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“Morning, kiddo”

She whirled around, war the tension in her chest Dad stood at the botto jeans and his dark leather winter coat “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re here this h Dad never showed up unannounced Or hardly ever

He gave his coht I could walk you to work this ”

“Sure, I’d love that” She carefully headed down the porch steps and fell into step next to him

The sunny day was ray winter skies had taken over The heat against her face was in full contrast to the crisp air biting her cheeks

She grabbed her chunky mittens from her pockets and slid into them as Dad asked, “Is today a better day than yesterday?”

She shrugged, looking down at the sidewalk, as they passed by the biggest oak tree in the neighborhood “I’m not sure what I am today other than happy that everyone knows” That was the simple answer

Dad laughed softly “That was a grand way to tell everyone Very much your style”

She gave hi pride in his eyes, and she laughed too “I suppose you’re right I can’t do anything small, can I?”

“Nope,” Dad said

She took note of her father’s easy gait, both hands shoved into his pockets It didn’t add up “Okay, what gives Why are you not surprised about me and Rhett?”

“Well,” he said, staring out in front of hiain “We all knew soo I’ honest”

While she’d had her very loving grand ure Kinsley needed, she and her father had always had this easy way of talking He’d been the solid rock she could depend on The one who gave her the talks about periods and sex and all the e stuff that no kid wanted to hear their parents talk about Froht set of his jawline meant “But you don’t approve?”

“Whether I approve or not really isn’t forRhett’s child He’s always been a part of the family; now he’s simply more so”

Kinsley let that sink in for in a minute If she boiled it down to simple terms, that’s all this really was Rhett had always been there for as long as she could remember He, Boone, and Asher had been inseparable since their first day of school But if she were honest with herself, her heart hurt knowing that all they’d ever be were co-parents, only involved in each other’s lives because of their child She wantedShe knehat she deserved, and she knew that Rhett couldn’t give it to her “I suppose you’re right,” she said with a s she’d felt since the otta take this one day at a time”