Page 104 of Yours To Hold
“Fine. I’ll deal with this when we get back,” I tell Peter.
Downtown Dixon is bustling as I jog across the street from the bar to find Gemma standing outside one of the old shops. It’s been vacant for months. I know Layla was trying to get it, but her shithead ex didn’t budge.
“I thought you were supposed to be watching Willow?” Gemma is standing in front of the store. Craft paper lines the inside of the windows. Whatever is going on, this place looks like it’ll be given new life soon.
Exactly what we need in Dixon. The more business we bring in, the better it is for the town.
“She’s inside. Why don’t you go check on her?”
I eye her. Gemma is buzzing with excitement. I’d say it’s a change from the last time I saw her, but she’s been like this ever since Blake moved back.
“What’s with you and Layla?”
“God, nothing! Just go inside!” Gemma shoves me toward the open door, and I stop dead in my tracks. Willow’s eyes find me immediately, but it’s the woman she’s sitting with that draws my attention.
Ivy.
Ivy fucking Connors.
The woman who has consumed my every waking thought for the last few weeks. I haven’t seen her since she walked out of that hospital waiting room. Taking my heart, and Willow’s too for that matter, with her.
Willow is looking at her like she hung the moon.
“What in the hell are you doing here, Ivy?”
Fuck. I didn’t mean to growl. It’s like I’ve lost all common sense.
“Daddy, language!”
Willow is happier than I’ve seen her in weeks. It’s like when Ivy left, she took all the joy from our house. I never realized how much impact she had on our lives. Now that she’s here? I never want her to leave again.
“Willow, what have I said about that?”
She huffs. “Adults are allowed to say it. I can’t because I get put in time-out at school.” She turns her attention to Ivy. “Mark was making fun of me last week because I was sad, and I told him to go to hell.”
“He did not!” Ivy responds.
Willow nods, her curls bouncing up and down. “And then I got in trouble because I said a not nice word.”
“Maybe next time you can try ignoring him.”
Willow hugs Ivy. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Fuck. Seeing Willow hug Ivy tugs at every heartstring I have. I don’t know who’s missed Ivy more—me or Willow.
“Am I interrupting this conversation?” As much as I want Willow to have this moment with Ivy, I need to talk to her.
“Daddy, I have so much to tell Ivy!” Willow admonishes me. Nothing like a seven-year-old to put you in your place.
I take a step farther into the shop. “How about you go with Aunt Gemma right now, and then I’ll pick up pizza and we can have dinner with Ivy and you can tell her everything that happened at school?”
“Pepperoni with onions and hot sauce?”
“Yes, you little weirdo.”
Willow runs over to me. “Thanks, Daddy.” She crooks her finger at me. I bend down closer to her.
“What is it, Pipsqueak?”
