Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels 1)

I slowly nodded. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you around.”

My heart felt like it had been ripped from my chest all over again. This time, before I walked away, I asked her twice if she wanted me to leave. I started up the truck and drove away.

Chloe was practically pulling my arm out of socket as she dragged me behind her.

“Hurry, Daddy! The carnival is about to start!”

Glancing around, I couldn’t help but notice all of the people. Where in the hell were some of them yesterday when Paxton needed help setting up? They must have gotten more help after we left.

“A petting zoo!” Chloe shouted.

Laughing, I shook my head. “Pumpkin, you live at a zoo practically.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not the same, Daddy!”

As we walked over to the zoo on wheels, I searched the crowd for Paxton. I knew she was here and a part of me dreaded seeing her. Especially since she let me walk away from her last night, leaving her alone with that fucker, Joe.

Before I knew it, I was in the damn pen chasing a duck down for Chloe to pet.

The battle was won, and it was worth it when I saw the smile on Chloe’s face. Her little blue eyes stared up and pleaded. “May I get a duck?”

My heart dropped. “Huh?”

A light chuckle came from my left. Turning, I wanted to groan when I saw Gina standing there. “They are so adorable at this age. Lilly wants a duck too.”

Chloe jumped up and down. “We can get sister ducks, Daddy. And then they can have play dates.”

Lilly jumped around in agreement. When I looked at Gina I had to turn away. Holy shit if she wasn’t giving serious fuck-me eyes.

“Chloe, we’re not getting a duck. Sorry pumpkin.” I took her hand and glanced back at Gina. “Good seeing you. We’ve got to run, meeting someone.”

Her lower lip jutted out in a pout. “Bummer. Let’s plan a play date! Soon!”

Lifting my hand, I called back to her. “Sure. I’ll get with you on it.”

The second we got out of the mini-zoo I took off. “Daddy, why are we walking so fast?” Chloe asked.

I slowed down my pace. “Sorry, pumpkin. How about we go find some games to play?”

Her smile grew bigger. “Games! Yes!”

We headed over to the area that had all of the games set up. Each one they got to play for something. A homework pass for the older kids, tea with your teacher, a trip to Build-A-Bear, a floating raft trip down the Frio.

“Daddy! It’s a fishing game.”

Something in the air changed, and I quickly looked around. Paxton was nowhere to be found so I shook it off. Chloe was yanking on my shirt, trying to get me over to the small circular pond where the kids were fishing.

When I walked up, I glanced down. Real fish. Yep, we’re back in Texas all right.

“Please may I fish?”

My Chloe loved fishing. She and Dad had already been to the lake on the ranch about a dozen times. Smiling, I motioned for the kid manning the booth to give us a pole.

“Just one, sir?” he asked confused.

Laughing, I stated, “She fishes better than me.”

When the kid handed her the fake worms, Chloe stared at him with a confused expression. “Those ain’t real.”

“Those are not real,” I corrected.

She quickly glanced around and dashed over to the open field.

“What’s she doing?” the kid asked.

A smile spread across my face. “Looking for a worm.”

“But we have worms. She has to use these.”

My eyes swung back over to the kid then I glanced around at their setup. “I don’t see where it’s posted they have to use your bait.”

He glanced over to the older man who laughed and winked. “Hey, if she’s got the guts to dig her own worm, she deserves to use it.”

I gave him a nod as my way of saying thank you.

Chloe came back with a huge fat earthworm.

“I got me my worm, sir.”

“Would you like me to hook for you?”

By the look on Chloe’s face, he knew her answer and handed her the pole again. Promptly getting her worm on the hook, Chloe tossed it into the water. Peeking up at me, she grinned and my heart fluttered in my chest.

I was in so much trouble with this little girl.

So much trouble.

Standing to the side of the giant sign, I watched as Chloe dug up her own worm and proceeded to fish with it. Steed stood there with a proud expression.

My heart ached as I watched them. The moment I saw him earlier I wanted to run up to him and tell him I made Joe leave immediately after he left. Well, after I told him there was no way he had a chance with me. Telling Joe I was still in love with Steed had visibly hurt him, but it was the truth. Besides, we had nothing in common and it was one of the reasons we had never worked out as a couple. That and I wouldn’t give it up for him.