Page 47 of Love… It's Wild

“Surprised you’re back early.” Rob leans against the railing at the top of the stairs.

“Miss me?” I ask with a flirty pop of my hip.

He just looks down and smiles.

Molly comes bolting out the door and calls from the top of the stairs, “Madam Amazing, you’re back!”

“I thought we said you wouldn’t call her that,” Rob admonishes.

Molly laughs. “I agree with Tara. It’s fun to push your buttons.”

His brows curve inward. “I don’t have buttons.”

“Yeah, you do, Dad. They’re big, grumpy buttons. I love you anyway.” She gives him a hug and then runs back inside.

I climb the stairs and meet him at the top. My bags dangle from my shoulder. His fingertips brush my skin as he slides the bags down and takes them in his hand.

“What are you teaching my daughter?”

“To never kneel to old men.”

“Who are you calling old?”

“You.” I tap him on the nose and brush down his sideburns. “I see some gray. It’s very debonaire.”

He lets out one of those low grunts I haven’t heard in a while. “I can think of one reason why I might be going gray.”

“If I’m affecting you after a week in your house, I can’t wait to see how the rest of the month goes.” I open the door and head inside.

“You and me both,” he drawls, following me in.

Jesse comes down the stairs with his sneakers in his hand. He looks shocked to see me here. “Oh. Hey, Tara. Why are you here?”

I give him a reassuring look, letting him know I’m not going to spill his secret. I just hope he keeps up his end of the bargain and stays on the straight and narrow.

I notice that the three of them are all dressed, hair combed, and they look like they’re about to go out somewhere. “Are you heading out?”

“There’s a carnival in Castleton. Wanna come?” Molly slides her sandals on.

Rob holds his hand out to stop his daughter. “Tara just drove out here. She doesn’t want to get in the car again.”

The hour-and-a-half drive was long, but I came here because I didn’t want to be alone in my apartment. This house is much bigger, and there is plenty of land to roam, but I didn’t plan on being here without them.

“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you. I love carnival rides!”

Molly grabs my hand. “They have the Gravitron, the Zipper that spins you around, and the Beast. Jesse said he’ll go on them with me. I’m too scared to go alone.”

“I said I like rides, but not to get sick to my stomach,” I joke and then look up at Rob. “Unless you mind me crashing your party? You don’t get to spend a lot of time with the kids alone. I shouldn’t have offered without asking first—”

“We’d love to have you,” he croons.

I lift my eyes to the ceiling and grin. “I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.”

I make a quick trip to my room to switch out my shoes for canvas sneakers and change my shorts and blouse for a spaghetti-strap floral dress. It’s a warm day, and it should be the same well into the evening. I pin my hair up and transfer my things to a crossbody bag.

“Ready!” I state as I meet them back in the foyer.

Rob eyes my sneakers and gazes up my legs. “Do you have an outfit planned for every occasion?”