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"I will."

"And send pictures."

"I will."

"And don't forget her vitamin D drops."

"Already packed."

"What about her milk?"

"I've got all the bottles and a cooler of breast milk to last three days. Don't worry. I've got this," I insist.

She sighs. "Fine. Apparently you don't need me."

My amusement disappears. "Don't ever say that."

Her eyes lock on mine.

I step closer. "We both need you."

Her cheeks turn pink.

I wink, put Charlie into her car seat, and get the hell out of there before Lainey asks another question I have to lie about.

By the time I pull onto Dean's property, the sun has already dropped behind the trees. He comes out of the barn before I shut off the truck. The second I jump out and take Charlie out of her car seat, his expression softens.

I laugh under my breath.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, holding Charlie close to his chest.

"Nice to see you too."

His attention stays on Charlie. "Didn't say it wasn't nice to see her."

"I'm starting to get a complex."

"Probably good for you."

I chuckle.

Charlie reaches up and squeezes his nose.

He coos, "There's my girl." His eyes shift back to me. "What's going on? Long drive and it's late."

"We're staying the night if that's okay," I announce.

He pinches his eyebrows together.

"Unless you want me to book a hotel?"

"No. That's not necessary. But are you planning on telling me why you're here?"

"Can we go inside? It's too cold for Charlie to be out long," I state.

He turns and walks toward the house. I follow. When we get inside, we sit at the table. "Now what's going on, son?"

I hesitate for a moment, knowing I need to tread lightly. Dean's a proud man. So I find my words and say, "I heard about your feed prices."