Page 96 of Mountain Daddy

I nod.

And her answering smile is fucking gorgeous.

With her happiness on her face, Kendra, my beautiful girl, leans into me to look around Sterling. “Lunch would be awesome.”

Courtney lets out a sound of excitement, and Kendra presses her hand to my side before stepping away and walking toward the counter.

“So…” Sterling shoves his hands in his pockets as he rocks back on his heels.

“So, what?”

“So… you’re messing around with your friend’s kid.” Sterling can hardly contain his humor.

“And you messed around with your employee.”

Sterling smirks. “Yeah, but I married her. Joe know you’re fucking his daughter?”

“Watch it,” I snap, then take a breath to settle myself. “And what do you think?” My blood has been simmering with possessiveness all day, and these guys aren’t helping.

“I think this is gonna be fun to watch.”

“You’re a dick.” Shaking my head, I walk past Sterling to where Kendra is talking to his wife.

Courtney is telling Kendra about the animal shelter they raise money for, and I can’t help myself. I place my palm against her lower back.

Kendra’s shoulders relax at the contact.

A second later, Sterling stops beside me with a snicker.

“Dick,” I huff under my breath so only he can hear me.

He lets his shoulder bump mine. “Honey.” He catches his wife’s attention. “Hook this fine couple up with some pies.”

Fine couple.

I jab my elbow out, aiming for his ribs, but he jumps out of reach.

Courtney asks what we’d like, and I tell her we’d like something savory for lunch, along with some sweets to take home.

Courtney nods and puts two of her Havarti and ham hand pies and two mini apple pies on a pair of metal plates for us to eat here as our lunch. Then she puts what has to be half a dozen more mini pies into a bag, along with a short stack of Funfetti cookies.

“Oh, um, could I buy a brownie too?” Kendra asks quietly.

She sounds a little… embarrassed?

Then I remember.

I remember and my chest suddenly feels tight.

I like you a brownie amount.

I curl my fingers into the material of her shirt, holding her in place beside me.

I like this girl more than a brownie amount.

Chapter 55

Kendra