“Daddy! Cupcakes!” she squeals, trying to make a run for it. He keeps a hold of her hand, not letting her get very far.
“Hi, everyone,” he says as he reaches down to lift his daughter. She has his same dark hair and brown eyes. Her eyes are wide with glee as she pays none of us attention and looks around at all of the cupcakes. “Clara wasn’t supposed to work with me today, but Ma couldn’t watch her, and I’m in between nannies.” His eyes meet mine for a moment. “I hope you don’t mind.”
I smile wide, putting my piping bag down for a moment so I can say hi. “I’d never mind. I love seeing sweet Clara,” I assure him, walking up to take her from his arms.
He gives a forced smile. There are bags under his eyes and not a lot of color in his face. He looks exhausted, but I can’t say much else because I probably look the same. “I’m here because I have what can seem like good news.”
My arms tighten around Clara, propping her on my hip. “Yeah?” I’m well aware of how hopeful my voice sounds.
“There’s going to be an auction for the properties.”
I gasp, looking around at everyone else in the room. For the first time since speaking with Jason in New York, I feel hopeful, and for the moment, that’s good enough for me.
“So that means the contract fell through?”
Dean nods. “Sort of. I had some help, but I managed to convince the realty group that they could get far more if they took it to auction.”
“Thank you.” I look down at Clara, finding her still eyeing the cupcakes. “Your daddy might have just saved the day. We’ll owe him big-time.”
Dean smooths out Clara’s hair, looking at her affectionately. “It wasn’t just me. And it won’t be cheap. I don’t think this Jason Vincent guy will go down without a fight. But there’s a chance. I’m trying to speak with Dad to see if we could get in on the auction. He’s trying to go more residential, but there’s nothing he loves more than this town. We’ve got a chance, Pippa.”
My eyes drift shut in relief. All I need is a chance—no matter how small it may be. That’s enough.
“I don’t know how to say thank you,” I begin, setting Clara on the ground when she starts to wiggle her legs.
He keeps his eyes on her. “Don’t thank me yet. We don’t know what will happen. But between the town rallying together for the fundraiser tomorrow and the auction in two days, we might just make this happen.”
“I want one,” Clara declares, pointing her chubby finger at a box full of pink and purple cupcakes. Her brown eyes find her dad’s. “Daddy, please?”
He sighs. “You haven’t even had lunch yet.”
“We’ve got sandwiches in the fridge. I can take her to have one before a cupcake if that’s okay with you?” Lexi offers.
Dean looks nervous about it for a few seconds. His eyes bounce from Lexi to Clara and back. “I don’t want to make you watch her. She can hang out with me while Pippa and I talk a bit longer.”
I smile. “Lexi’s amazing with the kids that always come in. Plus, I think she’s looking for an excuse to get out of icing cupcakes.”
Lexi laughs, shrugging. “You caught me.”
“Please, Daddy?” Clara asks, pulling at Dean’s pant leg. “I want to play with someone new.”
“Are you tired of me?” he jokes to his daughter.
Except she smiles up at him and gives him a confident grin. “Yes.”
Cade busts out with laughter behind us. It doesn’t take long for all of us to double over in a fit of laughter, thanks to Clara.
“On that note, if it’s okay with you, I’ll take Clara out front.” Lexi takes Clara’s hand and walks her to the door.
Dean doesn’t say anything, but he does keep his eyes pinned on Lexi and Clara until they’re out of sight. Finally, he turns back to me. “I can trust her, right?” His voice is cautious. It’s cute. I never would’ve expected the face of Livingston Realty to seem so vulnerable, but he’s always been that way when it comes to his daughter.
“She’s great. Clara’s in great hands, I promise.”
Mare claps her hands together excitedly, licking icing from her finger once she finishes her last cupcake. “Everyone get their heads back in the game. We have a small town to save!”
56
CAMDEN
The last couple of days have been the longest ones of my life. Being in Sutten and not being around the woman I love has been torture, but the next time I see her, I’m going to make damn sure I’m in the position to give her anything and everything she’s ever dreamed of. Starting with making sure she and the people she loves don’t lose their hard work to an asshole like Jason Vincent.