Knead: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 1) Read Free Page B

pointed look, challenging me to come up with a good answer.
    “You and I had to move away, but now you get to see your daddy again. That’s nice, right?”
    JR’s eyes narrow, but he lets Isla ask the question I don’t want to answer. “So Daddy will live with us now?”
    A wide grin spreads across JR’s face. Obviously, I ignore it while speaking as much to him as to my daughter. “No, baby. He’s going to visit us sometimes, but we live by ourselves now. No one is moving in with us any time soon.”
    “Babe, if Isla wants to live with me, she can. Either I’ll go to your house, or she can come stay with me.”
    His intense stare makes my heart beat faster, and my breath comes in short gasps. He can’t seriously be threatening me. But he is. That’s exactly what he’s telling me. I can’t keep him from seeing his daughter, so either I let him come to us or he’ll try to take her away. That is not an option.
    “We’ll take it slow and see how things go. No need to get all worked up about anything at this point.” I smile as sweetly as possible at JR, hoping to keep things civil.
    “Not too slow.” He winks and turns his attention back to Isla. “What are you drinking, sweetheart? Coffee already?”
    Isla nods her head. “Kid coffee.”
    “Hot chocolate,” I say loud enough to fend off some of the judgy stares from the few people around us. “With only half the syrup they usually use.”
    “Mmm, that sounds good.” JR is really laying on the sweet father routine pretty good. “Maybe I should get some of that.”
    “You should.” Isla nods her head furiously. “You even get whoop cream on top.”
    “As soon as you finish up, we can go to the park for a while and play.” He really seems enamored with the little girl he hasn’t seen in years. My heart softens toward him just an inch.
    “You’ll play with me?” Isla looks shocked that this strange man wants to play with her. Truthfully, I am too.
    “Of course. That’s why I’m here. I want to get to know you again. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
    Isla takes a deep swig of her little cup then hands it to me. “I’m full, Mommy. We can go now.”
    ~**~
    I sit on a bench and keep a close eye on JR. He seems to be really enjoying his time with Isla. That alone worries me. I hoped he might get bored or annoyed by dealing with a toddler. But he’s not. He pushes her on the swing then spots her on the monkey bars. With his strong arms under her, Isla is able to make it all the way across for the first time.
    He helps her down and she’s running to tell me about her accomplishment when his phone rings. JR looks at the screen and then up at me. I roll my eyes, knowing what's coming next. JR holds up one finger and turns in the opposite direction as he takes the call. “Yes.”
    Hmm. Maybe he hasn’t changed at all. I remember these moments all too well. He’ll give me the “sorry, babe, but I’ve got to take care of business” story that I’ve heard a hundred times. I don't know how many car salesmen can do business in the middle of the day when they're out of town. But I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with.
    Handing Isla her water bottle, I ask her to sit with me while we wait for JR to come back.
    When he finally does, I’m surprised by his expression. He seems truly happy to be with us. Not annoyed and anxious to get going.
    “Who was that?” I ask, waiting for his story.
    His tight smile does nothing to hide his annoyance. Honestly, it really isn't any of my business who he’s talking to. I certainly wouldn't tell him who I was talking to. But I know he can hear the suspicion in my voice, and that's enough for now.
    He hasn't won this game yet.
    Ignoring my question, he kneels down to look at Isla instead of me. “Maybe we can go to dinner?”
    “No, thanks. I think we're okay for dinner. We have plans with my sister.” I gently nudge Isla’s shoulder back to my side. “It was great to see you. Maybe