Chloe smiled. “I called her, Uncle Trevor. I heard you telling granddaddy how much you missed her and that you hadn’t been able to leave the ranch to see her. So I asked Mommy if we could invite her today. I didn’t think you would mind since you love her and all.”
Scarlett’s face turned red.
“Chloe, honey,” Paxton started to say something, but Chloe wasn’t having it. She had already ratted me out about missing Scarlett…my niece was on a roll. I swear to God, it has to be something in the blood with these Parker women.
“It’s okay, Mommy! Uncle Trevor told Granddaddy he loved Scarlett more than the air he breathes, which is funny cause he needs air to breathe. You know that…right, Aunt Scarlett? Do you love Uncle Trevor that much, too?”
Scarlett’s stunned gaze went from Chloe to me. We stared at each other for a few moments before Scarlett finally spoke.
“I do know that, Chloe. And yes, I love your Uncle Trevor that much, too. Thank you for sharing your special time with him at your tea party.”
My heart slammed against my chest as I stared at Scarlett. Wishing like hell we were alone.
Paxton seemed pleased and quickly dismissed herself so that we could get on with the tea party.
I watched as Chloe and Scarlett instantly hit it off. Chloe poured us all a glass of iced tea in our fancy glass tea cups.
“Wow, you busted out the fancy tea set for Scarlett, huh?” I asked while holding up the miniature tea cup and saucer. “I guess I know where I rank, huh, kiddo? I only get the plastic.”
“Mommy said this was a special tea party and that our plastic set wouldn’t do.”
Scarlett tried to hide her smile but failed.
“Yup, bottom of the pecking order,” I mumbled while taking a sip.
“Thank you so much, Chloe. I appreciate it, and might I say, this is a beautiful tea set.”
“Santa brought it for me last year! This year I’m hoping he brings me a boyfriend. Rip, if possible. If not a boyfriend, then another goat will do.”
I choked on my tea. Scarlett had to reach over and hit me a few times on the back.
“You okay?” she asked.
“No, I’m not okay.” Pointing to my niece, I said, “Chloe, if you ever want to leave the house again, do not put that on your list to Santa.”
Chloe tilted her head and stared at me. “But why?”
“Who is Rip, Chloe?” Scarlett asked, taking a sip of tea and winking at me over the small cup.
I had to grab onto the table because it felt like the entire world had shaken from that one, sexy-as-fuck wink.
“Well, I have two Rips in my life, Aunt Scarlett. My horse I got from Santa, and Rip, my future husband. He’s Wade’s younger brother. He’s in my class and I love him. He doesn’t really know it, though.”
“Oh. I see.” Scarlett peeked at me, and I nodded.
“Yeah, exactly.”
Scarlett focused back on Chloe. “Do your mommy and daddy know about Rip…the future husband?”
“Yep! Daddy told me I’m not allowed to look at Rip or talk to him, but I know he was just kidding.”
“That’s what you think,” I whispered.
Chloe laughed cutely. If only she knew the plans her father was making to threaten the poor boy when he was old enough to know what his penis was for.
“Well, you have plenty of time for boyfriends,” Scarlett said. “I think you and Rip should be friends first.”
“Are you and Uncle Tripp getting married now that you’re gonna have a baby?”
Scarlett and I froze.
“Well, your uncle and I are, um, we’re…” Scarlett looked at me for help, but I leaned back in the chair and smiled, not offering one bit. After what she’d just said to Chloe about loving me, I wanted to see how she got out of this without stumbling.
“You’re what?” Chloe asked, almost with a bat of her eyes. “Boyfriend and girlfriend? I would think so if y’all love each other. Are you going to live here on the ranch when the baby is born?” Chloe jumped out of her seat. “I hope you do! Patches would love another friend to chase around.”
She placed her hand on her hip, tilted her head, and looked up in thought.
“Let’s see, what was the other question I was supposed to ask?”
Scarlett’s mouth fell open as I let out a laugh.
“What do you mean, ‘the other question you were supposed to ask’?” I pulled Chloe over to me.
Chloe giggled and covered her mouth. “Aunt Waylynn and I practiced the questions before y’all got here, but I think I forgot a few. Momma’s gonna be upset with me because those were the important ones, too.”
When Scarlett’s head whipped around and looked at me with a what the hell look, I shrugged. “Welcome to the family.”