T W E N T Y - T W O

Keeping Florence entertained until dinner time seemed effortless for Colton. Kate had sat on the lounge, watching with adoring eyes. He hadn’t been lying when he said he had a knack with kids. He read her stories in funny voices that had her squealing with laughter, played with the trucks and dolls and balls she thrust in his direction without so much as a grumble. When Kate had heated the chicken and rice medley Paloma had prepared, Colton scooped Florence up and rested her against his knee. Dimpled fingers shoveled as much food into her mouth as her little hands would let her. She disregarded the spoon, waving it away when Colton had tried to feed her, content with the mess she was creating.

Rice pooled on the floor, a pile of white grains growing on Colton’s dark jeans. As she coughed, he lifted her cup to her mouth, helping her take a sip. It dribbled down her chin as she insisted on eating with a mouth full of water, dripping onto his t-shirt as Florence giggled.

Ka