Page 92 of Buckin' Around

His scent pins me where I stand.

I train my focus back to Ivy. Clearing my throat, I sigh as a smile lilts over my lips. “She’s a clever little girl.”

Spence leans into my side, his mouth dropping to my ear. “We couldn’t have done it without you,” he whispers.

I bat at his face playfully.

His hand wraps around my wrist. “I mean it, Riles.”

The words are low, gravelly, making my stomach flip. My last breath wedges in the bottom of my chest. I swallow, trying to fight off the sensation, bliss searing through every inch of me and threatening to take me down.

I turn, putting space between us. “She did it all by herself, Spencer.”

I duck around him and make my way to the kitchen.

I want to revel in this happy milestone. I want to scoop Ives up and hug her tight. Kiss her little face and tell her how clever she is. But I’m not her parent.

I’m not her mother.

I’m the hired help.

So, I leave space for Spencer to do it.

As I reach into the top cabinet for a mug, I hear him playing with her, praising her for the clever girl she is.

He’s a great father.

And I have a suspicion that he’s always been a good man, he was simply living a facade of wealth and weighty opinions up until now.

I make a coffee and pad back to the hallway.

It’s empty.

Footsteps fall in behind me.

“I think family life suits him,” Brady says.

I turn back to find the man in his work clothes—jeans and a flannel shirt rolled up at the sleeves—with light brown hair over dark eyes.

“I agree.” I give him a soft smile before sipping my coffee.

“I know it’s not my place to say anything, bu?—”

“Then don’t, Brady.”

He studies my face before giving me a brief nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

I huff a wobbly sound as he turns on his heel and goes back to mounting the TV.

He’s a good friend. Better to Spencer than his own family is. I know the relationship between the Lockwood siblings is strained, but I was hoping that connecting Ivy with Stace would help bridge the gap they seem to not be able to move over on their own accord.

I think it helped?

Besides, Ivy will need a female role model in her life when I’m gone. Unless Spence starts dating again...

My grip on the mug tightens. Tension creeps into my body.

Breathe, Riley.