“Anything you can teach them to take Calder down a peg is good in my book,” Hadley told her.
“Hey, now,” I warned.
“We should so put you in your place,” Birdie cheered.
Hayes barked out a laugh. “You’re done for now. It’s four against one.”
“Laugh it up.”
Hayes lifted his chin to the bikes on the rack at the back of my SUV. “You going somewhere?”
“Hadley and I were thinking of taking the girls on a ride down by the creek.”
He looked from me to his sister. “I’m surprised you were willing to get up this early on a day off.”
Pink hit Hadley’s cheeks. “He bribed me with food.”
“The way to get you to do anything,” Hayes muttered.
“What can I say? I’m a smart woman.”
Sage brightened at Hadley’s side. “I bet we’ll see some wildflowers for my book by the creek.”
“I bet so, too. Do you have your book with you?” Hadley asked.
“It’s in my bag.”
“You guys are welcome to come with,” I offered to Everly and Hayes.
Everly shook her head. “I think I could use a lazy day at home. We’ve been too busy lately.”
Hayes wrapped an arm around her. “I could use a day with you alone. I don’t know about being lazy, though…”
“Hayes,” she chastised, but he kissed her long and hard.
Birdie made a gagging sound. “Ew, gross.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” I muttered.
“I think it’s sweet,” Sage argued. “I’m gonna find a husband like that one day.”
My gaze zeroed in on my daughter. “One day, averylong time from now.”
Hadley choked on her laughter. “You’re in for it, Dad.”
The wind whippedagainst my face as we rode down the trail. The path along Cleary Creek was well-worn and easy to navigate. There weren’t any stray roots or rocks that would send someone flying. It was perfect for a relaxed bike ride, with just enough peaks and valleys to keep things interesting.
“Dad, watch this,” Birdie cried in front of me. My youngest daughter by five minutes pedaled harder and then raced down a dip in the trail. The hill was steeper than I remembered, and I held my breath as Birdie flew down it.
She whooped and hollered as she reached the bottom, but I couldn’t hear what words she yelled over the roaring of the blood in my ears. Hadley came to a stop next to me on the trail, Sage behind us. She rested a hand on my forearm. “You okay?”
I tore my focus away from Birdie and took in Hadley’s expression. Wariness filled it as if she were bracing for me to lose it. She had reason to. I let out a shaky breath. “I’m fine.”
“I want to do the hill,” Sage piped up from behind us.
“You sure, Buttercup?” I asked.
She nodded. “I’m gonna fly.”