Someone Else's Ocean

Ella laughed so loudly next to me I fought myself to keep from jumping in my seat.

“Yes. I’ve been calling him an asshole since I was little, and he got used to it.”

“It was the only time I was ever happy she couldn’t talk,” Ian said with an embarrassed shake of his head.

“But you made sure I knew how to say it,” Ella said with a giggle.

“Yes, I did.” He was a proud dad, it leaked out of his every pore. I briefly wondered what it would be like to raise another human being. I never imagined it for myself, but Ian had done it. And from what I could tell, he’d done it well.

“So, are we sleeping here?”

“Yes, Grandma’s house is rented for the rest of the summer,” Ian answered. I tried to concentrate on his signing as he spoke. They were both too fast. Ian noticed my frown before he slowed down, which earned him a smile from me.

I loved his patience, the way he cared for me and those around him. He may have wanted to be selfish, but that was one thing Ian wasn’t. And because I couldn’t handle another second of watching him without expressing exactly what I loved about him, I excused myself and cleared the dishes. Ian spoke up.

“Ella’s got dish duty. That’s a rule.”

At your house. I managed to sign. “She’s on vacation.”

Ian’s jaw ticked and I did damage control. “Just for tonight.”

He nodded and gave her a pointed look. “Wipe the table. And don’t forget your manners.”

She nodded before she turned to me. “Thank you so much for dinner”

“You are most welcome.”

She then tilted her head at Ian. “Sir, may I be excused?”

“Yes, brat.”

Ella joined me at the sink. “Marines,” she cooed in what she thought was a whisper. Her father slashed his hand through the air and I gave her big eyes and brought her to me in a protective hold while she giggled.

Ian narrowed his eyes at me as he made his way toward his bedroom. “Don’t encourage her.”

Ella helped with the dishes anyway and we made small talk as she told me about the camp in Washington D.C. She planned to go to college there, but they had an early entrance program that she hoped to get into for her last two years of high school. I was sure that Ian had a future somewhere in D.C. In an attempt to mask the sting that threatened I told her of my common love for the Outlander books. She squealed in excitement and agreed to join our book club during her stay.

Minutes later, Ian returned with a brand-new iPad with a bow on top.

Ella squealed with delight.

“I wanted you to have it while you were here. I loaded it with age-appropriate books. Do not even think about downloading that smut I caught you with last month.”

“Yes, sir! Thank you, Daddy!” She wrapped her arms around him tight as he hugged her with his whole being. Something about that had my emotion spilling over. I couldn’t get over the appeal of the several sides of Ian Kemp and I loved every single one of them.

Jesus, Koti, get a grip.

Excusing myself for the second time, I grabbed my book and made my way onto the porch. Lighting candles, I turned on my music, Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” and sank into my sanctuary. Minutes later, I looked up to see Ian on the porch staring at me with confusion.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh, reading?”

“Do you feel out of place?”

I sat up. “Not at all. I just wanted to give you time alone with her.”

“Okay.”