Date? Kiss? Jody and Paula had said that if he kissed her, it was a real date, but how could it be when they’d spent the afternoon with saws and hammers instead of candlelight and wine?

When they reached her door, he brushed another sweet kiss across her lips. “I’ll see you before then, but I’m really looking forward to next Sunday.”

She went inside to an empty house and headed straight to the kitchen for a bottle of water. Glad that neither Paula nor Jody was home right then, she wanted to bask in the idea that she was going out with Graham. Even if they’d be surrounded by friends and family on a pontoon boat, he’d said it was a real date.

“Hey, anybody home?” Harry startled her when he popped in the door.

“Just me,” Mitzi said. “Want a bottle of water or a beer?”

“No, I’m good, and I’m glad you’re here alone. I know you and Graham have been doing a little flirting dance. I need to talk to you about that.” Harry pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down.

“Is it about Rita going to the dealership?” Mitzi asked.

Harry nodded. “I guess you already know what I’m about to say. If there’s a chance of them making a family—”

“I just came from his house,” Mitzi butted in. “He told me exactly that there’s no chance of him and Rita ever trying to make another go of it.”

“Tabby and Dixie don’t want their mother in their lives?” Harry frowned.

“Do you remember Rita at all?” Mitzi finally sat down across from her father.

“Not well. Seems like she was pretty wild,” Harry answered.

“She’s blonde, blue eyed, and even smaller than Jody is right now. The girls told us that when they saw her again after more than ten years, they felt she still didn’t want children who didn’t look like her,” Mitzi explained. “I’ve got a date with him next Sunday. We’re taking the girls out on his pontoon boat. You and Granny are invited, too.”

“Just be careful.” Harry pushed back the chair. “I love you and sure don’t want to see you hurt. And, honey, that don’t sound like much of a date.”

She stood up and hugged him. “I promise that I’ll be careful. And, Daddy, I’m finding out that all dates don’t involve roses and lookin’ at the moon together.”

“If you fall for him, darlin’, make sure it’s for him and not to get those two girls,” Harry said as he wrapped his arms around her.

“Yes, sir.” She stepped back.

“Just an old concerned daddy who can’t stand for his baby girl’s heart to get broken. Your mama and I loved each other so much. I want that for you,” he said as he opened the door.