“How do you know he likes me?” He’s mentioned this twice now, and honestly, I’m downright confused.

“Because he hasn’t said a thing about rolling around in the manure pile.”

I snort. Because that’s the bar. If Cade Eaton “likes” you, you’ll know because he won’t mention his preference for rolling around in horse shit.

Within minutes we’re on a back country road and our serious conversation turns to squeals of joy as the wise-beyond-his-years kid in the back seat tosses heads of fucking lettuce out the window and laughs hysterically.

I laugh too.

7

Cade

Willa: I’m sorry I called you a woman hater.

Cade: It’s fine.

Willa: Do you know what the first thing I did this morning was?

Cade: Willa, I’m working. If everything is okay, we don’t need to chat.

Willa: I put my panties on.

Willa: Are you ignoring me?

Willa: I figured you’d be proud. Day one and I’m knocking all the rules right out of the park.

Cade: If I pay you more, will you stop texting me about this?

Willa: Probably not. I don’t need the money. I’m just easily bored, and poking the bear is fun.

* * *

“How was your first day?” I ask as Willa cuts into one of the chicken breasts I whipped up for us the minute I got in the door.

It was a strange transition. It’s like she didn’t realize she was off the clock as soon as I walked in the house. She offered to cook dinner, and I shot her a death glare. I love cooking dinner; it’s how I unwind at the end of the day. It’s when I get to spend time with Luke.

I think I expected the glare to send her scurrying to her room, but all she did was roll her eyes at me.

Offering to help with dinner isn’t a crime, and I need to get over this idea that I’ll just be able to snap my fingers and have her disappear when I walk in the door.

It’s an unfamiliar feeling walking into a house in full swing. One where I can hear my son’s giggles and Willa’s soft, raspy tones.

“We had a great day, didn’t we, Luke?” She grins over at him, and he grins back.

He’s smitten.

When I got home, they were playing dinosaurs outside. I can honestly say I’ve never heard a woman make the noises that Willa was making. Some combination of a goose honking and a donkey braying, intermingled with that light, charm-like laughter.

She was stomping around with her hands folded up in front of her like those tiny T. rex arms.

She looked insane and carefree.

And fucking beautiful.

“Other than playing Dinosaur Ranch, what did the two of you get up to?”