As we stood there laughing and planning all of Mia’s artwork for the farmhouse, with even Ava throwing in a few suggestions, I couldn’t help the warmth that took root in my belly—the sweet simplicity of it all. But I did my best to let the feeling flow through me and not grab hold of it with both hands.

Because this wasn’t my home, and Griffin wasn’t my man.

9

Griffin

I grinned as the alert sounded on my phone, hitting the button for the gate to open without saying a word. We’d developed a routine over the past few weeks. Caelyn dropped off Will and food a few times a week. Sometimes, she and the girls would hang around for a little bit and see whatever project we were working on.

I couldn’t deny that the moments I got to bask in Caelyn’s light were the best of my week. She radiated this positivity that was miraculous for someone who had been through what she had. I’d gotten a few more pieces of the puzzle the more I saw her, and the longer I worked side by side with Will. He’d been cautious at first, but he’d let a few things slip as we hauled trash and stripped floors.

As I stepped outside, Caelyn’s SUV crested the hill. I ignored the jump in my pulse as it did. As soon as the vehicle was in park, Mia climbed out of her booster seat and slid out of the SUV. She took off at a dead run, a paper flopping around in her hand as she did. At three feet away, the girl launched herself at me.

The move took me by surprise, and I hurried to catch her, resting her on my hip. “You taking flying lessons now, too?” My chest tightened on the words, a vision of Beth launching herself at my dad in a similar fashion.

Mia giggled. “I love to fly.”

I ruffled her hair. “Well, you’re pretty good at it.”

“Mia,” Caelyn warned.

“Uh-oh,” I whispered in Mia’s ear. “That tone means trouble.”

Mia scrunched up her face. “I know.”

Caelyn crossed to us. “What’s the rule about getting out of the car?”

“I have to wait until you let me out,” she answered in a defeated voice. “But I had to give Griffin his new picture. I was too excited.”

Caelyn did her best to keep her expression stern, but the little quiver in her lips gave her away. “You’re just going to have to rein in that excitement.”

Mia sighed. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you.” Caelyn looked up at me, a gorgeous pink hue hitting her cheeks. “Sorry about that.”