“Hurry!” Her little legs straighten to push against the passenger seat like that will get us moving quicker. “We gotta win the race!”
I scoff, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. “Nobody can beat us.”
The tires are silent as I whip into a parking spot. This snoozer couldn’t burn rubber if I set it on fire. But what’s most important is that Ronnie arrives safely. See? I’m maturing.
“We’re here!” My voice is entirely too chipper for seven-thirty in the morning.
She wanted to get to school early today for breakfast. I didn’t question her even though the options are usually flimsy and floppy and not appetizing. It must be the novelty of it. Byron was still passed out on the sofa when we left. I didn’t have the heart to wake him. Maybe he’ll still be dreaming by the time I get back and I can reward him. Gosh, I really am becoming a better person. Who would’ve thought? Certainly not my old crew.
“Chop, chop. We’ve got places to be.” Such as riding a certain cowboy before the sun completely rises.
Ronnie scrambles to open her door. “Don’t leave me!”
A cloud of mist puffs from my mouth as I hoof it around the trunk before her feet even touch the snowy pavement. “I’m not going anywhere, kiddo. We’re stuck together.”
“Daddy too?”
I smile while ducking into the car for her backpack. “Yep, he’s along for the ride.”
She slides her tiny hand in mine as we walk to the school’s entrance. “Do you love him?”
“Meh.” I tip my head from right to left. “Maybe a little.”
Her gasp is a rowdy burst of excitement. “Do you love me?”
“Lots,” I admit while my pulse begins to gallop. That’s the closest I’ve come to fully saying it.
“We’re a real family,” she murmurs under her breath. “I knew it.”
Flutters fill my stomach until I have the urge the skip, which is completely ridiculous. I might be giddy, but that’s taking it to an unhinged level I can’t accept. At least not yet. If trashy reality television has taught me anything it’s that this is the honeymoon phase when everything feels shiny and bright. Much can go wrong, especially for a jaded crook like me.
But I allow Ronnie’s joy to fuel my own. We stroll along the sidewalk as if rainbows and unicorns surround us. My spirits are warm and toasty despite the cold. All that matters is the future we’re building together.
Except there are obstacles in our path.
Two recognizable stains on society are standing beside an unmarked van as if they’re about to offer candy to kids. There’s a jail cell with their names on it. My grin melts into a scowl. These assholes have to be the dumbest criminals on the planet.
Their already unfortunate faces are bruised and mottled. Whatever Dennis did to them must’ve hurt, but it missed the mark of finality. I won’t make that same mistake.
But first, I need to get Ronnie out of their sight. My hands tremble slightly as I loop the straps of her bag over her arms, settling the weight on her shoulders. Ice fills my veins when I kneel on the frozen ground in front of her. A crease appears between her delicate eyebrows.
She tips her head at that adorable angle and I suddenly want to cry. “What’s wrong, Frannie?”
“Nothing,” I say too quickly. “I’ll just miss you.”
Her features pinch tighter. “You’ll see me at the bus stop later.”
My nod is jerky. “Have a great day, okay?”
Ronnie stares at me, burrowing into the depths of my conflicted soul. “Don’t forget to feed Tux.”
I offer a wide smile, but it’s more phony than the couples onToo Hot to Handle. “What about Darla and Dottie?”
“Duh, silly. You know their schedule.”
“Of course,” I reply dutifully. “And I have to give Greta seventy-five pats on the neck.”
“Don’t skimp out. She’ll tell me.” With two fingers, Ronnie points from her eyes to mine as if she’s watching me.