Page 34 of One Kind Goal

Nia pulled her lips between her teeth, her expression one of extreme concentration. Slowly, she clamped her small hands on either side of the glass and lifted it off the table. Her gaze was laser focused on the glass and Morgan was a little concerned the child might be holding it too tightly, but Nia made it to the sink.

Morgan took the glass and released the breath she’d been holding. Sawyer did the same beside her.

“Good job, Nia.” Morgan put the glass into the dishwasher next to the other two.

“I did it!” Nia danced around the kitchen island then came to an abrupt stop.

“What happened?” Morgan asked. “I was enjoying your dancing. I was about to join in.”

“I have to go to the bathroom,” Nia announced and took off down the hallway.

“Is she . . . all set to go by herself?” Morgan asked, not having any idea if four-year-olds were potty trained. She peeked down the hallway as the toilet seat banged.

“Yeah,” Sawyer said. “She’s all set. Carina said Nia picked up the idea of using the bathroom quickly.”

“You did say she was super smart.”

Sawyer wrapped his left arm around Morgan from behind and pulled so her back pressed against his front. “And I’d also say it will take her at least two minutes in there.” He nosed around in her hair. “That’s two minutes I could be doing this.” He pressed his lips to Morgan’s neck then ran his tongue along the rim of her ear.

She bit back her moan as she leaned into him. “That’s nice.”

He hummed into her ear then trailed a few kisses along her jaw. When she turned in his hold, they shared a brief kiss on the lips before the toilet flushing made them jump apart like repelling magnets.

“To be continued,” Sawyer said in a low voice that reached into Morgan and stroked all the right places. He shifted his gaze to Nia walking down the hallway. “Did you wash your hands?”

“Yup.” She held up her tiny hands and wiggled her fingers. “A little stool is in there so I could reach.” The back of her purple shirt was caught in her pants and Sawyer tugged it free. “Can we check out the town now?”

“Sure thing,” Sawyer said.

Once they all had on their coats, Morgan led them out of the cottage and to the SUV. She opened the back door and helped Nia climb into her car seat.

“I’m going to let your daddy handle buckling you in because I have no idea how to do it.” And she certainly didn’t want to get it wrong and put Sawyer’s most precious cargo at risk.

“It’s easy, Morgan,” Nia said. “That goes there.” She pointed to one strap and a buckle then walked Morgan through the rest of it.

“That was easy.” Morgan turned to Sawyer. “But check it, please.”

He leaned into the back seat and gave everything a quick once-over. “Looks good to me.” Sawyer straightened then closed the door. He rested his left hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “You’re a natural with her.”

“You think so?” The statement warmed her. She hadn’t interacted with many little kids, but Nia was so willing to engage that she made it easy.

“From building snowmen and believing she could carry that glass to the sink and buckling her in like a pro, you’ve demonstrated some solid parental skills. You sure you haven’t been hanging out with kids all your life?”

“I’m quite positive.” She pulled on her gloves. “I did expect to be more afraid of such a little person, but Nia’s great.”

Sawyer’s eyes softened. “She is, isn’t she? I’m so happy Carina let me take her.” He took Morgan’s hand. “I’m also so happy you’re here.” He lifted his casted arm which was mostly covered by his jacket sleeve at the moment. “Maybe having a broken arm is a good thing. It got me time with you and Nia.”

“Well, I don’t like seeing you hurt and I’m sure the Anchors will be lost without you, but it is nice we didn’t have to wait too long to see each other again.” She rested her hand against his chest. “And I love seeing you with your daughter. You two are adorable together. You said you don’t get to see her much, but she’s clearly comfortable with you.”

“Nia is comfortable with everyone. Carina tells me she’s the social epi-center of her preschool class.”

“Hmm . . . like a certain hockey star who is the social epi-center of his team?” Morgan slid the keys from Sawyer’s hand and motioned for him to get in the passenger side.

When they met in the front seats, he said, “I guess there are some traits that get passed on even if you’re not constantly around someone.” He glanced back at Nia. “I’d rather be constantly around this particular someone though.”

Morgan reached across the center console and gave his forearm a squeeze. “I can see why. It’ll happen, Sawyer.” She released him and started the SUV. Glancing into the rearview to see Nia, she said, “I think I saw something about a toy store in Maplehaven.”

“Toys!” Nia shouted.