Page 125 of The House Guest
She nodded enthusiastically.
I led them to the kitchen where I served Primrose and her daughter each a slice of the dessert I’d baked.
Opening the fridge, I took out a canister of Reddi-wip. “A little bird told me you love whipped cream, Rosie.”
She bounced in her seat. “I do!”
I sprayed a huge dollop on top of her apple crisp. I’d give her as much as she wanted, so long as she liked me.
“Thank you,” Rosie said.
“You’re very welcome, sweetheart.”
Primrose and I shared a smile.
“So…” I sat down next to Primrose, across from Rosie. “What’s the plan today?”
“Well, Rosie wants to go to the playground. It’s supposed to be nice out.”
“Sounds perfect. I love the playground.”
Primrose laughed. “Have you even been to a playground in the last twenty-five years, Vanderbilt?”
“Don’t rat me out,” I whispered.
After they finished eating, we got into my car and drove to the park with the giant jungle gym. I’d started to feel a bit calmer.
Once we got out of the car, Primrose stepped back a bit, allowing me time to get to know Rosie. For a few minutes I was officially in charge of her safety while Primrose made conversation with another mother. Couldn’t remember a time when I’d been responsible for anything so precious. No way in hell I was gonna let her get injured on my watch.How do people do this, day in and day out?I was a nervous wreck each time Rosie climbed anything.
I watched intently as she went up a ladder numerous times, then slid down the long, twisty slide.
“Your turn,” she finally said in that sweet little voice.
“My turn?”
“Yeah. Your turn to go down the slide.”
“I think I’m too big for that, sweetie.”
She giggled, then took me by the hand and led me up the ladder. Guess she wasn’t taking no for an answer.
She watched from the top as I entered the tube and barely squeezed myself out before I emerged at the bottom. Rosie then slid down after me.
A few seconds later, she pointed and laughed.
“What are you laughing at?”
“You have gum on your bum-bum.”
“Shit. Really?” I cringed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I patted my behind. She was right. There was a big dollop of fresh pink gum stuck to my ass. Rosie continued to giggle. I’d take one for the team if it meant amusing her.
Primrose was still talking to that other mom. I couldn’t tell if she was involved in conversation or specifically giving me alone time with her daughter.
When I took Rosie over to the swings and started pushing her, she smiled big as she swung my way. “My daddy says hi,” she announced.
I slowed down. “Your daddy?”
