Page 57 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
Cash shrugged. “I’ll talk to the mayor. No big deal.”
They spent the next couple of hours discussing other items on the festival’s punch list. After a while, Piper came to sit on Reid’s lap while Astrid curled up on Cash.
“I guess we’d better get this one home.” Cash nodded toward a sleepy Astrid in his arms.
Reid glanced at Kaiah and saw a soft expression painted on her face. For a moment he wondered if she could ever imagine having a family like this one. With him.
The idea sent a whirlwind of emotions through him.
Cash stood, and Astrid shifted before snuggling deeper into his shoulder. He patted his daughter’s back and whispered something to her before kissing her head.
“Do you want Piper to stay over tonight since you’re working in the morning?” Becca asked.
“No,” Piper whined. “I want to stay with Kaiah tomorrow.”
Reid turned to Kaiah, and a sheepish expression spread over her features. “I understand if you’d rather Piper spend tomorrow with Becca.”
“No,” Piper hissed before motioning for Kaiah to lean down. “I want to play with Kaiah tomorrow. Please, Daddy.”
Reid lifted his eyebrows while Kaiah seemed to watch him, awaiting his approval.
“It’s okay with me,” Reid said. “I’ll set up the spare room for you. That way you don’t have to wake up too early to come over before my shift starts at seven.”
Kaiah beamed. “Great.”
Becca stood and touched Kaiah’s shoulder. “If you need me, I’ll be around tomorrow. Feel free to text me.” Then she hugged Piper. “Good night, sweetie.”
After Becca, Cash, and Astrid were gone, Reid got Piper into a soapy bubble bath.
Kaiah stood in the bathroom doorway. “I’ll go pack some things for our day tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he told her.
“I’ll see you in the morning, Piper, okay?” Kaiah said.
“Good night, Miss Kaiah,” Piper sang.
Kaiah blew her a kiss and then lingered in the doorway for a moment before she disappeared. Her soft footsteps sounded in the hallway before the front door opened and then clicked shut.
Since Piper couldn’t stop yawning throughout her bath, Reid got her dressed in her pajamas and tucked in bed.
“Be good for Miss Kaiah tomorrow,” he told her after reading her a story.
“I will, Daddy.” Piper touched his cheek. “Thank you for letting her stay with me.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her cheek. “Good night, pumpkin.” He scratched Ariel’s chin. “And good night, Ariel.”
He quickly put fresh sheets on the double bed in the spare room. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t had a guest in this room since his in-laws had come up from Florida to see Piper two years ago. It boggled his mind that they didn’t want to see their granddaughter more often, but that was their choice. When they decided to move shortly after Brynn’s death, he’d made it clear they were always welcome.
After the bed was made, he walked out into the hallway and heard a soft knock at the front door. He yanked it open and found Kaiah standing on the porch holding a large tote bag. “You don’t have to knock.”
“I didn’t want to impose.”
“I think we already established that you’re not imposing.” He waved her in. “Get on in here.” He pulled a set of keys down from the hook by the door. “These are yours.”
She studied the key ring and then blinked up at him. “I don’t understand.”
“There’s a sedan in the garage. You’re welcome to use it if you’d like. It should have a full tank.”
