Page 81 of Sunshine

I roll my eyes. “I saw the picture on your phone, the blonde, and the little girl who looks just like you, right down to her silkyred curls. I also saw the text about your wife being in labor. So just stop.” I hold my hand out flat as if it will deflect his lies.

Before he can say anything more, a little girl comes skipping toward us.

“Daddy!” A peel of giggles burst from her cherub lips. “The chickens are so entertaining! They keep pecking at my shoelaces.”

She stops as soon as she gets close enough to see our faces. Looking first at my expression and then her father’s, her eyes widen.

“Daddy, what’s wrong? Is the chicken lady upset because I was with her hens?” Her little eyes are filled with worry. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad.”

My face softens at her sweet round face and bouncy curls. “No honey, no one is mad at you.” I crouch down to her level. “In fact, if you want, you can run back to the porch. There’s a little bucket there with apples and celery and some other food scraps. You can give them to the chickens. They’ll love it.” My eyes flick up to Case’s before settling back on his pretty little girl. “If your Daddy says it’s okay.”

Her face unsure, she looks up at Case.

“Can I, Daddy?” she asks, but Case doesn’t answer. He’s staring at me and continues to do so until his daughter tugs on his arm.

I don’t wait to hear his response; I just turn and head into the barn.

Red-handed, pal. Red-handed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Case

I stare at Tessa’s back heading into the barn, my gut in knots. I want to chase after her, but Reece’s little hand clasps mine.

“Daddy, can I go?”

I look down at my daughter’s face and smile. It’s the best I can muster since my chest feels as if it’s been caught in a bear trap. “Sure, honey. You go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.” She jumps up and squeals in delight.

“Yay!” She waves as she runs off.

“Be careful,” I shout after her.

I march into the barn as soon as my daughter reaches the porch. “Tessa!”

“Go away. You’re trespassing.”

“Jesus, quit it.” I reach out and grab her arm, spinning her to face me. Her expression is pinched, her eyes hard, but they’re also red-rimmed and glassy. She’s hurt and lashing out.

“Tessa, oh, god, baby, you misunderstood. I’m not married, and I was going to tell you about Reece on our date.”

She tugs her arm back hard, so I let go of her.

“So, you’re not married, who cares? You’re together. You’ve got kids. Same thing.” Her tapping foot tells me she doesn’t believe me.

“No. It’s not?—”

“So, the stork dropped Reece off?”

“Shut up, Tessa, and let me explain.” It’s the wrong thing to say, but before I can tell her that she’s the only woman I’m with, her mouth opens, and her eyes widen.

“Fire!” She points. Her paling face axes my suspiciousness, so I turn to look.

It’s not an escape tactic. And the smoke is coming from my house.

“Reece!”

Reece is coughing when I get to her, but otherwise she’s fine. I scoop her little body up into my arms. The wail of sirens sound from a distance, but the thick smoke makes it impossible to see the house.