Back in the Soldier's Bed by Donna Alward

Author:Donna Alward [Donna Alward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Donna Alward
Published: 2021-08-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

When Shannyn answered the doorbell, Jonas was surprised to see both she and Emma dressed in red and white.

Shannyn’s hair was plaited in an intricate braid, revealing the pale curve of her neck. For a brief second, he remembered how she’d felt in his arms just a few days ago. Her long legs extended beneath the hem of her shorts and ended with cute white tennis shoes. Legs that had been folded up into his lap as she’d pressed her chest to his. He longed to run his fingers over the smooth length of them.

This was ridiculous. He was here for an outing, nothing more. He’d made it perfectly clear during their coffee date that more wasn’t possible. No matter what he truly felt. Protecting her was more important than his attraction.

“I didn’t realize you’d take the festivities quite this seriously,” he joked, looking down at Emma. Despite their similar dress of white shorts and red T-shirts, he realized again how much Emma resembled him and it filled him with paternal joy. He remembered seeing pictures of himself as a small boy. The eyes, the curls, the shape of the lips…there was no doubt Emma was his daughter and he warmed at the shaft of pride he felt knowing it.

Spending today with Shannyn, too, was probably not the smartest move, but he was determined to enjoy this one last indulgence. Soon she’d see that Emma could spend time with him alone and these family scenes would come to an end. It would be the smart thing to do.

“You look great. I didn’t realize you’d dress up, so I brought something for you to put on before we go.” He held out a small bag, handed it to Emma. She reached inside and pulled out a flat package covered in plastic.

“Tattoos!”

He smiled. He hadn’t been able to resist the temporary tattoos at the store where he’d stopped for snacks on his way to the house.

“Should we put them on?”

“Mama?”

Jonas smiled at the indulgent way Shannyn looked at Emma. When she turned her warm gaze back to him, his grin broadened. It would be a different sort day than they’d spent together before, but he was no less happy with it. Maybe there wouldn’t be swimming followed by fireworks on a blanket…but he could see she hadn’t lost her sense of fun. He had worried about there being atmosphere between them today. So much had happened since his last visit with Emma. Perhaps Shannyn had taken his admonition to stay friends for Emma’s sake to heart.

Shannyn held open the door. “Why not? Come on in.”

Emma went first, choosing to have a flower tattooed on her cheek. “Very cool,” Jonas complimented. Emma spun to rush to the bathroom and check the mirror. When Jonas looked back, Shannyn was waiting for him with tattoo and sponge at the ready.

“Where do you want it?”

“Oh, I don’t need one.”

Emma came running back. “Yes you do, Daddy! You need a tattoo!”

The tattoos were a mixture of butterflies, bees, and flowers.

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