Page 75 of Perfect Composition

As the line shuffles forward, she primly informs me, “I’m told I get that from your side of the family.”

I can’t prevent the bark of laughter that escapes. Nor the gurgle of my stomach as the wave of barbecue scent reaches our nose.

“Who’s he?” I nod curtly at the man currently chatting up Paige around the town square next to the gazebo. One of his hands is tucked into that of an adorable little girl, which makes my heart ache with the idea of what mine must have looked like when she was that age. What, five? Six?

Austyn leans into me to get a better look. “Oh. That’s Sheriff Lewis. He’s been sweet on Mama for a while.” Her face takes on a peculiar look. “I know Gramps and Uncle Jess have been tossing him her way.”

My gut clenches as Paige ducks beneath the other man’s arm. “Are they…” I can’t finish the sentence. Probably because I don’t want to admit to myself I’m stooping so low as to ask my daughter about her mother’s love life.

Austyn snorts. “Please. If Mama wanted to tap that, she’s had plenty of opportunity.”

“Christ.” I rub my hand over my forehead. “Do you come with a manual I can study? I really am a fast learner.”

She bumps my shoulder in a friendly way. “You’d have to be. Mama doesn’t tolerate morons. Say, is it true you have a college degree?”

“I do. Say, do you plan on going back to finish yours?”

“How did you know about that?”

I tug at one of her braids. “Your mother spilled the beans to Angie, who told all of us at Carys’s office.”

She looks unperturbed at the gossip flow I just alluded to about her life that’s likely not to be stifled. “Someday. Maybe. When did you finish your degree?”

“I had enough credits I was able to finish it online after I saved up enough money. I wanted to have something to fall back on.”

“Good on you. Maybe I’ll go that route later. After I’ve earned the money. I don’t want Mama or Gramps paying for it.”

It’s my turn to bump her back. “What about my helping you out?”

“That’s cool of you to offer, but that’syourmoney, Becks.” The way she emphasizes “your” sets my teeth on edge.

“I missed out on so much that I want to give you the world, Austyn.”Much like I want to give it to your mother, but I leave that unsaid.

She lays a hand on my bicep. I imagine the delicate fingers fly across a board as mine do piano keys. It’s astounding to realize that I had a hand in creating this fascinating woman. A funny look crosses her face. “Don’t you realize I’ve been given that already? And I don’t need your money to get it.”

My confusion must show because she grins. “You’ll figure it out. I’m just hoping I’m around when you do. Oh, she’s ready to be rescued. Mama.” She jumps up and down, whistling between her fingers.

My eyes are forced back to the couple who were in conversation as they blur together in a haze of laughter and color. Every muscle in my body tenses.

And what does my darling daughter do? She laughs before grabbing my hand and dragging me toward them. I glare down at her. “Do you think if she wanted me around she wouldn’t have taken off this morning?” That I haven’t ached to do this very thing since I woke up to a bed all on my own.

“I think you’re a chickenshit because you won’t give up some of your pride to do something that makes you look foolish on the off chance it eases her mind.”

My head rears back as my dainty child takes me to task. “That’s not… You’re wrong,” I state more firmly.

“Then prove it to me, Beckett.”

I ask honestly, “Prove what?”

“That you’re man enough to go over there. Prove you want her for more than just recreating a memory.” She rises on her toes and jabs me smack in the heart. “Prove yourself.”

She’s right. Just like a carousel. We’re going up and down, and we’re both afraid to get off and see what’s beyond it because what happens when the world stops spinning?

Austyn drags me so quickly through the throng of people, more often than not, I’m apologizing for colliding into people. The people of Kensington are surprisingly generous. They take our mini stampede in stride. But I’m still left stunned when she suddenly chirps, “Partner switch. Mama, shoo. I need to chat with Sheriff Lewis.”

And suddenly I have Paige within arm’s reach.

Her face is flushed brighter than the setting sun. “I can’t believe she dragged you across the square like that.”