Stay with Me (Return to Haven 1)

She pointed to her knee while she wailed. “I broke it.”

Cash stood at his side as Jax examined the injury. A skinned-up knee, typical of summertime and playing outside. But he recalled being a kid and skinning his knees, usually while riding his bike downhill and falling off, so he knew how much this stung.

“I don’t think it’s broken, but we need to clean it up.”

She continued to cry, and Jax picked her up and carried her over to the center island and sat her down. “Cash, grab the first aid kit from under the sink in my master bath.”

He blew on her knee to take away some of the sting while he waited on Cash to get back. “How did you do this?”

Piper sniffed. “When I pushed off the tree, my foot slipped and I hitted my knee.”

Cash came back in and sat the kit next to Piper. While Jax carefully cleaned the area, Cash stepped up and started distracting Piper with his ridiculous, toddler-friendly knock-knock jokes.

Jax was thankful to have someone else here because it was times like this he needed the backup. Being a single father wasn’t the easiest, but it was definitely the most important job he’d ever have. Having Cash here, no matter how annoying the jokes were, was a blessing. Piper loved Cash and Tanner just as much as he did and in a way, they were one big happy family.

“There you go,” he told her as he placed the bright blue Band-Aid over her knee. “Good as new.”

Jax swiped her tears and picked her up, giving her a bear hug. “You want to help finish the bread or would you rather go watch a movie?”

Those little arms around his neck meant everything and he wished he could prevent her from ever crying. Tears absolutely gutted him.

“I’ll watch a movie with Cash,” she sniffed again.

Jax eyed his cousin over Piper’s head. Cash nodded.

“That’s fine, but we have to leave in an hour to take you to Livie’s house, so you won’t be able to watch the whole thing.”

Cash raised his brows. No need to tell him about the whole ambush sleepover. He didn’t need more attention on the topic of Livie Daniels.

“Come on, little one.” Cash rounded the island and took Piper from Jax’s arms. “You go in and pick out the movie and I’ll bring in some snacks.”

“I’m not allowed to have more cookies today,” she told him.

Cash nodded. “I’ll make sure we’re cookie-free.”

He sat Piper down and she raced toward the living room . . . apparently snacks, a movie, and a Band-Aid were a cure-all.

“There’s some fruit cut up in the fridge or you can make popcorn.”

Cash went about getting snacks while Jax checked the casserole.

“So if Piper is going for a sleepover at Livie’s house, but Livie will be here . . .”

Jax moved to the covered bowl with the rising dough. “Shut up.”

“Awww...is this your first slumber party since the divorce?”

Jax pulled the dough out and onto the counter. “Kiss my ass.”

Cash’s laughter mocked Jax. “This is all just too easy, man. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t annoy the hell out of me if the situation was reversed.”

He pounded the dough, ready to get his nosy cousin out of here. “You were never married, so this isn’t the same. And I’m not looking for a wife, Cash. I like Livie and we’re going to be working together. No reason we can’t enjoy each other’s company while she’s here.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

Cash whistled as he headed into the living room. Jax wasn’t getting caught in that bait. No way. It was bad enough Cash knew about Livie coming over and potentially staying for breakfast, but that would be her decision. He wasn’t going to press her or persuade her. As much as he wanted to go full-on seduction mode, he also wanted her to have this same need and ache he had. And she did, but getting her to admit it to herself was the frustrating part.

Jax readied the bread and put it in the loaf pan. He’d learned flying from Paul Daniels, but his kitchen skills were all from his grandfather. The grandfather who’d had to take over when Jax’s parents had been killed in a car wreck when Jax had been only ten. That time had been the darkest, scariest of his life, but his grandfather had done the best he could. They’d mourned together and healed together.