I was getting antsy. I wasn’t known for my patience with conversations when I didn’t know where they were going.
“She’s a worrier but doesn’t want anyone worrying about her,” Amanda continued.
“I get that.”
“You worrying about her, you taking care of her when you only just met, says a lot about your character. So does the fact Naomi let you into her bed without the usual ninety-nine-point inspection.”
I was equal parts uncomfortable and oddly pleased.
“All due respect, Amanda, I don’t like talking about your daughter’s sex life with you.”
“That’s because you’re a man, sweetie,” she said, patting my arm. “I just want you to know that I see how you’re taking care of my girl. In all their time together, I never once saw Warner bring her a cup of coffee. Never once saw him do anything that benefited her unless it benefited him too. So thank you for that. Thank you for seeing my girl and wanting to be there for her.”
“You’re welcome.” It seemed like the appropriate response.
“Out of curiosity, why do you call her Daisy?” she asked.
“She had flowers in her hair when I met her.”
Amanda’s smile broadened. “She left Warner and drove straight to you without even knowing it. Isn’t that something?”
I didn’t know if it was something or nothing. “Yeah. Something.”
“Well, I like you, Knox. Lou will come around. Eventually. But I like you already.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Liza J bellowed from the deck. “Get your behinds around the table.”
“I’m starving,” Amanda announced. “Why don’t you get our girls out of the creek?”
“Uh…sure.”
I stood there as Naomi’s mother made a beeline for the house steps.
Naomi’s laugh and another splash caught my attention.
I walked over to the edge of the creek and whistled. Waylay and Naomi paused their water fight, both laughing and dripping.
“Dinner’s ready. Get your asses out of the water,” I said.
“He’s so bossy,” Naomi said in a stage whisper. Waylay let out a girlish giggle.
I tossed a starfish towel over Waylay’s wet head. “How was your first day, kid?”
“Fine,” she said, peering quizzically out from under the towel.
The kid was a fucking rock. Abandoned by a no-good mother. Taken in by an aunt she didn’t know. Then meeting her grandparents for the first time on the first day of school. And it was fine.
She turned and ran for the stairs and the promise of food.
“Go wash your hands, Way,” Naomi called after her.
“Why? I just got out of the water!” Waylay yelled back.
“Then at least don’t pet the dogs until after you eat!”
“Fine. That’s all she’d tell me too,” Naomi said as I helped her up onto the bank.
“You worried?” I asked, unable to tear my gaze off her breasts.