Page 62 of Seasoned with Love (Prosperity Ranch 4)

Mia released his hand, then folded her arms. “I’m not going.”

Roman exhaled, and Cara motioned for her dad to take Ruby out of the room. He told her they should get some drinks in the kitchen, and Ruby headed out, glancing behind at Mia.

When Cara turned to face Roman, Mia’s eyes were already filling with tears.

“I’ve got to get back to work, sweetie.” Roman rested his hands on Mia’s shoulders. “I don’t want to take you away from fun, but Cara is leaving in the morning. We both have to get back to work.”

Mia bit her lip as if to stave off more tears, but they fell anyway. “I really want to stay, Daddy. I want to ride a horse.”

“We have them in Wyoming, you know.”

“Yeah, but you’re always working, and you don’t teach things good like Grandpa Rex.”

Roman went silent at that.

Cara hated that his daughter could say things that cut deep, putting him in an awkward situation. “Hey, Mia,” she said, crouching before her. “Remember how excited you were to come on this surprise trip to Prosper?”

Mia gave a solemn nod.

“Your dad and I were talking earlier about how we want to do some more surprise trips. Maybe I could visit Wyoming, or you can come to California.” She glanced at Roman, making sure she wasn’t offering too much.

He gave her an encouraging nod.

“You know, Mia, family is the most important thing we have in life.” She paused. “That means sometimes we have to be patient or do things we don’t really want to do. We have to help each other out.”

Mia’s eyes widened. “Like when Daddy has to work?”

“Yes. Your dad’s job is really important, and he also wants you to have fun and have friends,” Cara continued. “So if you can be a big helper to him, then he can plan the next fun trip.”

“With you, too?”

Cara again glanced at Roman.

“Of course with Cara,” he said. “Maybe we’ll come back to Texas when Cara can take time off. I’ll get the same few days off.”

“Really?” Mia asked, her eyes huge. “When?”

Roman chuckled, and it was a good sound, because Cara heard the relief in his voice.

“Let’s figure it out,” Cara said, moving to the couch and sitting down.

Roman joined her on the couch, and Mia settled between them.

“Are you sure?” he asked in a quiet voice, meeting her gaze over Mia’s head.

“Are you?” she whispered back.

“Yes.”