The redhead’s brows fling halfway up her forehead. “Wouldn’t have pegged you for a kissing king, stud.”
“Jealous?”
She scoffs. “In your dreams.”
“How’s it going over here?” Our server appears out of thin air like a magician.
Ronnie waves at the familiar face. “Guess what?”
Christa taps a pen to her lips. “Am I allowed to say chicken butt or is that cancelled?”
That gets a giggle from my little girl. “You’re silly.”
“Phew, still got it.”
“This is our first date as a family!” My little girl looks happier than a pig rolling in spring mud.
I scrub a palm over my mouth to hide a grin. Christa has been working here since I can remember and is extremely well connected in town. This news is going to spread faster than if I posted it on the message board myself.
“Awww,” the server coos. “That’s so special. I didn’t know your daddy was dating your nanny.”
Ronnie bobs her head. “Frannie hid on New Year’s Eve and Daddy had to find her and I think they’ve been kissing lots. That means they’re getting married, right? It’s what happens in the movies.”
Christa slides a look my way and whatever she finds has her smiling wide. “Uh-huh, I think love is in the air.”
My daughter inhales deeply. “Oh, I smell it! Frannie and Daddy are in love.” She tugs on the redhead’s jacket sleeve, which knocks her from the stupor she’s caught in. “Are you gonna be my mommy now?”
Frankie’s gulp is audible. She looks seconds away from either bolting or ordering a shot of tequila. “Ummm…”
Christa rolls her lips between her teeth. “I’m gonna bring you an order of mini tacos on the house to celebrate.”
“Those are my favorite!” Ronnie shouts. “This is the best day ever.”
“And the meat raffle hasn’t even started yet,” Christa says before wandering off.
Before we get the chance to recover, a dark cloud looms over our table. An upward glance reveals the three assholes whose ill intentions tried to drag Frankie down at the auction.
My mood sours with a scowl. “I suggest you take several steps back before I make you.”
“Not here for you, Benson.” The man talking is probably in his mid-forties, but a tough road has aged him well beyond that. “If you insist on gettin’ in our way, we’ll do more than mess with your business.”
I stand to tower over the lot of them. “Explain.”
“We both know that’s not necessary.”
“Those were all you?”
Dennis is going to lose his shit when he finds out someone was targeting us on purpose. The vandalism and petty theft add up to a giant pain in the ass.
The one clearly in charge smirks. “Small inconveniences for our entertainment. You’d know if we actually wanted your attention. Isn’t that right, Francesca?”
“Can’t catch a break today.” Frankie’s meek lapse in appearance is long gone, replaced by her signature death glare. “Buzz off, buddies. You’ve got the wrong girl.”
“That ain’t true. You just haven’t come ‘round to the idea yet, but I reckon you will.”
“If that’s supposed to be a threat, just spit it out.” She fakes a yawn.
“We’ve got a job for you,” the leader says.