Page 105 of Buckin' Around

I’m convinced of it.

“Need a hand?” Riley says, her focus snapping to the food on the chopping board under my hands.

“Sure. You want to chop these potatoes, and I’ll start the steaks?”

Without a word, she rounds the counter and starts dicing the potatoes, tossing them into the pot.

Ivy is having the time of her life, babbling away, smooshing carrot into the tray of the high chair. Some is even making it into her mouth.

“Ives, eat, baby girl,” I say with a smile.

Riley pauses, the knife hovering mid-chop.

I salt the steaks and leave them to rest. My body is wrapped around Riley’s from behind before her knife pushes through the next potato.

“Do we need another nickname for you, Riles?” My lips are brushing the shell of her ear. I breathe her in. My body reacts to hers instantly.

She looks up at me, her dark eyes studying my expression.

“No, Spence.” Her eyes are reading my face like they would travel over a page, and I can hear her unsaid, “I won’t be here soon, so you won’t have to.”

The words never pass by her lips, but it’s like the both of us heard them, regardless.

I dot a kiss to the crown of her hair, reluctantly unwrapping her from my hold. Moving to the end of the counter, I say, “I’ll grill these out back.”

I pluck up the tray of steaks and head down the hallway for the back door. The small grill that Brades found in the storage corner of the barn cleaned up good. I fire it up and let it heat before tossing the slabs of meat on.

The night chirps and hisses around me with its insects and the cool breeze whistling through the weeping willows that giveus their shade all day, only to frame the stars in the most spectacular way every night.

We need some back porch going on out here.

I make a mental note to ask Brades if I can do some upgrades.

The back door snaps shut, and I turn back to find Riley holding Ives. She’s fussing, chewing on her rubber toy with vengeance.

“Show Daddy what we found, sweet girl,” Riley gushes.

“Hey, Ives. What is it?” I leave the grill and bend down to her eye level as she sits in Riley’s arms.

“Somebody cut a tooth. Didn’t you, clever girl?” Riley plants a kiss to Ivy’s temple, slipping the chewy toy from Ivy’s grabby hands.

“Ah, open up and show Daddy, baby.”

Ivy rolls, turning into Riley’s shoulder.

“It’s okay. I’ll see it when you’re ready, kiddo.” I dust up her blonde hair with my hand.

She swings back around.

Her little words tumble from her mouth. I’m sure she’s telling me off; I know she hates when I mess up her hair.

I can’t help the smile that stretches my face when I spot the sharp-looking tiny tooth on her bottom gum. I lift my gaze to meet Riley’s. “That looks like it would have hurt.”

“Yeah, teething isn’t pleasant. But our Ivy is a brave girl. Aren’t you, honey?”

She holds her above her head, and Ivy giggles, wriggling in Riley’s hold.

We stay outside, Riley showing Ivy the stars and me finishing the meat. Every minute that ticks over while we’re out here is one I etch into my memory.