Page 152 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Luther

Sitting at the table, waiting for Ashley and her boyfriend to show up, I wish for the hundredth time that Kendra was with me.

Ashley had it right the first time she mentioned her boyfriend—a double date would be nice.

Not that I need a buffer between me and my daughter. It would just be nice to not feel like a third wheel.

Purple hair catches my attention, and I stand as Ashley approaches the table.

“Hey, Dad.” She beams at me.

The luckiness hits me all over again.

Lucky that I got to have her.

That I got to keep her.

That I managed not to fuck up my relationship with her.

I take her offered hug, squeezing her tightly.

She laughs as she pulls away. “Miss me?”

“Always.” I reach for her head to ruffle her hair, but she dodges my hand.

“Dad, this is Kurt. Kurt, this is my dad. People call him Rocky.”

I eye the man standing beside my little girl.

He’s not quite my height, but he’s tall. Lanky. Nerdy. And looks to be almost fucking forty.

I hold my hand out.

His handshake is solid.

“How old are you?” I ask as I let go.

He keeps his eyes on mine. “I’m thirty-six. Sir.”

Ten years older than Ashley.

My daughter clears her throat.

When I look at her, she lifts a brow. “Kendra couldn’t join us?”

Kendra, my girlfriend, who is twenty-four years younger than I am. And the daughter of my best friend.

I drag my tongue over my teeth as I shake my head.

“Maybe next time.” She smiles as she reaches for a chair.

Kurt beats her to it, pulling the seat out for her.

I shake my head again as my lips pull up into a reluctant smile, and I accept defeat.