Fix You (47 page)

             
It was glorious.

             
By the time Chris reached her, he had Maddie riding piggyback, her little arms tight around his neck.

             
“Are you choking Daddy?” Jess asked her with a smile.

             
Chris made a face, affronted. “Daddy’s tougher than that.” And he dropped forward and put his hands on her thighs so he could kiss her.

             
His goatee was rough and he smelled like damp plaster; Jess put her palms on his chest, felt the steady thump of his heart.

             
“Get a room,” Jo said.

             
He pulled back and called Jo a brat; they traded verbal jabs like siblings and then Chris asked how the Race-man was doing.

             
Jess sat in the slow-burning sunshine and listened to them with a smile on her face. She was home.

About the Author:

Lauren Gilley lives in Georgia, taking care of her horses and daydreaming about the lives of imaginary people. Visit her blog for updates about her series, bonus material, deleted scenes and social media connections:

hoofprintpress.blogspot.com
.

She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to drop her a comment!