Twist of Fate Louise, Tia (read dune .txt) 📖

Her hair is wild around her head, and she’s struggling with the strap of her diaper bag while balancing her own daughter Lindsey on her hip. “Goodness, Donna. Take a breath.”

“Okay.” She breathes dramatically, as if she’s trying to calm down. “I planned to pick up Coco before I got Melody, but Emberly had a baking crisis and wasn’t able to get her clothes together.”

Coco marches into the room, her light brown hair in a ponytail, pumping a plastic recorder in front of her. Melody is right behind her, carrying her football, golden curls bouncing, and my chest warms at the sight of them.

“I’ve brought my didgeridoo!” Coco waves a plastic recorder over her head.

“Didgeridoo!” Melody cries, hopping in time. “Didgeridooooo.”

I look at Donna. “What’s all this?”

“Liam’s making grilled shrimp, so I told them we could pretend to be in Australia for dinner.”

Coco is five and thrilled Melody is finally old enough to play with her without being a fussy toddler. The two of them are little besties, and Lindsey squirms to get down and follow them.

Travis steps back, watching the commotion—which is totally ruining my “no babysitter” excuse.

I slide the diaper bag strap onto Donna’s shoulder. “Are you sure it’s not too much having all three of them?”

“Of course not!” Donna calls to the girls. “We’re off to the Down Under, Mates. The shrimp is on the barbie!”

“I don’t think it’s the Down Under,” I whisper. “I think it’s just Down Under.”

“Down Underwear!” Melody squeals hopping straight to me. “I’m a kangaroo!”

I can’t help a smile. Her pixie silliness melts all the tension in my chest, and I drop to my knees to catch my bubbly baby.

“Listen to me.” My voice lowers, and she stops jumping. She puts chubby little hands on my cheeks and looks into my eyes very seriously. “I want you to mind Miss Donna and be sweet to Coco and Lindsey.”

“No biting Coco! Coco is not chocolate!” She blinks hard, nodding her little head, and I wince at the memory of that awkward encounter last year.

Coco was a good sport about it, and thankfully the bite wasn’t hard enough to break the skin. Still, I wanted to die.

“No football in the house. Now give me a kiss.” She puckers her rosebud lips, and I give her a peck before hugging her with a loud grunt.

She squeezes me as hard as she can, which is simply adorable before grabbing her little backpack and tucking her football under her arm.

“Let’s go, Coco!”

“Let’s go, Mellow!”

The two little girls march out the door, and Donna gives me a quick hug. “Lindsey’s going to have so much fun with them.”

“Call me if you’re going crazy. Or Liam!” She runs out the door after them, and I’m not sure she even hears me.

The shop seems quieter as the door closes, and I turn to face the outlaw waiting for an answer.

“That was intense.” His eyebrows rise.

“That’s my life.” I nod towards the exit. “There’s the door.”

“Kids don’t bother me.” He takes a step closer, putting a hand on my desk.

The letter and receipt from Spencer falls, and I dash forward. He beats me to it, and my throat tightens as we stand, his eyes scanning the paper. He flickers a glance to me, eyebrows rising.

“It’s…” I take the papers from him and fold them together again before putting them in my purse. “I sold my father’s store in Greenville.”

“I see.”

“Well,” I exhale heavily.

“Well, well.” Now his smile is different, like he has some new information. It makes me uncomfortable. “You’ve got a babysitter. We can grab a drink.”

“Actually, I’m supposed to pick up my cousin at the airport.” Pulling my purse over my shoulder, I look at my arm. “Look at the time.”

“Tomorrow, then. I’ll be at the Tuna Tiki around seven. Meet me there for a drink.”

“Travis…” I pause at the door. How can I say I don’t trust you, you’re bad news, you only bring chaos into my life…? “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Don’t leave me hanging.” He leans down and kisses my cheek, surrounding me in his musky pepper scent.

Exhaling a little cough, I lock the door, watching him leave before jogging down to my waiting Bronco. I’ve seriously got to work on my cock blocking skills. I do not need this right now.

Nineteen

Scout

“Scout Dunne, how do you do it?” The female voice that greets me as I wait outside for Jesse makes the hair rise on the back of my neck.

“Hey, Mims.” I catch her hand before it circles my waist, giving it a shake and dodging her hug. “How do I do what?”

“Stay so young looking, you sexy boy? Did you make a deal with the devil?” I’m not sure how it is Mims Watson sounds exactly like The Nanny… or Janice from Friends. Are they the same people? “J.R. says you’re in that new Chris Nolan picture.”

“It’s true. I’ll be in a theater near you next month.” I do a finger gun, casually attempting to put a little more distance between us.

“Flirt.” She grabs my forearm and pulls me closer. “Will I be able to see you? Or will it be like Where’s Waldo again?”

“Actually, I have several lines.” I smile, doing my best to be friendly yet distant. “But don’t get too attached. I die pretty early.”

“I will be sure to bring my tissues.” She pats my arm with each word. “Or maybe we can see it together? Like a little date.”

“Maybe. I’ll give you a call.” It’s my version of don’t call me, I’ll call you.

“It’s so exciting. You know we never believed that whole gay porn thing. So ridiculous.”

Heat rises in my throat, but I’m saved by my nephew.

“Uncle Scout! Come meet Mr. Tannern, my P.E. teacher. Over here.” Jesse jumps up and down at my side, tugging on my arm. “He’s the one to tell you’re helping Dad with the football team!”

I quickly dismiss Mims and catch his hand.

“Hey, come here,