Shadows of You (Lost & Found #4)(73)

“Never! I’m having way too much fun. Our slumber parties are the bestest.”

Aspen glanced my way. Some of those shadows had cleared with her daughter’s excitement. “Being the bestest is the highest compliment she’s got.”

“Nuh-uh,” Cady argued.

Aspen arched a brow at her. “Then what is?”

She grinned. “Sharing my glitter nail polish.”

I barked out a laugh. “Good to know.”

When I pulled into Aspen’s drive, there wasn’t a reporter to be found, but Lawson still had a cruiser parked out front. I knew that was a sacrifice with the murder case going on at the same time, and I appreciated it more than I could say.

I waved to the officer as we turned in. By the time I parked, Cady was bouncing in her seat. “I gotta get out.”

Aspen hurried to get Cady free and unlock the door. “Do you need to pee?”

“Nope!” Cady ran inside, and Aspen gave me a puzzled look.

A second later, Cady reemerged, putting on a helmet.

“Katydid,” Aspen said. “Let’s save bike riding for after your snack.”

“I’m not riding my bike,” she called, running toward the pasture.

We trailed after her.

“Where are you going?” Aspen yelled.

“Ms. Breaker taught us about goats today. She said this is how they play.”

Cady slipped through the rails on the fence and headed straight for the four goats. They all brightened at her arrival. Then she lowered her head and ran toward one.

Aspen gripped my arm, but the goat just lowered his head in answer, and they headbutted. Cady let out a giggle as she turned to the other goat. They crashed into each other, and Cady went flying with another giggle. “I’m a goatie now!”

A laugh rumbled out of me as the third goat started nibbling on Cady’s pant leg.

Aspen stilled next to me, her gaze slowly finding mine. There was wonder in those green eyes.

“What?” I asked.

“Most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard—you laughing.”





36





ASPEN





“Aaaaaaayeeeeee!” Charlie shouted as he flung himself off the monkey bars.

I winced as he landed with a thud. “Lawson’s never going to let me watch Charlie again if I bring him back in a full-body cast.”

Grae laughed from her spot next to me on the bench. “My brother is raising three boys. Almost all of whom have been in a cast at one point or another. He knows there’s no stopping them.”

Cady let out a higher-pitched squeal as she flew off the monkey bars like Charlie.

Roan moved as if he were going to launch himself off the bench. I grabbed his arm to stop him, and he snapped his gaze in my direction. “I don’t think it’s safe.”

My insides went squishy in a way that only happened when Roan looked out for my girl. “She has to learn her limits.”

I glanced around the park for the tenth time, checking for any sign of reporters. There was nothing. I’d tucked Cady’s red hair up in a beanie, and I had mine woven tightly in a bun and covered with a ski cap.

Caden chuckled as he glanced at Roan. “I’m pretty sure you gave your parents daily heart attacks at that age.”

Roan just grunted in response, and I couldn’t hold back my smile.

“I’m pretty sure that means yes,” I said.

Grae grinned. “It’s impressive that you’re already becoming fluent in his grunts.”

I patted Roan’s chest. “It’d be hard to have a conversation otherwise.”

Grae burst out laughing.

Roan glared at both of us. “Stop ganging up on me.”

I bit back my giggle. “Come on, big man. You can take it.”

Roan leaned in close, whispering in my ear. “There’s gonna be punishment for that later.”

I shivered. “God, I hope so.”

He growled low, the sound washing over me.

Grae groaned, and I quickly looked up, following her line of sight. Katelyn was heading toward the park with two other moms, their daughters in tow.

“What?” Caden asked, confused.

Grae glanced at him. “Don’t you remember Katelyn from high school?”

Caden shuddered. “I think I tried to block out any memories of her. She’s ruthless.”

Katelyn’s gaze narrowed on the four of us as she sat on a nearby bench with her friends. She tossed her blond hair over her shoulder and began whispering to her cohorts.

I didn’t give a damn about her; I was worried about her daughter picking on Cady. Heather glared at Cady but then glanced in Roan’s direction, swallowing hard. Instead of starting anything, she tugged her friends toward the other side of the playground. I let out the breath I’d been holding.

Grae turned to me. “Did you let Roan threaten that little mean-girl-in-training? You knew I wanted to, but you wouldn’t let me.”

Caden choked on a laugh. “You want to go toe-to-toe with a six-year-old, Gigi?”

Grae let out a huff. “If she’s being mean to Cady, I do.”

“Roan might’ve taken Cady to dance one day and been his usual brooding self,” I told her.