Best Of My Love: (Love in Emerald Creek) by N.D. Jackson

Author:N.D. Jackson [Jackson, N.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-20T16:00:00+00:00

“I want to be strong like Auntie Dre.” Orchid made her announcement over Sunday breakfast with her father and grandmother. “She is so cool Daddy. I bet no one ever bullies her.”

Erick’s dad senses went on high alert at her words. Her tone and the unhappy pout on her face. “Is someone bullying you sweet pea?”

Her big eyes looked sad. And concerned. “No but they tease me. A lot.”

“Why? You’re the best.” He winked and flashed an encouraging smile but his heart broke when his little girl couldn’t find her own answering smile.

“You have to say that ‘cause you’re my dad.” Her words lacked their usual firepower.

“I have to take care of you, the rest is optional. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

After a few moments of indecision, she looked from Sarah to Erick. “They make fun of my name.”

Damn. He’d told Calista it was a bad idea but he’d felt so guilty for his devastation over losing Dre he’d given in too soon. “Do you like your name?”

“Yeah. Dre said it’s unforgettable. Just like me.”

Of course she did. The woman had a way with kids that he couldn’t seem to wrap his head around. She was prickly as hell with most adults, cutting them with her words as though it were nothing. But to kids she was like a twisted Mary Poppins. “She’s right about that.” But he had to wonder what else she’d said to his daughter.

“She says I should stand up for myself.”

He agreed but she couldn’t go around insulting the world the way Dre did. “What does that mean?”

“It means let them know I won’t take their crap! Sorry,” she added at her use of a bad word. “Missy Madden pushed me down in practice yesterday and I tripped her right before she almost got a goal. Coach made me do laps but it was totally worth it.” She grinned proudly at both of them while Sarah fought a losing battle to hide her laughter.

“She’s still got spunk that’s for sure,” Sarah added sounding almost proud. “Should’ve heard what she said to Marissa at the game.”

He’d heard alright. “It was all anyone at the restaurant could talk about.” He bet Dre would be shocked to learn nearly the whole town was on her side because they were all so tired of Marissa pretending that she ran the town like she had in high school. But damn he really regretted that he’d missed it. Even now, after his daughter had given him an explicit play by play.

“I’m going to read for a bit,” Orchid said as she slid from the chair and put her plate in the sink.

At the sound of her door closing Erick stood and began to rinse the dishes while he told his mom the latest on Dre. He should have felt weird talking to her of all people but he didn’t. He also didn’t go into details. “She hasn’t called or made any effort to contact me.” They’d made love again for the first time in years and he thought that meant they were moving forward.

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