Page 28 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

“I think you should ask your dad if it’s okay first.”

“Oh, right.” Her head swivels to Austin. “Is it okay?”

“Don’t do your whole face like last year. That was a mess in the car seat,” he groans. “A small one on your cheek is fine, though.”

She looks back at me. “Please, do it with me.”

“Of course.”

Evelyn sits down in the chair first, choosing a butterfly. She talks nonstop as the lady starts painting the design.

“What cheek are you getting yours on? Because I know which one I’d like to see it on,” a voice comes from over my shoulder.

Did he just say he wanted to see my ass cheek painted?

Turning, I expect to see Brooks, but it’s Conrad. My eyes widen. So quickly, I’m sure no one notices, he kisses my temple.

My hand searches my wrist for a hair tie. I curse under my breath, realizing I don’t have one.

“What’s wrong?” Conrad says from my side.

I sigh. “I was going to put my hair up to keep it out of the paint, but I forgot a hair tie.”

“I’ve got you,” Brooks says, moving behind me. His fingers gently comb through my hair.

He expertly sections off and French braids it, securing it at the bottom with an elastic from his own wrist. The intimacy of the moment feels out of place in such a public setting, but there isn’t a single part of this that feels wrong.

I don’t think anything with these men could feel wrong.

His hands land on my shoulders when I peek back at him. Not wanting to spoil the moment by speaking out loud, I just mouth, “Thank you.”

He nods, gently kneading his hands into my muscles.

With the new flowery decoration on my face, I lean against the tree on the side of the park where all the kids’ events are happening.

Evelyn dragged the twins with her to go mine for gold in the treasure pit. They’re all huddled together, using a screen to sift through the wet sand.

I don’t have my nice camera with me, but I want to capture the moment. Holding my phone up, I take a few shots of the three of them.

Austin leans against the opposite side of the tree trunk, handing me a bottle of water.

“Thanks. That kid is wearing me down,” I say, taking a sip.

“That’s how I feel every day,” he says.

I shift my shoulder, so I’m facing him a little more. “You’re a really good dad, Austin.”

He looks at me like he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.

“I mean it. You are. That little girl adores you.”

He sighs, nervously adjusting his ball cap like my comments are making him uncomfortable.

“I try to do the best I can, but…” He pauses, dragging in a deep breath. “Even though she has no idea who her mom is, I don’t want her to miss having that person in her life.”

With my free hand, I grab onto his forearm, making him look at me. “She has so many people in her life who love her. I’ve seen how much my mom and brother care about her.”

I point at Conrad and Brooks, who are still engrossed with Evelyn.