Page 38 of One Kind Goal

“Let me guess,” Trixie said, putting her hands on her hips and looking down at Nia. “You went to the toy store next door, didn’t you?”

“Yes!” Nia’s curls bounced all over the place. “Daddy bought me a purple giraffe.” She looked up at Morgan. “And we bought a game we can play later.”

“Sounds as if you’re about to have a fun evening,” Trixie said.

“We’re having the bestest time,” Nia told her.

Sawyer caught up to them and greeted Morgan with a kiss on the cheek. “Definitely the bestest.”

Trixie winked at Morgan after letting her gaze linger on Sawyer for a moment. “I’ll bet it’s the bestest. You certainly have an eye for beautiful things, honey.” She elbowed Morgan then turned back to the Pegasus.

“This pony has wings, Daddy.” Nia wiggled between Morgan and Trixie to get closer to the Pegasus. “I love it. Can we get him?”

Morgan sucked in a breath. She’d decided that Pegasus was coming home with her, but how could she swipe it from this adorable four-year-old?

Simple. She couldn’t.

“I’ll buy him for you,” Morgan said. If she couldn’t have Raphael, at least she’d know who did have him. “If it’s okay with your dad.” She looked at Sawyer.

“Do we need a Pegasus?” He glanced up at it then looked at Nia.

“But I love him, Daddy.” Nia shot forward and patted the Pegasus. “He looks lonely.”

Heart squeeze.

Morgan turned to face Sawyer. “Think about it,” she said quietly while Trixie talked to Nia about Raphael. “If you keep the Pegasus at your house, Nia will beg her mother to visit you so she can see it and thereby see you as well. You’ll get to see her more.”

Sawyer puckered out his lips and drew them back in as he considered what she’d said. Why she was convincing him to take the Pegasus while she wanted it went beyond explanation right now.

“Okay,” Sawyer said. “But I can buy it.”

Morgan reached out and squeezed his forearm. “Oh, let me. I want to.” It was oddly important to her that her own money—well, Rayhill money anyway—be used to make the purchase of this precious Pegasus.

“Are you sure?” He angled his head and squinted those hazel eyes at her.

“Absolutely. I want the kid to like me, don’t I?”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Sawyer said. “She said your name like seventy times while we were at the toy store.”

“She did?” A funny warmth spread throughout Morgan’s chest over that statement.

“Yup.” Sawyer intertwined his fingers with hers. “She thinks you’re great.” He lowered his head, putting his mouth near her ear. “So do I,” he whispered before kissing her cheek again.

“Raphael said he’s definitely interested in going home with you folks,” Trixie said, gesturing to the Pegasus.

“Did he now?” Sawyer released Morgan’s hand when Nia wrapped her arms around his legs.

“Please, Daddy. Please, please, please.”

“Wow,” Trixie said. “She’s good.”

“We’ll take the Pegasus,” Morgan said.

“Yay!” Nia did another one of her happy little dances, laughing when Trixie grabbed her hand and twirled her about.

“Meet me over at the counter and we’ll settle up,” Trixie said to Morgan. “I see you’ve got a cast there, Beefcake.” She pointed to Sawyer as Nia and Morgan laughed over her choice of nickname. “So how about if I get my nephew to deliver Raphael to you? Where are you staying while you’re visiting Maplehaven?”

“Pine River Cottages Mountain Resort,” Sawyer said. “And thank you.”