Page 41 of Rumor Has It

I step around her mountain of books and pull back her blankets. I stare at my tiny brunette, with her momma’s attitude and her daddy’s eyes as she pretends to read by flashlight but is actually … pouting.

“You know how I wish I could, baby girl.”

She burrows further into her protective fluff. “That’s what I thought you’d say.”

“Oh, c’mon.” I crawl in, pulling her to my side. “It’s going to be amazing! You’ll get to spend more time with Grampy and Grandpa.”

“So, why aren’t you happy about going back?”

I chew my lip, hoping to buy some time with my clever, but nosy child. “Have you been eavesdropping?”

“Are you asking me if I heard you talking to Auntie Maisyn, or if I listened to you?” She bats her eyes as if completely innocent.

“First of all, don’t be snarky; it’s unbecoming.” I tweak her nose. “Second, did you listen or overhear?”

“I listened after I overheard you.” She grins like a racoon at a seafood restaurant.

“Pretty sure those two things are the same.” I narrow my eyes as her smile fades. I get it, I do. She wants to know why I don’t want to go back, and I’m not ready to explain it.

She crosses her arms defiantly. “If it’s so bad there, why are we going?”

“Sweetie, it’s not a terrible place.” I sweep her hair over her shoulder. “You’ll love being with Grampy and Grandpa; they’re gonna spoil you rotten.”

“I don’t want to go there if it’s going to make you feel bad.”

“I’m whining.” I kiss the top of her head, disappointed for making her feel bad. “Besides, as long as you’re by my side, I’ll be happy anywhere.”

She rolls over, peering up at me. “But you never smile, Momma.”

“I do.” My heart sinks to think she realizes it. “Anytime we’re together, you always make me happy, and we laugh all the time.” I tweak her nose, lighting the moment.

“I wasn’t talking about you loving me.” She sighs, pursing her lips. “But I suppose it’ll have to do for now.”

She’s so astute, and reads me like one of her books. “Good, because we’re going on a new adventure, and I can’t wait for all the new things we’re going to experience.”

“Me too, Momma.” She smiles at me, lifting my spirits.

“Alrighty, it’s to bed for you.” I press my lips to her head, relishing these fleeting moments with her. She's growing so fast, and I’m going to miss this one day.

She rolls her eyes, reminding me of him. “I can’t wait until I’m older, so I can pick my own bedtime.”

“So do I, kid.” I pat her back. “But until then, it’s off to sleep.” I hold my hand out, waiting.

She pulls two books out from under the blanket. “Seriously?”

“Yep!” I take them, dropping them behind me and wave for the rest. “C’mon, I want them all.”

“Fine.” She huffs, reaching me a flashlight and a Mechanic’s Digest. Talking about not falling from the tree, and just when I thought she was done. “Be careful with this one. I just got it, and it’s fascinating.” I take it from her, turning it over.

“Knowing the Law as it Applies to Entertainment and Sports?” The fuck she get this and why? “Why do you have this? I thought you wanted to be a mechanic like me?”

“Keeping my options open,” she murmurs, already falling fast asleep.

“Mmm, kay.” I smash my mouth into a thin line. It looks as though someone’s been snooping more than I give her credit for. Same, girl. Same.

I tuck her in, kissing her temple before turning her lamp off. I tiptoe through the house, her books in hand. I walk toward the kitchen for a final once-over, laying them down on the desk as I go.

I lean against it, side-eyeing the stack of reading material beside me. Okay, fine. I’m staring at it, thinking of him. He’s never far from my thoughts; my heart has never healed. I don’t regret giving him freedom, but I sure as hell hate that I did.