Page 24 of Summer Heat
"Me too," I said, feeling lucky that I was able to grow up on the island and experience the small-town life with a great community of people.
We grabbed bags of popcorn and listened to the band that was playing. Maya started twirling in time to the music, and Shep grabbed her hands dancing with her.
The crowd parted for them, and I snapped a few pictures, unsure my heart would survive any more of this.
He lifted her hand above her head and encouraged her to spin. Maya smiled wide, her hair and dress flying behind her as she twirled.
My skin felt tingly, and my heart was beating faster. Shep dancing with my daughter only made him more attractive.
Chapter Seven
Kinsley
On Saturday morning, I worked in the office. I went in on the weekend once a month, and Shep volunteered to watch Maya.
Before I walked out, I asked, "Are you sure you're okay to watch Maya?"
"Yeah, we'll go to the park and pick you up lunch. You'll have proof of life when I arrive with Maya."
I shook my head. "I'm not so sure that's funny. But I will get more done without her there."
Shep grinned at me and then high-fived Maya. "Go to work, Momma. We've got this."
"Yeah, go to work, Momma," Maya parroted, and I shook my head.
Before I opened the door, Shep handed me a to-go mug of coffee and something warm wrapped in tin foil.
"It's a breakfast burrito. I know you ate yogurt, but this will give you more energy."
"It will, huh?" I asked, wondering why he was still single. He was nothing like what I thought he'd be. But then again, I wasn't a love interest. Maybe he was different with women he slept with. He kept his distance and didn't do things like this.
But with me, he was caring and thoughtful, easily winning me over.
He pressed his hands together like he was praying. "Work hard, dear. The princess and I will bring you lunch. Then we'll go to the beach this afternoon."
"That sounds nice."
At work, I was able to fly through the payroll since no one was here to talk to me or ask when I'd be done.
Shep sent pictures of Maya and him at the playground, going down the slide together, and even on opposite sides of a seesaw. I wasn't sure how that worked since he was so much heavier than her. He'd also gotten someone else to take the picture. Did a single mom offer to snap the pic?
That shouldn't bother me, but it did. He didn't see me as an attractive woman, and I couldn't blame him. I didn't feel like one either. I felt frumpy and tired. Not the type of woman he usually went for.
At five to twelve, the door opened, and Shep said, "Lunch is served."
Maya ran ahead of him and around the counter to hug me. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. Did you have fun at the park with Shep?" I looked over her head at him. He leaned against the counter, a tired smile on his face.
"I could barely keep up with her. I need to work out more."
I laughed. "I highly doubt that you need to work out more, but she is energetic."
He gave me a look. "I was seriously considering taking her to the high school track and running with her. I don't think there's any other way to get out the energy."
Maya ran to the bathroom, and once the door was closed, I asked, "Seriously, was it that bad?"
"She eventually found a friend to play with who wasn't as old as me. Then I sat on the bench scrolling through my phone." He grinned, holding up his hands. "I'm kidding. I was watching her the whole time."
