Page 85 of Skye's Fall

“I don’t know how you’re not sick of them yet since Ariel and Skye make them every week for you,” Ever replies.

“Never get tired of dumplings,” I tell her as some of the others take seats next to us.

“Stella, do you like my dumplings?” Ever asks her.

“My favorite, Aunt Ever,” Stella says, shoveling some into her mouth. Just like me.

“She knows a good thing when she sees it,” I say as Skye laughs.

“Not sure what you’re talking about,” Memphis snorts, “unless it’s me.”

“Cocky aren’t you,” Brick laughs.

“Sure am. I know she loves me the best. Don’t you, Stella?”

“Sure, Uncle Memphis,” Stella says, making Memphis puff out his chest a little bit.

“She’s just indulging you, you big oaf,” Mckenna replies, as she and Jimmy sit down. They bought a ranch just down the road from us. They are over quite often. It’s been great and I’m happy they’ve made it work.

“I’m not an oaf,” Memphis fake pouts.

“You’re still the best,” Stella says and Memphis grins. He’s really a big kid at heart.

“Fridays are the best,” Jimmy chuckles.

“Amen to that,” I say as I take Skye’s hand and kiss it. But every day with her is the best.

“Gross,” Stella groans, causing all the others to laugh.

“Someday a boy will come along and you won’t think so,” Skye teases.

“Boys are gross,” she replies.

“I’m a boy,” I tell her.

“You’re different. You’re my dad,” she says and everyone laughs.

“You hear that Memphis? You’re gross,” Brick says from across the table.

“Fuck you,” Memphis laughs.

“You said a bad word,” Stella holds out her hand and Memphis groans as he hands her a dollar. We have everyone trained.

“Thank you,” she pockets it and yawns. It’s been a long day for her.

“You guys go. We’ll bring the horses home,” Brick says as he takes his and Ariel’s plates to throw away.

“Thanks, see you guys at home,” and I scoop up my little girl and we head home.

“Daddy, will you read me a story?” She always wants a story.

“Yes,” again, I can’t say no.

I haul her inside and she changes into her pajamas. I help her into bed and pull out a book, but I don’t read it. I tell her about how a prince, me, found his princess, Skye.

“See the princess was mean, but it was because she was unhappy. She loved a prince but never thought she could have him. They fought and loved. She told him to go away and for a while,and he did. But then she came home to her original kingdom and they found each other. It was hard and times were tough. He almost fought a war for her. And then one day, she was the one to propose to the prince because she couldn’t live without him. He said yes. And then she told him that he was going to be a dad and he was overjoyed. They lived happily ever after,” I tell her.

“That’s not how it goes,” she teases me.