Page 104 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
Reid moved a slat in one of the shades facing the front of the house. “Piper, get ready for your bath, okay?” he called toward the hallway.
He winced at the vibration in his voice, but he couldn’t help it. A storm of emotions raged in his chest—fury, anxiety, and grief. It was bad enough that her car was ready, but having her ex-boyfriend waiting for them when they got home nearly sent Reid over the edge. He should’ve known that clown would show up when Kaiah said she hadn’t responded to his text messages. What man in his right mind wouldn’t fight for Kaiah?
“Are you watching Miss Kaiah and her friend?” Piper, wearing herLittle Mermaidrobe, stood in the den doorway.
Shame bloomed in Reid’s cheeks. What kind of example was he setting for his daughter by spying out the window? But he couldn’t lie either. “Yep.”
Her little nose scrunched. “Why is he here?”
“I don’t know.” But it couldn’t be good. Most likely Hayes was begging for her to forgive him and go to wherever he was living, and he was using her adorable dog as a bargaining chip.
Seriously, what a jerk!
Reid hoped Kaiah didn’t fall back under the spell of the guy standing in his driveway, who drove a Porsche and wore designer clothes. It was obvious the guy was successful, but he didn’t think Kaiah would be fooled by that. At least he hoped not.
“Let’s get your bath, Piper.”
While his daughter talked nonstop about the carnival and Kaiah’s dog, Reid wallowed in his anger and hurt over Kaiah. He longed to know what she and Hayes were discussing, but he feared he knew the outcome—Kaiah was going to leave, and he and Piper would face another loss and heartbreak.
A strange emotion crept through Reid, something ugly and almost painful that squeezed the air from his lungs.
“Are you okay, Daddy?” Piper asked while Reid helped her into her pajamas.
“Yup.” He brushed her hair.
“Can you and Kaiah read me a story?”
Reid shook his head. “She’s with her friend and George.”
“I want to see George.” Piper made a beeline toward the hallway.
“Piper,no.”
Reid rushed after her, but she was already out the front door.
“I’m sorry,” Hayes dropped down onto the landscape timber on the other side of George.
Kaiah eyed him with suspicion. “You mentioned that in your texts.”
“I mean it. I shouldn’t have run out on you. And I shouldn’t have taken George with me.”
Although he appeared contrite, she’d learned not to take thisman at his word. Instead of responding, she continued to scratch George’s chin.
“I love you, Kaiah, and I want you back.”
A bark of laughter exploded from her throat. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“I mean it, Ky. And I’m here with a proposal.”
“A proposal?” A year ago, that’s all she would’ve wanted. But now? Yeah, not so much.
“Come to California with me,” he said. “Let’s try again.”
“No.” She stood and swiped her hands over her shorts, sending tufts of George’s golden hair floating through the air around her.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“I thought it was a proposal,” she quipped.
