Lucky in Love (Southern Bride 4)

Her cheeks blushed, and she reached up and kissed me quickly on the lips. “You go in with the kids, I’ll finish up dinner.”

My heart felt like it skipped a couple beats when she mentioned kids. I hadn’t ever realized how much I wanted to settle down and have a child of my own until Saryn showed back up in my life with Liliana in tow. I wanted to be a part of their little family, and now it appeared my dog did, as well.

As I walked into the living room, I came to a stop. Liliana was sitting in a giant plush beanbag with Rus snuggled up on it next to her, his head on her lap and her little hand playing with his ear while she watched Frozen. I had never seen anything so precious in my life. I was lost and I never wanted to be found.

“You like Rus, Liliana?” I asked, sitting down next to the two of them.

She nodded and gave him a kiss on the head. “I wuv him, Twuitt.”

Okay. There went another piece of my heart. God, this girl was the cutest little thing. How in the hell would any father willingly give up this child?

“I’m glad you love him, Liliana. It looks like he loves you, too.”

She giggled, then reached for my hand. I gave it to her, thinking she was going to have me pet Rus. Instead, she turned back and started watching Frozen again, one hand on Rus, the other holding my hand.

Oh, man. I am in so much trouble.

Rus was soon snoring while Liliana held onto my hand tightly. She giggled at the movie every so often. There was no way I was moving an inch, even though my foot had started to fall asleep. I glanced around the living room and noticed it was decorated in a chic sort of rustic way. It reminded me of Evie’s store.

“Who’s ready for dinner?” Saryn said from behind us. I turned to look at her and she froze in place, her eyes locked on Liliana’s hand in mine.

Saryn looked at me, then over to Rus, then back at our hands again.

“You ready to go eat, little one?” I asked Liliana, withdrawing my hand from hers and reaching over to unclasp Rus’s leash. He seemed calm enough around everyone that I felt like he could be trusted.

“Dinner!” Liliana cried out as she jumped up and bounded out of the room, Rus following her.

I stood and gave Saryn a slight smile. “I’m sorry if that was wrong to let her hold my hand.”

“What?” she asked, looking a bit confused.

“Holding her hand. I wasn’t really sure what to do when I realized what she was doing. I’m sorry if that was overstepping. I’m sorta in new territory here.”

Saryn stared at me for a few moments before a stunning grin moved across her face. “I’m new in this area, too. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by her showing affection toward you. She adores you, Truitt. I think she might have developed a crush when you took her to Build-A-Bear.”

I laughed. “Well, I hope her mother feels the same way.”

Her eyes turned dark with desire, and I forced myself to swallow. To breathe. To keep my thoughts rated PG.

“Yes, she does. I believe it’s moved on from a crush, though.”

Breathe, Truitt. Breathe.

“Slow,” I whispered, not wanting to, but knowing the way the air was crackling with heat that I needed to.

She nodded, then reached for my hand. “Let’s go eat dinner.”

We walked into the kitchen, and I took off my cowboy hat and placed it on the counter. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Liliana waiting there with Rus sitting next to her.

The kitchen was larger than I had expected with the guest house being a bit on the smaller side. It had plenty of counter space and felt bigger because of the white painted cabinets and white granite countertops.

“Truitt, would you mind helping Liliana into her booster seat, and I’ll get her plate going?” Saryn asked, giving me a wink as she squeezed my hand.

“It would be my honor to help Princess Liliana into her seat.”

Liliana giggled as she jumped up and down with her arms out for me to lift her up.

“Twuitt, can I keep Wus?”

After getting her all settled into her chair, I tapped her on the tip of her nose. “You like him, do you?”

She nodded hard and fast. “He wuvs me, too. You said so.”

“I see that!” I said with a slight chuckle.

“Liliana, Rus is Truitt’s puppy. He would be so sad if he had to leave him somewhere else and not be able to take him home with him.”

Liliana looked down at Rus, then back at me, her little eyes so sad I nearly offered up my own dog just to see her smile again.