Page 13 of Kent's Honor
Nicky nodded.
“All right. Let’s go.” He took Nicky in his arms and placed in front before climbing on the bike. He revved the engine.
The little boy squealed in delight.
They drove around the neighborhood, keeping it slow and safe. This wasn’t his kid, so he was going to make sure nothing happened. That thought made him chuckle. He wouldn’t dream of letting his little girl ride with just anyone.
When he pulled back into his driveway, it surprised him that neither Elle nor Dixie were waiting for them. He helped Nicky off the bike and took off the helmet. “Come on, little man. Let’s go find your mommy.” He took Nicky’s hand and walked up thesteps. The second he opened the door, the boy bolted through the house.
“Mommy! Mommy! Where are you?”
“I’m right here.” She knelt at the kitchen threshold with open arms. “Did you have a nice ride?”
Nicky leaped into his mother’s arms. “Are we coming here again?”
“Tomorrow,” Dixie said.
“Will he come home again?” Dixie rose, hugging her little boy tight. “Yes, baby.”
Elle meandered toward Kent. She leaned into him, resting her head against his arm. “We’re going to have so much fun tomorrow, I promise.”
“I should get going,” Dixie said.
“What about dinner?” Kent shouldn’t push. He didn’t want to strike up a friendship with this woman. She was a temporary babysitter while her aunt was away.
Yet not only did her little boy tug at his heartstrings, but she did something to his soul.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I packed some up for us to take home,” Dixie said. “Nicky melts down right after dinner and he didn’t get in a good nap. He’ll be a bear if I don’t get him to bed soon.”
“I remember those days well.”
“Thanks for taking him for a ride. I really appreciate it,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I heard Tilly invited all of us over to her place on Wednesday.”
Dixie blinked. “I’m not sure if we should go. I don’t want to intrude.”
Kent chuckled. “You’d insult her if you didn’t go.”
“It will be fun. And Annabelle loves Nicky. Come on. Please?” Elle pleaded.
“I’ll think about it.” Dixie nodded. “I really need to go before this one realizes he’s going to be missing out on something.” She snagged her bag and waltzed right out the door.
Elle glanced up and smiled. “I think Daddy likes someone.”
“I think my daughter needs to stop trying to fix me up with every single woman she meets.” He arched a brow.
“She checks all the boxes.” Elle pulled back a chair at the table and pointed to the plate of food. “She can cook. She’s pretty. She’s kind, smart, and she didn’t think you were too crazy.”
He joined his daughter at the table. “For the record, your old man isn’t looking for a lady. I’ve already got one of those in my life and I’m staring at her.”
Elle rolled her eyes, like she did about a million times a day. “I’m not going to be around forever to take care of you.”
He groaned. No truer words were ever spoken.
4
Kent snagged the beer that Rex offered and took a healthy swig while he watched his daughter do a flip off the diving board, biting his tongue when he wanted to tell her to be careful. Everyone kept telling him he needed to lighten up when it came to Elle. While he knew they were all correct, it was impossible when you were both the mother and father.
