Page 109 of Fierce-Baker

“Get that silly look off your face. Your mother said I need to be firm so that Baker knows not to mess with you.”

She laughed. “Dad. That’s not you. Why are you acting that way? Especially since Mom is in there being overly sweet.”

Her father put Micah down and let him run toward the plastic swing set.

“I don’t know how to act. It’s been years since someone came home with you. The last thing I want to worry about is you locking us out again. I just want you happy and you seem it. If you like this guy.”

“I love him.”

“If you love this guy, then I’m happy for you. You’re smart. You know there is more on the line this time around.”

She went into her father’s arms. “Thanks, Dad. I do. I want to say I know what I’m doing. But I really appreciate the attitude you’ve got about this.”

“We all always say we know what we are doing, but don’t necessarily. Your mom, she gets ahead of herself. I’ve told her to dial it back for years. We see how stubborn you can get and I’m not having that come between us again.”

“Thank you.”

She hadn’t realized just how much her father had stepped up for her.

The words Jolene had told Baker rang true. Or came back.

That a mother was always fearful of pushing their child away, even if they thought they were doing the right thing.

The same could be said about a father.

Her parents always were a good team. Maybe they were just sad that she was doing it alone.

But she wasn’t alone anymore.

And she was going to let them see that today.

32

SOMEONE IN HIS LIFE

“You’ve got my wife walking around on cloud nine tiptoeing like she’s some miracle worker ready to soar with wings.”

Baker turned from where he was on the floor five days later to see Gavin standing there smirking. “Are you sure it’s not tap dancing around in a victory lap?”

Gavin came over and slapped him on the back. “That too. You just made her day not only admitting it but thanking her.”

“Hey, anything to keep her happy,” he said drily.

“That’s the motto in my household. But I’m glad it’s working out.”

“Seems to be,” he said. “Coming to work today or to chat?”

“No reason we can’t do both. I heard a rumor that you’ve got a new mixed drink you’re testing out today?”

He laughed. “No rumor. Going to try out a Tom Collins. I’ve got to say I love that Mason has given me free rein to test things.”

“He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t trust you. And so far this leg of the business is blowing up more than he imagined.”

It was the kind of pride he’d always wanted to hear from a parent. Something he’d never heard in his life at home.

His father worked all the time, nights, weekends, even around holidays. The times when people were out looking for cars. Connor Hansen would be right there trying to sell you everything to go with it.

He often wondered if his mother had fallen for the salesmanship in his father. Or if that was what all the other women did.