits for me to buckle the harness. She pulls on them slightly to make sure they are secure. “All set,” she announces. “We can start the car.”
