Page 14 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

He looks over at the empty park. “Okay, just for a little bit.”

She squeals again, wrapping her arms around his waist.

We get them into the park before I let Cash off his leash, and they both take off sprinting. Austin is already leaning against the wooden fence.

I walk over and stand a few feet away from him, looking at the expanse of the dog park and the mountains in the distance.

“She’s adorable,” I say, watching Cash chase after her as she jumps over the obstacles in the far corner.

“Thanks,” he says, eyes softening as he stares at her. She clearly means the world to him. “She’s pretty awesome. I’m lucky I get to be her dad.”

“She’s pretty lucky, too. She got a good one for a dad,” I say, turning to grin at him. He gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite meet his eyes.

I know what he’s thinking about, but I don’t quite know why he cares. It’s not like he likes me or anything. I’ve always just been Grayson’s little sister.

“So, you’re Conrad’s Airplane Girl,” he finally says.

“Did he tell you guys everything?”

He shakes his head. “No, Brooks is just weirdly good at figuring things out even when you say nothing at all.”

That I can believe by the way he fit the whole puzzle together in the garage, just with a few looks.

“I promise I won’t make anything weird with the project on the house or anything. I don’t think Conrad will, either. It just sort of happened, but I won’t back out on your guys now or anything,” I ramble on.

He holds up his hand.

“That’s not what I was thinking. You’re very much an adult now,” he says, his eyes tracking over me as he drags in a deep breath. “You can sleep with whoever you want. It’s none of my concern. We’ll get all of the work done at your mom’s house.”

“Thank you.”

“I was just…” He runs his hand over his face, looking at his daughter again. “It doesn’t matter now. If you want to pursue things with Conrad, don’t let me stop you. He’s a good guy.”

My heart twists painfully with something awfully close to rejection.Ouch. Austin and I were only ever a reality in my head, though.

I swallow heavily. “I don’t know what I want.”

I stare into his eyes, and it feels like he’s trying to tell me what he wants through his eyes alone. As to what that is exactly, I have no idea.

Cash and Evelyn come bounding over to us, both breathing heavily.

“Did you guys have fun?” I ask as Cash plops down at my side. “I need to bring you around more often, Evelyn. I think you tuckered him out for once.”

She beams up at me, nodding.

“Do you want a ride back to the shelter? My truck’s over there,” Austin says, gesturing toward the playground.

Glancing down at Cash, who’s still sprawled out on the ground, I hook the leash to his collar. “That would be great, thanks.”

We make our way toward the large maroon truck. Evelyn takes off running again, but Cash stays at my side.

“I don’t need your help, Daddy. I got this,” she hollers, swinging the door open and climbing in.

Austin chuckles, shaking his head as he opens the tailgate. He helps Cash jump up into the bed.

“She’s too independent for her own good sometimes,” he says, chuckling.

“Nothing wrong with an independent woman.” My fist lands on my hip that’s cocked to the side.