“It takes extra concentration, that’s all.” And he was willing to bet Josh would be distracted. Who wouldn’t be, with Brenna next to them? “Is that all you’re planning on wearing? You might want to pick something a little warmer.”
“This is the only dress I own, Tyler.”
He wondered how quickly he could get another dress delivered. “You should definitely wear a sweater. You need to cover up.”
“I don’t have a sweater that’s fancy enough.”
“I’ll call Kayla,” he said desperately. “According to Jackson, she brought half of New York City with her when she moved. He’s thinking of giving her a room especially for her clothes.”
“I’ll wear my coat. And Josh’s car will be heated.”
And she’d be in that car. With Josh. With those mile-long legs on display in those mile-high heels.
“You might be better in snow boots.”
“Snow boots?” She looked at him as if he’d gone crazy.
“We had two feet of snow this weekend.”
“But not in the restaurant, I hope.”
“How are you going to get from the car to the restaurant?”
“I don’t know, but I’ve been skiing Devil’s Drop since I was six, so I think I can manage to walk up a path.” Her eyes glinted with anger. “What is wrong with you?”
That was a question he couldn’t answer. “I didn’t have the best day.” But nowhere near as bad as his evening was going to be. “Look, I was hoping we could talk about Jess. She said something today. Has she confided in you? Said something?”
“Confided generally means someone doesn’t want you to disclose information.”
“But this is Jess. If you knew something bad was happening, you’d tell me, right?”
Her eyes skidded from his. “You should be having this conversation with her, not me.”
“I’m having it with you. She’s my daughter, Brenna! She’s vulnerable. If you know something, you should tell me.” He broke off as the door opened and Jess barreled in with two thoroughly overexcited dogs.
“I decided to walk the dogs now instead, so I’m going to Grandma’s and taking my English assignment with me.” Freezing air and snow followed her into the house. “Can you give me a lift, Dad?”
Ash shook himself, sending snow flying, and then caught sight of Brenna and bounded toward her.
“Sit!” Tyler roared, and the dog skidded to a halt and plopped onto the floor with an offended whine.
“We’re on our third lesson with Dana. He’s trying so hard.” Looking proud, Jess toed off her boots and then took her first proper look at Brenna. “Wow, you look amazing. Dad, you need to get changed. Wherever you’re going, if she’s wearing that, you can’t wear jeans.”
Tyler clenched his jaw. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“Brenna’s dressed like that to watch TV?”
“No, Brenna is going out. She has a date with Josh.”
“Josh?” Jess’s jaw dropped. Her expression went from astonished to horrified. “No way! You can’t do that.”
Brenna shifted on those high heels. “Jess—”
“I mean, that isn’t what—I wanted you to—” she shot an agonized look at her father “—why are you just standing there? Say something.”
He didn’t trust himself to say anything civilized so he focused on his daughter. “Let’s go. I’ll give you a lift to Grandma’s.”
“I can walk—”