“Not gonna be cheap when it comes to my little girl,” I said. My gaze wandered the room until I spotted my toolbox.
She looked like she wanted to say something else, but her mouth remained closed. I wondered if she thought I was running myself dry. I could understand. It’s not like people usually got rich working construction, but I also didn’t want to explain to her how much money I had and risk her accusing me of trying to buy my way into Kadie’s life again. My jaw tightened at the thought.
I’d spent some time in the last week opening an account with a broker and getting some investments set up. That’s what people with a lot of money were supposed to do, right?
I had also started reading about setting up some special accounts for Kadie. I didn’t want to bring up the subject again to Aspyn because of how she’d reacted the last time I’d mentioned money, but starting a college fund early made sense.
Gesturing to the crib, I said, “How about we start with that? You probably have more experience putting one together.”
Aspyn laughed and knelt down by the box. “My mom actually set Kadie’s up.” She shrugged.
I relaxed at seeing her laugh and smile. “I guess I should have asked Nana to come by, then.”
She shot me a playful glare. “Maybe.”
We opened the box and carefully removed all the pieces, screws, and everything we needed. I pulled my toolbox over and opened it.
“Nothing like putting something together,” I said. “Putting something together with your own two hands. There’s no better feeling.”
“But you’re not doing that kind of work anymore,” Aspyn said softly.
I grabbed a few pieces of the crib and glanced over at her. “Huh?”
“You’re a rancher now, not a construction worker.”
I laughed. “What? Worried I forgot how to use a few tools? I might not still be working construction, but I’m still a man.”
“No, no.” She shook her head. “I mean, you seem to really like building things.”
“Yeah. So?”
“Are you gonna be satisfied not doing that anymore? Are you gonna be satisfied being a rancher?”
I shrugged. “Not like I haven’t done this kind of work before. Don’t you remember I used to work on the ranch every summer?”
“But you didn’t want to stay and work on a ranch before.” Her hand glided over a long plastic piece. “This place wasn’t enough for you before.”
We locked eyes, and I shook my head.
“Is that what this is all about?”
“I was just curious.”
“I’m not leaving, Aspyn,” I said. “I don’t know how else I can prove that to you other than what I’ve done.”
“But will you be happy working for Carl?”
“No, I won’t be.” I chuckled. “But I’m also not working for Carl. At least not anymore. I’m his partner.”
“So what does that mean?”
“It means I’ll have a stake in the horses and cattle, both the ones we raise and sell and the ones we stud out.”
Aspyn frowned slightly. “But Carl is always complaining about how things are tight at the ranch. I don’t get how dividing his profit in half would make that better. I get that he’s trying to help you out, but what if he’s messing things up for both of you?”
I watched her for a moment, thinking over what I should say. I had no reason to get mad at her asking these sorts of questions. I wasn’t just Kadie’s father anymore. I was the guy sleeping with her. She wanted to make sure I wasn’t a deadbeat.
The urge to tell her about my money returned, but I kept my mouth shut. Everything was still up in the air, but she did need to understand that Carl wasn’t about to head to the poor house.