Page 91 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Kendra

I wash my hands twice before using the restroom, then I wash them again after.

The baby was cute enough, but that rattle thing was somehow both slimy and crusty. And if he tosses it in my path again, I will step around it and keep walking.

I pause at the door, not yet able to step out just yet.

When I was trapped in Luther’s bedroom that night Ashley came home early, he said our luck was cursed.

And I think it must be.

Think this series of constant close calls is some sort of punishment from the universe.

I blow out my breath.

We’re at the point where we need to just do it.

We need to tell my dad.

I close my fingers around the door handle and pull it open.

We won’t tell him here. Not right now. Not before we have a strategy.

But soon.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I can’t stop my eyes from going straight to Luther.

The way he greeted me today…

I can still feel his hands on me.

His heat on my back as we ordered.

I can still feel the way his voice rumbled against me.

Our luck might be cursed, but it still feels like magic every time we’re together.

Squaring my shoulders, I cross the room.

Luther sees me first, and then my dad turns in his chair to watch me.

His smile seems normal.

He seems fine.

Luther shifts, and I watch him pull his phone out of his pocket.

“Sorry,” I say to my dad as I reach the table. “Had to go.”

He lifts his cup. “We really shouldn’t drink so much of this.” Then he takes a sip.

I roll my eyes as I take my seat.

Luther slides his chair back from the table. “I gotta go. Jessie’s not feeling great, so I need to take over the bar.”

Dad cocks his head. “Really?”

“Oh, that sucks.” I wrap my hands around my latte so I don’t reach for Luther.

I’m not sure if he’s telling the truth or if he’s making it up as an excuse to leave.

And I’m not sure if I should thank him or be mad.

It’ll be less awkward if it’s not all three of us. But still.

Luther stands. “Sorry for cutting this short.” His eyes meet mine. For just a moment.

“Bye,” I say quietly.

Luther nods and grabs his coffee and one of the bags of beans, then he walks away.

My dad watches Luther leave. “Does he seem a little off to you?”

Danger. Danger.

I shrug. “Maybe he’s worried about Jessie?”

Dad shakes his head. “She seemed fine when I saw her.”

“At the grad party?” I ask. “That was like four days ago.”

“Huh? Oh, right.”

Speaking of acting off. “Are you okay?”

He sighs. “I think I need pizza.”

I laugh. “Oh, is that the diagnosis?”

Dad nods. “Want to stay and finish these here?” He lifts his drink. “Or should we do an early dinner on the couch in our pajamas?”

“Definitely option two.”