Page 99 of One Kind Goal

“Do you have to ask, baby?” He pushed off the vehicle now and in two big steps he was on the sidewalk in front of her, Nia between them.

“No, not really,” she said. “I simply wanted to offer you the opportunity to boast about your exceptional skills.”

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I thought about letting them win as I’d like to make friends here, but I couldn’t intentionally lose. I’m too competitive.”

“Something tells me they’re willing to be friends with you anyway.” She looked down to Nia. “Are you ready for a Valentine’s Day surprise?”

“A surprise?” Nia let go of Morgan’s legs. “Really? What is it?”

“You’ll see. C’mon.” She took Nia’s hand and led her to the SUV.

“I have no knowledge of this surprise.” Sawyer walked to the passenger side after Morgan put her hand out for the keys.

She met him in the front seats. “That’s because I have a surprise for you too.”

The slight arch of his left eyebrow and the little grin that slid across his lips made Morgan want to tear into him. It should definitely be illegal for someone to be so damn sexy.

“What if I have a surprise for you too? What do you say to that?” He looked pretty pleased with himself which made Morgan super curious.

“I’d say we sure have a lot of surprises on tap for today.” She started the engine and looked in the rearview mirror at Nia. “Your surprise is up first, kid.”

“Yay!” Nia threw her hands up and waved them around. Then she treated Morgan and Sawyer to several rousing performances of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

“Tell me we’re almost to wherever we’re going,” Sawyer whispered ten minutes into the journey as Nia’s singing continued.

“About five more minutes,” Morgan said. “I had no idea Mary had so many little lambs.”

When Morgan pulled the SUV into a parking lot and Nia got a peek at the carousel ahead of them, she let out an ear-piercing squeal.

“It’s like my Pegasus!”

“Wow,” Sawyer said. “How did you find out about this? It’s perfect.”

“Trixie. She’s a wealth of local knowledge,” Morgan said. “Apparently, this carousel is heated and air conditioned. People can come for a ride all year.”

“I want to ride it!” Nia struggled against the belts of her car seat.

“You’re going to ride it.” Morgan twisted in the driver’s seat to see Nia. “And then you’re having a slumber party with Auntie Charlie.”

“A slumber party!” Nia’s voice was so loud the SUV’s windows nearly rattled.

Morgan and Sawyer got out of the front seats and Sawyer met her at Nia’s door.

“What in the world did you have to promise Charlie for this favor?” he asked.

“Not a thing.” Morgan beamed a smile at him. “She said she was going to be lonely without Austin in town for Valentine’s Day. She can’t fly out to him in California because she’s got two charter flights scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. She practically begged to watch Nia tonight.”

Sawyer ran a finger along Morgan’s jaw. “So we’re free to go somewhere and get . . . romantic tonight?”

“You betcha.” Morgan opened the back door and helped Nia out of the SUV. “Lucky for you part of your surprise includes getting romantic.”

Sawyer clapped, his face full of anticipation and his gaze heated as he looked at Morgan. “Fantastic.” He scanned the area. “Where is Charlie? Is she here now?”

Morgan laughed. “Eager much?”

“You have no idea.”

“Oh, I think I do have an idea.” She took Nia’s hand and headed for the carousel. “Charlie texted and said she’s up here.”