Page 39 of The SEAL's Duchess
She called it a mistake. She’s leaving.
So why did it feel like his entire world narrowed to the sight of her with his daughter?
“Daddy!” Ellie waved wildly. “Ivy make me butterfly!”
Purple-and-gold wings spread across her cheeks, tiny antennae curling above her brows.
Ryder’s throat constricted. The sight knocked the air out of him—how small she still was, how much of his heart she already carried.
He switched his gaze to Ivy. Glitter clung to her hair, catching the gym’s light, a streak of silver dusting her cheekbone. She glanced up, eyes serious, and for one beat of his heart the fair’s hubbub faded.
His hand twitched at his side. He wanted to brush the glitter from her cheek—like it meant something, like she washis.
Ridiculous.
He curled his fingers into a fist and let go slowly.
“Hi.” Ivy set the brush down carefully, her voice polite—but her eyes gave her away.
“Ivy.” He ground his voice into neutral. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Louisa roped me in a few days ago.” Ivy tipped her head toward the ring toss table, where Louisa waved at him like a lunatic. “Apparently, they were desperate.”
Of course. Louisa, Sarah—half the damn town seemed invested in Ivy’s schedule.
“It’s been fun.” Ivy smiled, quick and genuine. “Seems I’m far too conservative.”
“You look—” He stopped himself. “You’ve got glitter. In your hair.”
“Oh.” Her hand flew up, fingers brushing through the strands. “Occupational hazard.”
Their eyes caught. Held.
“More glitter,” Ellie announced solemnly, breaking the spell. “More.”
Ivy laughed, the sound pulling at him like a hook under the ribs. Whatever words he’d had ready scattered like leaves in the wind.
A group of older boys thundered past, chasing each other with foam swords. The craft supplies jumped and rattled as they clipped the table’s edge. Ivy curved an arm around Ellie, tucking her close until the commotion rushed by.
His chest locked, breath lodged in his throat.
A small gesture. Gone in seconds.
But it slammed into Ryder, sharp as a blade. She hadn’t hesitated. She’d shielded his little girl.
“Daddy!” Ellie thrust a sagging paper heart at him, encrusted with glitter and still-wet glue. “For you!”
Ryder crouched, forcing a smile around the lump in his throat. “It’s beautiful, baby. Did you make this all by yourself?”
“All sparkles.” Her head bobbed.
He glanced up, catching Ivy watching them, something vulnerable in her expression.
“Thank you for helping her.”
“I enjoyed helping out.” Ivy shrugged, almost shy.
Ellie’s lip wobbled when he reached for her coat. “No me go now, Daddy. More sparkles.”
