Page 136 of Buckin' Around

“Some of us have been busy chasing bubbles, Daddy.”

He leans in, lips by my ear as he whispers, “You know what happens to my girl when she calls me that.”

I tamp back the urge to roll my eyes.

Nips dust down my neck as his warm hand slips under my coat and shirt, pressing against the small of my back.

My eyes drift closed . . .

Hungry who?

“Dad, dad, dad, dada, dada, dada.”

Spence huffs a laugh against my neck before straightening up. “Later, baby.”

“If you say so, Daddy.”

His face turns to stone, head tilting as his brow cocks up.

I pluck up a sandwich and sink my teeth into it in lieu of doing something stupid like burying them someplace else.

Bellies full, we lay out on the picnic blanket with Ivy between us. She’s sucking her thumb, which is a new development, and hugging Mr. Fluffy to her chest. Her eye lids are drooping, but she flings them open, trying to fight off sleep.

I run my hand over her hair.

“Close your eyes, Ives. You’re okay.”

I dot a kiss on her forehead and send my hand over her small back. She’s out like a light moments later. Spencer simply lieson his side, watching us both. He does that a lot lately. What I wouldn’t do to know what’s going through his mind.

I have an idea, but I hope I’m wrong. Because, as amazing as this has become, it will only be a memory for all three of us very soon.

I let my own eyes glide closed.

No sad thoughts, Riley.

No fecking way, we’re not ruining a perfect day.

I sit up, eyes refocusing on the stunning fields and lake around us as I pull Ivy’s blanket over her.

Spence stands and drops a hand down to me. “Walk with me, Riles.”

I look up at him. In his old work shirt, jeans, and boots, he looks rugged. Sexy as hell. How could I turn this man down? Ever.

I rise to my feet with his help, and we wander for the lake. The trees flanking the water are old, gnarly, and some are twisted at the base, making a seat-type surface. One has a thick branch that hangs low and horizontal. It would make a great tree to climb and explore.

Maybe Ives will get to come here for her summers...

Large, warm hands land on my shoulders and guide me toward the seat-type tree. Spence sits on it, bending down to grab a handful of rocks. He hands me some, and I toss them into the water.

“No, Riles.” His hand closes over mine. He takes one of the rocks and bends to the side, flinging it from his hand as his wrist flicks.

The rock skips over the water, like Mr. Fluffy hopping his way to his burrow.

I chuckle.

Half in amazement at this rock trick of Spencer’s, half at the deterioration of my apparent baby brain.

“You try. Send it more horizontal and flick your wrist.”