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My daughter sulks out of the kitchen, and I catch Noel’s cheek, giving her a quick kiss. “How’s that for talent?”

Her nose crinkles and she smiles up at me. “I think she’s going to win i

t.”

The last two weeks, ever since that night on the swing, we’ve grown steadily closer. What happened in Mexico was the last thing I held back, and I felt if I were going to prove to her I’m all in, I had to put it all out on the table.

Everything between us shifted after that conversation, and while we still aren’t spending the night together, we’ve found ways around our daughter’s sleeping habits—most of which involve sudden errands the both of us need to run together.

I’m pretty sure Sawyer’s onto us, especially since most of these errands take place while Dove is at school.

“Just think…” Mindy is still going on about the fundraiser. “Evening gowns, tuxes, fancy music, dancing… your birthday. It’s going to be so romantic.”

“What if I just make a big donation like Taron did?”

Mindy’s brows shoot up. “You can do that?”

“Maybe not every year, but I can this year.”

“No.” Mindy shakes her head. “Even if you’re as rich as Beyoncé, I want you to come. It’ll be fun! Taron, can’t you help me?”

Amber eyes meet mine, and Noel gives me a smile I’ve come to love. It’s calm and confident, like she knows something she’s ready to tell me.

I want to hear it.

“I’ll talk to her.”

“This is so nice.” Miss Jessica is in the front seat of my Tahoe, and she runs her hand along the leather arm rest. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a large, nice vehicle.”

“It’s just a truck.” I pat her thin hand.

“I feel like a queen going to see my old shed in all its glory.”

“I hope you like it,” Noel calls from the second row. “I hope people come to shop when it’s open.”

Her elderly friend looks in the rearview mirror. “It’s going to be a hit. You’ll see!”

Dove is oblivious to our concerns. “Boo said her daddy took her ice skating in Monroe last week. I want to go ice skating, Daddy!”

I meet her eyes in the mirror. “I’ll ask him about it, sweet pea.”

“Uncle Leon said the cold, cold reservoir should get ice on it. I bet I could ice skate there.” She looks out the window at the lowering sun, and I make a mental note to get that girl to an ice-skating rink.

She’s been asking for weeks.

“That reservoir has always been as cold as Valley Forge.” Miss Jessica laughs. “It’s not too far from the feed shed, or I should say your new store… We’d go down there after working all day in the hot sun. It was always a dare to see who’d take a chance going in those waters.”

“Your daddy threw me in on our first date.” Noel winks at me in the mirror.

“Daddy!” Dove cries.

“Your mamma shoved me off a flatbed trailer. Nearly broke all my ribs.”

“I did not!” Noel’s voice goes high, and I laugh.

Miss Jessica laughs more, and we’re pulling up in front of the cutest little cottage.

“My goodness!” She clasps her hands in front of her mouth. “Is this it? What a change. This is amazing.”