Page 14 of Property of Scythe
“Were you craving sweets today?”
“Something like that.” A mischievous grin twitches the corners of his full lips. “I hope Raven’s Crest meets your expectations and exceeds them. It’s a great town.” He brushes the crumbs from his hands on his jeans and rises to his feet.
“I think it will.”
“I’m sure we’ll see one another around.”
He’s leaving so soon?
“What about your cinnamon rolls?” The box is closed and remains on the ground, only a foot away from where I sit.
He knocks back the rest of his coffee and tosses it in a nearby bin. “Keep them. My treat.”
“Thanks.”
“Enjoy your evening, Lottie Bishop.”
“You too.” Scythe. I add his name silently, but it’s there, fighting to spill from my lips with a familiarity that has to be rooted in my dreams.
Scythe never looks back to see if I watch him leave, but I do.
Chapter 6 Scythe
“You ready yet, munchkin?” I ask, stuffing Mila’s lunch sack into her backpack.
I’ve spent the last hour ensuring all her school supplies were packed, her contact information updated, and her new shoes were ready by the front door. We’re going to be late if we don’t leave soon. I check my watch. Fuck. We have to go.
“Princess?” I call out when I don’t hear her answer.
“Daddy!”
At her cry, I drop everything and rush into her room, instantly on alert. She doesn’t call out for me like that unless it’s an emergency. I dash into her room and find Mila struggling to pull up her tights.
“It’s ripping.” She sounds heartbroken.
No problem. I keep extra pairs of tights in multiple colors on hand in case of imminent meltdown. “It’s okay. We have more. Promise.”
Relief spreads across her tiny face as she shoves down hertights and kicks them off. I see multiple tears in the sheer pink material. Choosing another set of pink, I sit on her bed and pat the mattress. “Come on. I’ll help.”
Once she’s ready, I get tackled in a hug. “You’re the bestest Daddy ever.”
I’ll never tire of hearing her say that. I tap the end of her nose. “And you’re the bestest daughter. Princess, too.”
She smiles widely as I lead her outside, and we manage to arrive at the elementary school on time. The mornings can be a whirlwind, and I never know if my sweet little munchkin will have an attitude or not. Sometimes, she’s a grumpy bear when she first wakes up.
Today is going smoothly with only one minor glitch I easily handled. We’ve got her lunch and everything she needs. My little princess is wearing her new clothes, and she’s skipping as she holds my hand. I’m fucking slaying her first day.
We find her classroom with ease since there’s only one grade per class. In a town our size, there’s no need for more. The second-grade classroom is right beside her old first-grade room from last year. Mila notices right away.
“Look, Daddy! It’s Mr. Miller’s class.”
“I see that, munchkin.”
“I’m a big girl now,” she declares. “I get to go to second grade.”
“You sure are. I bet all your friends from last year are here too.”
Her excitement is almost too much as she tugs me through the door. It’s a crowded space with all the desks, parents, and new students. I wonder who the teacher is going to be since Mrs. Hill retired last year. Mila rushes off as she sees a few friends, and I watch her go, my chest feeling a bit tight.
