So . . . that was a thing they did.

*   *   *

Libby was a fantastic assistant, Becca decided.

The kid was nonstop energy, of course, but she was also nonstop fun. She talked constantly, and even when things were slow at the salon, Libby made it fun. She played paper dolls with Becca’s old hairstyle magazines, cutting out women and pasting them to a poster board she’d picked up at the pharmacy when Becca had realized all the coloring books at the pharmacy were nothing Libby would like. And, sure, Libby’s collage looked like something a serial killer might have done, but the little girl was having a fantastic time. When clients came in, Libby grabbed the hand broom and dustpan and swept for Becca, and her small face was so serious that Becca took a few photos and sent them to Hank throughout the day.

Not that he’d answered, of course. She didn’t expect him to. She just wanted to share the cuteness.

At the end of the day, she closed the salon and stopped by the bakery for leftovers, and then they headed to the grocery store to pick up a few more things for the house. By the time they got back to the ranch, Libby was half asleep in her car seat and Becca was, too. This time, all she did was drop off the food with a promise to be back in the morning to cook it, smile at a dirty, tired Hank, and kiss Libby’s cheek good night.

She went home and collapsed in bed. It had been a long day.

It was also one of the best days she’d had in a long, long time. This was what it’d be like if she was a mom, she realized. Long, exhausting hours, but filled with the happiest little girl, who made even mundane moments seem amazing. Her heart was filled with longing.

Someday, she’d have a family of her own, she hoped.

Becca closed her eyes and tucked the blankets close to her, but after a moment, she pulled her phone off the nightstand and flipped through the numbers there. He hadn’t deleted Greg’s information after all. He’d only pretended to.

For some reason, that made her smile. Seemed like the big cowboy was all bark and no bite. She deleted the number herself, because she was done with Greg. She didn’t want anything to do with him. Not anymore. She’d already given him far too much time.