He sighs. “Because you’ve got such a busy schedule in Arizona, Lola?”
I clench my fists. “With that attitude, I won’t be attending,” I snap back.
“I’m sorry. I just want my daughter to celebrate my birthday with me. Without a fight. Is that too much to ask?”
I rub my temples, trying to rid myself of the headache I can feel forming. “Fine. Yes. I’ll be there. But I’m only staying for one night. And I’d prefer it if you didn’t make a spectacle of me. I’m not there for work. Or to be an influencer to show off your event. I’m going as your daughter. Deal?”
He chuckles. “I wasn’t expecting you to work, Lo. I just wanted you home for a little while.”
I smile. Fine. I can do that. I might even tell them about my husband while I’m there. “Okay. See you next weekend then, Dad.”
“Love you,” he tells me, and then we cut the call.
I turn slowly to Violet.
“You’re going back to New York?”
I let out a groan, resting my head in my hands. “Yep.”
She rubs my back. “I’ll see what my schedule is, I might be able to move shifts around and come with you.”
God. I love her.
Just when I thought I was closing the door to my old life, it creeps back in, reminding me I’m never truly free.
CHAPTER FIFTY
HUNTER
I’ve beena married man for three days now. And they might just be the best three days of my life.
Except this morning, I wake up, and my wife isn’t in bed beside me. That’s a problem, considering I get up before the sun rises every damn day to start work on the ranch.
My body goes on high alert instantly. Adrenaline kicks in as I shove the covers back and stride down the stairs two at a time. “Lola,” I call out, keeping my voice low enough not to wake Wyatt.
My gaze sweeps through the house. The living room. The kitchen. The playroom.
No Lola.
My pulse pounds harder with every second that passes. I’m halfway to the door, already picturing every worst-case scenario in my head, when I shove it open and step out onto the porch.
And that’s when I see her.
She’s leaning against the fence, one boot hooked on the lower rail, her camera lifted to her eye as she focuses on the horizon where the sun is just beginning to rise between the mountains.
My lungs finally loosen.
So I do what any good husband should: I slip my boots on, and I head outside to sneak up on her. Each step is careful, quiet, my boots barely touching the dirt as I move across the yard until I’m right behind her.
“Morning, handsome,” she chirps, right as my hands settle on her waist.
“Morning, gorgeous girl,” I mutter back, resting my chin on her shoulder.
“I didn’t like waking up without you in my arms,” I tell her.
Call me soft if you want. I couldn’t give a damn. It’s the Lord’s honest truth.
She giggles and leans back against my chest, fitting there like she was always meant to. “I wanted to get some practice in. The sunrise here is beautiful. And I thought you might like to sleep rather than watch me stare at the sun.”