17. Noah

The place Brighton took me to last night was the moon and back—without leaving the comfort of our bed—surprising the hell out of me by wearing a sexy little French maid outfit. Trust me, one look at her and I was nearly done before I began. Jesus, when was I ever this happy? I'm not sure, but it scares the fuck out of me because I don't want it to end and that ring…wow, that ring looked amazing on her and maybe, with a lot of love and luck, one day we will have it sized for her.

Yeah, I fucking want that.

My alarm goes off, but I've been awake for a while now, thinking about life and how I ended up owning this resort and falling in love with the girl I bought it from. Little footsteps sound on the floor as an excited Camryn comes running into the room.

"Hey Bean, are you excited?"

"Yes!" she yells at the top of her lungs and jumps on the bed. I instantly cover my nuts because her feet have freaking radar. "Is Ms. Brighton coming too?"

"Yup, she said she would, remember."

"I remember." She jumps up and down.

"You should go get dressed, we don't want to be late. Pancakes?"

"Pancakes," she yells and jumps from the bed. "I'll go get Ms. Brighton."

"No, it's okay," I say. "I'm sure she'll be here on time. No worries. You head to your room and get dressed."

She runs from the room and I tug on my sweats. Once I get her breakfast, I'll have a fast shower, but first, coffee. I leave the bedroom and as I walk down the hall, I hear voices. My heart jumps a little as Camryn squeals about something, and then Brighton tells her to go get ready.

Camryn comes running back down the hall. "Daddy, Daddy, look at what Ms. Brighton got me for my first day."

She holds up a gorgeous dress that only a woman would be able to pick out and my heart lodges in my throat. "Isn't it pretty? Ms. Brighton says it's my color."

"It is your color," I assure her, having no idea what I'm talking about.

"It matches my eyes."

"Right, of course it does. Why don't you go put it on and I'll go make coffee for Ms. Brighton and me."

"Okay, Daddy. Oh, and Ms. Brighton says she's going to do my hair today."

She darts into her room, and tears push against the backs of my eyes to see her so happy. Brighton is a big part of this, and I'm not sure how to thank her. Okay, maybe I can figure out a way or two.

I run my fingers through my hair as I walk into the living room and find Brighton standing there waiting for me. Her cheeks are pink, a little rash there from last night, and I curse myself for not shaving before we fell into bed together.

"Morning." I walk up to her.

"Morning." I love the way she's standing there, full of life and confidence. I don't remember the last time I saw her like that. "Sleep well?"

"What little sleep I did get was good. Missed waking up with you, though."

"Same." She crinkles her nose and glances down the hall. "You know we can't…" For a second, I think she might be checking in, to see if it's possible. While I want her there, I can't let Camryn get her hopes too high. If this doesn't work out…

"You'll sleep in my bed when I'm gone," I say, and it's not a question. "When I'm away, I want to think about you in my bed, thinking of me, touching yourself…"

"What an ego you have there, Noah."

I laugh at that, because I'm the last guy in the world with an ego.

"You think all we girls do is lay around and touch ourselves as we think about hot hockey players."

"You're saying I'm hot."

She laughs. "Of course, I am."

"Does that mean ‘we girls lay around and touch ourselves'."

"I can't speak for other girls, of course." She steps closer and puts her hands on my bare chest. She splays her fingers and her warmth penetrates my skin and my soul. "I can only speak for myself."

"And…"

She arches a playful brow. "And, no."

I groan. "No."

"You see, I've spent every night with you…so, no need to touch myself. But when you're gone." She exhales an exaggerated sigh. "I'm probably going to have to do just that."

"If I video message, can I watch?"

Her eyes go wide, shocked, but there's intrigue there too. "One condition," she finally answers.

"Anything."

"I get to watch you do the same."

"Deal." I glance over my shoulder and when I see the coast is clear, I drag her to me. "Thank you for the dress. That was so incredibly sweet of you."

"I wanted her to look and feel good on her first day."

I run my hands down her back and along the curve of her butt. Today she's in a stylish sundress, looking gorgeous and put together. "You look and feel good on her first day." I back up at the sound of footsteps.

"Oh, Ms. Brighton, I love it so much."

We turn to see Bean twirl in a circle and my heart squeezes tight.

"Jellybean, you are so beautiful in that dress. Now why don't I help you with your hair while your daddy gets our pancakes ready."

Camryn takes Brighton's hand and if I'm not mistaken, Brighton is as emotionally touched by all this as I am. "Come on," Camryn says dragging her down the hall. I watch for a second, until they disappear, and then make my way into the kitchen.

"No lumps," Camryn yells out and it pulls a laugh from my throat. I go to work on making pancakes like Brighton taught me and pull the whipped cream and fruit from the fridge. Beside it sits Camryn's lunch for the day and a pang of…of something I can't identify hits me in the center of the chest. She's growing up so fast.

Just as I finish plating Camryn's pancake, I hear Brighton clear her throat and I turn to see my little girl looking like a ball of sunshine in her new dress with her hair tied back in a ribbon. I bend and hold my arms out to her and she rushes into me, nearly knocking me over. I catch Brighton's eyes and find her smiling at us.

"Okay, let's get at your breakfast," I say and hope my voice isn't coming out as shaky as it sounds. Camryn climbs into her chair.

Brighton grabs a dish towel. "How about we put this over your dress. We don't want any spills." She drapes it over Camryn who wiggles in her chair. "What can I do to help?" she asks.

"You've already done it." I point to the table. "Sit." She arches her brow like she doesn't like it when I'm bossy, but I know different. She sinks into a chair and I slide a big mug of coffee in front of her. Her lids droop as she inhales and the next thing I know, we're all eating and drinking and then running around the house to get Camryn out the door in time. It's crazy and exciting, and what life is going to be like until Camryn graduates, I'm sure, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Twenty minutes later, I pull into the school parking lot, along with all the other nervous parents ready to drop their kids off for the first time, and notice the way Camryn is nervously glancing around. Her friends are back in the city and this can't be easy for her.

She unbuckles herself and holds her backpack to her chest. "Daddy, are you coming in?"

"Of course, I am."

She blinks rapidly, and it's easy to tell she's trying to be brave. "Ms. Brighton, are you coming too?"

Brighton looks to me for approval and I nod. "I wouldn't miss it."

Camryn seems a bit relieved by that, and I put the vehicle into park and step out into the morning sunshine. Exciting kids rush around me as teachers try to corral them into the playground area. I reach for Camryn's hand, and she reaches for Brighton's. The three of us walk toward the playground area, and there's a monitor there checking off names.

"Okay, Camryn," I say, kneeling. "I'll be here after school to pick you up." I give her a kiss on the forehead. "You have a fantastic day." She looks a bit hesitant, until a girl in a very pretty dress steps up to her.

"Hi, I'm Victoria. Want to play?"

Camryn's eyes go wide and she nods. "Let's go."

"Bye, Daddy. Bye, Brighton." And just like that, she's off and running.

I stand there for a second, my stomach tight as Brighton's knuckles brush mine. "You okay?"

I swallow against a tight throat. "That was…hard."

"It was," she agrees. "She's going to do great, Noah."

"I know."

"Come on." She takes my hand and tugs. "Let's get out of here and let her do her thing."

"She is going to be okay, isn't she?" I ask again, and her smile is full of assurances. I nod, knowing nothing is guaranteed. "Okay."

My steps are slow and hesitant as we walk back to the car and I can't help but look over my shoulder a couple of times more, but it gives me comfort to see Camryn playing with all the kids. Soon enough, a bell rings and Brighton squeezes my hand.

"Want me to drive?"

I secretly try to wipe my eyes, but she's on to me. "I got it, but thanks."

We head back home and when we park, my mind is still on Camryn. "I have an idea," Brighton says.

"Yeah."

"Actually, I have a few ideas."

"What are you up to?"

"I have a few ideas on how to take your mind off your daughter's first day of school." She shakes her ass at me and when I curse she laughs and rushes into the house.

"You better have that French maid outfit on when I find you." I hurry after her, tearing my clothes off as I go, and when I finally catch up to her, she's naked in my bed. "Even better," I tell her.

We spend the morning making love, and then we run errands, get groceries, and by the time we put them away, we're ready to head back to the school to get Camryn. It was what most would say, a typical day in any family, but to me it was hands down a beautiful, memorable one, and I have my fingers crossed that Camryn had just as good a day.

We drive to the school and the second I see Camryn waving to me, my entire being relaxes.

"She did good," Brighton says quietly.

I step from the car and open the door to the back seat and Camryn jumps in, talking a million miles an hour, telling us all about her day. By the time I get back into the driver's seat, she's telling us how Caleb and some of the other boys are disgusting, and Brighton and I exchange a grin.

When she finally finishes, I hand her a granola bar and apple, because we're not headed home.

"Oh wait." She digs into her backpack and pulls out a picture. "We had to draw our family today." Every muscle in my body tightens as she holds the paper out and Brighton takes it.

"It's you, Daddy, and me and Ms. Brighton and Grandma and Grandpa."

I cast Brighton a smile, because we have a very special surprise planned for Bean today. "There's something missing from the picture, Camryn," I tell her and I can tell it's all Brighton can do not to blurt out our secret.

She frowns and my stomach clenches because maybe I shouldn't be playing this game with her. Maybe she's going to think I'm talking about her biological mom. "No there isn't, Daddy. I drew you, me, Ms. Brighton, Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone is here."

I breathe a sigh of relief, but it's short-lived because she's totally replaced her birth mom with Brighton, and I want that too, which is why I need to show Brighton we're meant to be a family. Unfortunately, I have to leave for Chicago soon and then my schedule from there on out will be insane.

I grin at her in the rear-view mirror. "We're going to show you what's missing, okay?"

"Daddy, you're silly."

We head out of town, and Camryn picks up where she left off, telling us more about school and we're both rapt listeners, wanting to hear everything. She finally goes quiet as she eats her snacks and Brighton checks her phone for directions.

"We're almost there." She gazes out her rearview mirror as we drive by a farm, with a big For Sale sign.

"Hmm."

"What?" I ask.

"That place reminds me of my grandmother and grandfather's place."

"Look, sheep!" Camryn calls out excitedly.

"Just up here," Brighton says, a look of melancholy on her face. "I like that the pups," she whispers the words pups. "Are being raised on a farm."

I pull down a long driveway and Camryn sits up straighter when I park. "Where are we?"

"You'll see."

She unbuckles and gets out of the car and we take her hand and lead her to the big old farmhouse. The door is answered by a woman in her mid-sixties, and she gives us a bright smile. "You must be Noah and Brighton." I nod and she bends to see Camryn, a very grandmotherly vibe about her.

"Who are you?" Camryn asks.

"I'm Betsy," she responds and as soon as we hear puppies barking, Camryn's eyes go wide.

"Want to come see the pups?" Betsy asks.

She nods emphatically. "Can I, Daddy?"

"Of course."

We follow Betsy inside, and find the pups playing in a room with exercise equipment. It's easy to tell how well cared for they are.

"Are they bears?" Camryn asks and we laugh.

"They're Bernese Mountain dogs."

I kneel next to Camryn. "What do you think, Bean? Should we get a pup?"

Her eyes go wide and tears form in her eyes. "Daddy, no!"

"No, you don't want one?"

"I do, Daddy. I do."

One of the pups comes running up to her and she cries as she bends to hug it. "I want this one."

"Is that one spoken for?" I ask as I stand, and Betsy shakes her head no.

"Yes, Camryn, you can have that one. What should we call her?" I ask.

"Mabel. I want to call her Mabel." I laugh, having no idea where she came up with that name as she hugs the pup and then stands to wrap her arms around my legs. "Now I have a daddy and a puppy and I'm going to have a mommy soon, too."

My gaze flies to Brighton's and when she smiles like she likes that idea too, my heart misses a beat because in that instant, I begin to believe we can do this thing called love and life.

What could possibly come between us now?