Page 131 of For Your Consideration

He looked up at me and smirked. “Full dad bear mode, huh?” I glared at him as he laughed. “I’m joking. I would never use Sutton’s nickname for you nor allow Soph to end up somewhere we haven’t vetted either. I bet we can find somewhere better and not let Sutton know about the cost.”

I nodded. “Get me a list.” I knew that I couldn’t relax unless both my girls were safe.

Finding Sophie the best daycare in the area was what I could do right now so I would be doing it. If we didn’t find one that matched up to my expectations then I would be opening my own fucking daycare to make sure she had the best.

37

Sutton

Ihad the spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove as Sophie happily played with toys on a blanket near the island. From here I could keep an eye on her and cook dinner. This kitchen was a dream so although there wasn’t much I was good at making, this was one of them. I loved being here, even when Ash wasn’t home. Something about it just felt right.

Sophie also felt at home and had started to get used to the sounds around here too, since suddenly she got on her knees and started crawling to the door leading to the laundry which would take her to the garage, having figured out the sound of the garage opening meant Ash was home. Although it was rare he wasn’t pulling in at the same time as me anymore.

I moved to the entry of the kitchen and leaned against the wall. Sophie had gotten fast but the door opened before she got there. Asher already had his eyes on the floor—looked like he was being trained too.

He bent down in his full navy suit, tailored perfectly to his muscular body. I had asked him if he had them custom tailored and he said yes. It showed. The frown on his face relaxed the second his eyes locked on Sophie. I watched as he scooped her off the ground and she squealed in delight.

“Hi, sunshine, were you a good girl today?” He pressed a kiss to her face as she brought her hand up to his scruff like she always did. “Did you and Mama make dinner because it smells incredible.” He looked up at me after another kiss to her head and smiled in a way that melted my heart.

“Hey,” I said as he came up to me and pressed a soft kiss on my lips. I let out a contented sigh and went back for a second kiss because I could. “How was your day?”

“Better now.” He looked at Sophie who babbled on his hip. I smiled at him and turned to go back into the kitchen to stir my sauce. “What’s this?”

I didn’t need to look over my shoulder to know he was talking about the gift bag in the middle of the counter. “It’s for you.”

There was a pause, so I turned to look at him. He was staring at the bag, but then a moment later he reached for it. He pulled out the puzzle before he looked at me, his face unreadable.

When I saw the puzzle I knew he had to have it. He always put his away if Sophie was coming over but I knew he always had one going, had even pulled it out at night after she’d gone to sleep, and I learned I didn’t mind them either.

“I didn’t even know they made puzzles like that. And the dog looks just like Thor,” I pointed out when he didn’t say anything. It was a thousand-piece puzzle of a backyard that honestly looked a little like his, the night sky full of stars and a dog sitting near a campfire.

I watched as he blinked, then looked up at me, wonder on his face. “You bought this for me?”

“Well, I’m hoping I can do it with you so it’s something for both of us.”

“Let me pay you back.”

I scoffed. “That’s insulting, Grizzly. It’s a gift.”

He came forward, pulling something out of his back pocket before holding it out. “Take this then.”

His black card hovered between us. “For what?”

“So the next time you want to buy me something you can use it. Buy stuff for Soph, buy groceries. I don’t care, just use my money.”

“I’m not taking your card.” I rolled my eyes at his ridiculousness and turned back to the stove.

“Sutton—”

“It’s a gift, Ash. I wanted to do something small for you. You should just say thank you.”

His free arm wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “I can’t remember the last time someone bought me something.”

“It’s just a puzzle; it’s small. Please don’t worry about it,” I said as he pressed a kiss to my head.

“It’s not small, sweetheart.”

We stood like that for a moment before he pulled away and I decided to put some normalcy back into our night.