“Absolutely. Go. We’re going to have a great weekend,” she said with what might have been forced enthusiasm—he couldn’t be sure. He really couldn’t read her at all. Seeing her for the first time after the kiss had been as awkward as he’d thought it would be. He was torn between wanting to talk about it and wanting to pretend it hadn’t happened. Torn between wanting to avoid her at all costs and grabbing her and getting another taste of those lips.

Luckily, he’d been saved from having to make any decisions because Marissa was around, listening and watching. Closely.

“Okay…” He didn’t move. His gaze shifted from his daughter to Sarah and back again.

“Go!” they both said in unison.

Right. He was worrying for nothing.

The two of them would probably be glued to computer monitors all weekend and not even notice the time passing. It wasn’t the ideal way he’d like Marissa to spend her weekend, but she’d have a much better time there than she would at her grandparents’ place.

Unfortunately, his in-laws hadn’t been thrilled about this change of events. Carolyn’s “Well, if you think that’s a wise decision…” response had him questioning it even more. Especially when he couldn’t exactly dismiss the woman’s concerns about Sarah’s potential feelings for him, since his own feelings for Sarah were confusing the hell out of him. That kiss had been anything but friendly. But this was about Marissa, and how he was raising his daughter was his call to make.

“Why are you still here?” Marissa asked.

“Okay, I’m gone,” he said, actually walking toward his truck this time. “I’ll have my cell. Reception is usually pretty good at the lodge, a little dicey out on the water, but call Bridget at the desk of Blue Moon Bay Sportfishing if there’s an emergency; they can radio out to the boat.”

Both of them looked bored as he rambled on.

“Okay…bye,” he said. “Love you…Marissa,” he said quickly, as though he needed to clarify, then feeling like a fool, he climbed into the truck and gave a quick wave as he backed out of the driveway.

He sighed as he rested his arm outside the window and honked the horn twice as he drove away.

Marissa would be fine. Sarah was the one he should be worried about. Nine-year-olds had a lot of energy, and Sarah had never been around a lot of kids. But so far, she’d been a pro at keeping Marissa both occupied and content while he’d worked, and he knew he could trust her.