“She’s only one. I can reach thousands with what I’m doing.”

  Nodding, I look down at my feet. “Have you ever heard the starfish story?”

  “About how it made a difference for that one? Yeah, I’ve heard it, and I get it. That life just isn’t for me.” Walking around to get in her car, she pauses. “I’m glad my daughter has you.”

  “I’m not sure you’ll be able to call her your daughter if you leave.” I think about my own feelings about my mother and the way she left me behind for her dreams.

  “I guess I’m one of those people who aren’t meant to be mothers.” She pulls the car door open. “I have to make the world a better place in my own way.”

  I think how lonely her life would be to me, and sadness fills my chest. And I remember she and I are very different people. I remember my conversation with Martha, and I realize I’m here, and Alex and Pinky are already my family.

  “Good luck.” My voice is calm.

  With a resigned smile, she’s gone.

  Pinky is unusually quiet throughout our entire shopping trip, even when I showed her the Miss Piggy lunchbox and pencils with feathers on the tips.

  My mind immediately went to her mother leaving, since that was my experience, and on the way back to Eureka from our road trip to the nearest big box store, she fell asleep in her booster seat, giving us a chance to talk.

  My hand is threaded in Alex’s, and I glance back to be sure she’s sleeping. “Did you ever tell her who Jessica really is?”

  The muscle in his sexy square jaw tightens. “I didn’t see the point. She left without even saying goodbye, so why bother?”

  “She didn’t say goodbye?” My eyes go wide.

  “If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known until we started looking for her.”

  Sitting back hard in my chair, it’s my turn to clench my teeth. “I don’t want to say bad things about Pinky’s mom…”

  My voice breaks off, and Alex exhales a short laugh, lifting my hand to his lips. “I love how much you love my daughter.”

  His scruffy beard tickles my knuckles, and I finish my thought. “She should’ve said goodbye. She should’ve at least given her that much to remember.”

  “I don’t want to defend Jessica’s behavior…”

  “Then don’t.” Now I’m really mad.

  “My little spitfire didn’t hold back on her behavior.” He gives me a tight smile. “She was a bit of a brat.”

  “Jessica deserves it. She didn’t even try to meet her on her level. She just barreled in like Pinky was a grown-up and they’d have an adult relationship. So many times I wanted to say something.” Exhaling a sigh, I shake my head. “But I didn’t. It wasn’t my place.”

  “Next time it will be.” His voice is so smoothly calm, it warms my stomach.

  “You think there’ll be a next time? She seemed pretty confident in her decision to tap out to me.”

  “I’ve stopped trying to predict Jessica’s behavior. I never would’ve expected her to show up here.” He shakes his head, looking out the window. “She almost fucked up everything.”

  He adds the last part under his breath as he pulls into a parking space on the square across from the Star Parlor.

  Turning to me, his hazel eyes capture mine. “Will you come home now?”

  Heat fills my stomach, and I smile, leaning across the console to kiss his lips before answering. “Yes. I can’t wait to come home.”

  “You’re sleeping in my bed this time. No more garage apartment for you.”

  My hand is on his cheek, and I slide my thumb over his full bottom lip. “Then we are definitely having a conversation with P. I want her to know what’s happening before she catches me sleeping in your room.”

  “We’ll tell her tonight.” He catches my arm as I step out of the car. “I’ll come back and help you pack.”

  “I’ve got it. You take care of her.” I give his hand a squeeze. “I’ll be home for dinner.”

  Saying the words warms my stomach, and a smile splits my cheeks as I trot up the narrow staircase.

  “You’re marrying Alex Stone?” Aunt Carol’s jaw pulls back as if she’s stunned. “How did this happen?”

  “Well…” I’m not sure where to begin. “We’ve sort of known each other all our lives, you know. I was friends with his brother Adam.”

  “But how well did you know Alex? Marriage is a big step.”

  “It’s true…” My thoughts trail off.

  I can’t tell her how he saw me naked then I saw him naked, and I guess he saw me naked again.

  “We kind of got to know each other better while I was planning Britt’s wedding…” It’s a total lie. I barely saw him that entire month. “Then he hired me to be his daughter’s nanny, and we really got to know each other better.”

  She doesn’t need to know how much better.

  “You’re marrying him for his money?” Her chin lifts, and I swallow the burn in the back of my throat.

  Closing my eyes, I see Pinky and me singing “Paper Rings” at the top of our lungs in the car. I’d marry Alex Stone if he had nothing at all.

  “I fell in love with his daughter first. Penelope Stone? I’m sure you’ve seen her around church.”

  “I’ve seen her.” My aunt sniffs. “She’s a little terror from what I’ve heard.”

  “She’s four.” Defensiveness rises in my tone. “She’s a strong, independent little girl.”

  “Her father spoils her, I’m sure. Single dads always spoil their children, especially daughters.”

  Inhaling slowly, I remind myself I’m working on forgiveness.

  “Alex loves her very much. He might not be as strict with her as he could be, but what’s wrong with a father doting on his only child?”

  “A lot.” She waves a hand, shaking her head. “Never mind, it’s none of my business to tell you how to live your life. You’ve always known better than me.”

  I won’t be baited. “Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and let you know what was happening.” Hesitating, I think about how I want to say this. “And I wanted to thank you for taking care of me. After my mother left, I mean. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, and having an extra person adds expense…”

  Her back stiffens as if she’s surprised. “It’s what family does.”

  “I know.” Nodding, I carefully close the space between us. My aunt and I have never been affectionate, but I carefully extend my hand. “Still, I wanted to say thank you. And I love you.”

  Clearing her throat, her shoulders move as if she’s unsure what to do. “Well, of course. I love you as well.”

  I don’t know where to go from here, so I pat her back. “I’ll keep you posted about the wedding details.”

  “Thank you.” The smallest hint of softness enters her voice. “Best wishes, Cassidy. Your mother would be very proud of you.”

  It hurts my chest, and I look down, blinking away the heat in my eyes. “I appreciate that.”

  CHAPTER 31

  ALEX

  I pooped today!

  The bumper sticker is a black circle with a white stick figure doing a spread-eagle jump, and I almost snort coffee through my nose.

  Looking around the empty parking lot, I retrace all my steps since leaving the house this morning. With a cringe, I remember stopping by the school to drop off Pinky’s vaccination records before heading to the distillery.

  Swiping up my phone, I tap out a quick text.

  I pooped today?

  Her reply is quick.

  Cass

  Regularity is so important.

  What happened to Buckle up with Jesus?

  It’s where I expected her to go after my last one.

  Gray dots precede her reply.

  Cass

  It was time to give religion a rest.

  You’re in trouble, Cass Dixon.

  Cass

  Maybe you’ll have to spank me?

  My dick twitches, and I shift in my seat.

  Maybe I will.

  Cass

  I can’t wait. Are you picking up my stuff?

  Yeah, see you in a bit.

  Sliding my phone into my pocket, I see Doug holding a ladder outside the Star Parlor. Britt is on top photographing a small white sign hanging above the entrance that reads Everything in its time.

  “That is not from the eighties.” I hold the other side of the ladder, watching my sister-in-law lean around to get a close-up of the nails used to fasten it.

  “If it was, it wasn’t famous.” Doug shakes his head. “Sounds more New Age to me.”

  “So Madonna and Kevin Costner are off the hook?” I squint one eye, wondering if that joke is played out yet.

  He quietly chuckles, and I guess it isn’t. “I imagine they’ve got pretty busy schedules, after all.”

  “Hey, Alex!” Britt waves at me before climbing down the ladder.

  “Should you be up on ladders in your condition?” I reach out to hold her back as she descends.

  “Don’t you start, too.” Her tone is fussy. “Aiden treats me like I’m made of glass, and I’m not even showing yet.”

  Her feet are on the ground, and I motion to the sign. “Still no leads?”

  “To be fair, we’re not really pursuing it very hard.” She scrolls through the images on her camera. “It’s not like they’re threatening messages.”

  “It is criminal mischief,” Doug notes thoughtfully.

  “Is it?” Britt’s nose wrinkles. “They don’t leave any marks once we take them down. It’s not like graffiti.”

  “Let’s see, we had Open your heart at Bud’s garage, Dreams do come true at the ball field, and now Everything in its time at the Star Parlor.” Doug counts off the messages on his fingers, then he shrugs. “I just don’t see a connection.”

  “Bud’s been married for years,” I muse, “Otherwise, they kind of go with the locations.”

  “I think it’s nice,” Britt counters, putting her camera bag over her shoulder. “It’s a fun little town mystery, and it doesn’t hurt anybody. I’ll take one of those any day.”

  “Same here.” Doug holds up a hand.

  “What are you doing, anyway?” Britt studies me. “Not coming for a reading?”

  “Nah, Cass left one of her crates behind, so I’m picking it up for her.”

  Stepping forward, she gives me a tight hug. “Have I mentioned how happy I am you two are getting married? I like to think I had a teeny-tiny role in making it happen.”

  “I think that’s fair to say.” She has no idea how much her little apartment kick-started the process, along with her wedding.

  “Let me know the minute you set a date. I want to do all the things. Do you think you’ll get married at the distillery like we did?”

  The frenzy begins, and I shake my head, grinning and holding up both hands. “I’ll do wherever and whenever Cass says, just as long as she meets me at the altar.”

  “Oh…” Britt’s eyes warm. “You’re just the sweetest. Now all we have to do is find someone for Adam, and the family is complete!”

  “Right.” She’s not catching me on that one either, despite my suspicions. “I’ll tell Cass to text you.”

  What is it about married women wanting to marry everyone off?

  “You’re kind of young to be worrying about regularity.” Doug chuckles, nodding to my parked car.

  Shit. “Don’t ask.” I pull the glass door open, leaving the two of them snorting behind me.

  When I’m finally at the house again, I grab the razor tool off the counter and carefully scrape the bumper sticker off my car. She kicked it up a notch, but I’m here for it.

  Inside, my little princess is standing on the step stool at the bar with her red hair in a bun on top of her head and a cupcake tin in front of her. Cass is at the stove, stirring ground meat in a pan. It smells delicious.

  “Daddy!” Pinky yells when I walk through the door. “I’m making cheeseburger cups! Look!”

  Walking over to the counter, I see she’s mashing what looks like flattened bread into the muffin cups. Beside her are bottles of mustard, ketchup, and small containers of shredded cheese and pickles.

  “That’s creative.” I kiss her head, continuing past her to Cass. “Where do you find these recipes?”

  “Google.” She turns to kiss my lips, and I pull her closer, nuzzling my face into her neck and making her laugh. “Stop, you’re going to make me spill.”

  Lifting the pan off the stove, she carries it to the sink to drain. Pinky watches her with fascination, and I can’t wait another minute.

  “Penelope?” I lift her off the ladder, putting her on my hip. “How would you feel about making Cass part of our family?”

  “She’s already part of our family, Daddy.” Pinky props her little elbow on my shoulder, threading her fingers as she studies my chin. “She’s more like my mama than Jessica is.”

  The pan clatters on the stove, and Cass’s eyes are wide when she turns to face us.

  Catching my daughter’s chin, I lift her gaze to mine. “What do you mean, baby?”

  “Jessica said I was her daughter, but she wasn’t like a real mom. She was like Drizella, so I picked Mama Cass instead.”

  “Who’s Drizella?” My forehead wrinkles.

  “Cinderella’s step-sister,” Cass answers quickly, joining us and taking Pinky’s hand. “Jessica told you she was your mother? When?”

  “She told you, ‘Thank you for taking care of my daughter’ when she got here.” My little girl uses a nasally, affected tone, and I can’t help a chuckle.

  “You heard that? Why didn’t you say anything, Sweet P?”

  “I didn’t want her to be my mama.” Bright blue eyes meet mine. “I want you to marry Mama Cass and have a carriage and live happily ever after like the princesses.”

  Cass slides her hand over Pinky’s back, and my daughter reaches for her. “Will you do that?”

  “Actually, that’s what I wanted to tell you. I asked Cass to marry me, and she said yes.” Saying the words warms my chest. “We wanted to be sure that was okay with you.”

  Pinky nods, her little lips pursed. “It’s okay with me, because I already said it was, and we’re already a family.”

  I don’t know where she’s getting all this, but I can’t argue. It’s a fact that’s only grown stronger the more time has passed.

  “You’re right.” Reaching out, I pull Cass to my side, and the three of us share a hug. “We just have to make it official.”

  “I don’t want to wait,” my voice grinds out, and I’m doing my best not to come until she’s with me.

  “So close…” Cass’s voice has turned into a growly moan, and fuck me, I love that sound.

  She’s on my lap in a straddle, and my cock is buried balls-deep in her clenching core. She’s riding fast, and her breasts bob right at my mouth. Pulling a hardened nipple between my lips, I give it a firm suck.

  “Oh, God!” Her back arches, and I feel her break.

  “Fuck, yes,” I groan, lifting my hips as my orgasm surges through my pelvis, releasing at last in pulsing jets.

  She jerks on my cock, exhaling shaky whimpers, and I hold her, closing my eyes as the sensation rockets through me, as her hot body pulls and milks me.

  Wrapping my arms around her waist, I sit up so we’re chest to chest, never wanting to let this feeling end. We’re both breathing hard. A bead of sweat trickles along my eyebrow, and I kiss her shoulder, making my way up her neck with salt on my tongue.

  “You are so fucking sexy.” Finding her mouth, I push her lips apart, curling my tongue with hers.

  She exhales a soft moan, another little spasm grips my cock, and I groan into her mouth. Shit, it doesn’t get any better.

  We drop onto the bed sated and happy, and she props her pretty head on her hand, tracing her finger along the side of my face, moving my hair off my forehead.

  “Sorry I made you wait.” Her lips press into a smile, and she almost seems embarrassed.

  For a moment, I’m lost. Her timing was perfect.

  Then I remember. “No, that wasn’t what I meant. I don’t want to wait to get married. I want to do it as soon as possible.”

  Her pretty blue eyes blink, and she reaches for my neck, pulling her face to my chest and inhaling slowly. I’m not sure if this is happiness, frustration, or something else.

  “If that’s okay with you, of course,” I quickly add.

  She nods against my skin, and I smile, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her body closer to mine.

  Her head is tucked beneath my chin, and I lean down, kissing the top of her shoulder as I smile. “I’ve waited my whole life for you. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

  “Paper rings.” It’s a soft whisper.

  “What?”

  “You waited your whole life for this.”

  I kiss the tip of her nose. “And if you hadn’t come to me, I’d have spent it alone.”

  “I think we can be married by Christmas.”

  “What would you say to Halloween?”

  Her eyes lift, and she laughs. “A Halloween wedding?”

  “November first?”

  “I think we can make that happen.” Her voice is happy and full.

  It’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.

  CHAPTER 32

  CASS

  “I should stay home with you.” Pinky’s hand squeezes mine, and she pulls us to a stop on the sidewalk.

  Alex takes a few steps before he realizes we’re not moving and turns back. “What’s wrong?”

  I take a knee beside our little girl. “What’s wrong, Sweetie? I thought you were excited about kindergarten.”

  She’s all dressed up in her black leggings with sparkles and her feathered Miss Piggy shirt. Her iridescent backpack is on her shoulders, and her curly hair is arranged in two ponytails behind each ear. She looks adorable, and ready to own her first day of school.