Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Vixen looked at her in concern. "Hey. Is everything alright?"
No.
Everything's not alright.
Because I'm suddenly scared my dad and I are forcing ourselves on you.
But instead of saying any of those things, Riley was surprised to hear herself ask, "Can you give me a verse?"
"Oh, um, okay." Vixen looked at her curiously. "But what for?"
"Fear."
"Then something from Isaiah," Vixen answered promptly.
Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Riley's fingers curled into fists. The words were exactly what she needed to hear, but she found it comforting and terrifying to admit this.
Are you really real, God?
"If you tell me what you're afraid of," Vixen suggested gently, "then maybe—-"
"It's you," she blurted out.
Vixen blinked at her. "Me?"
Riley squirmed on her feet. "How do you really feel about my dad? And...me?"
"Oh, Riley."
Vixen's tone was tender, and her smile affectionate. Riley couldn't recall ever using such words to describe anyone in her life. Not even her own dad. But she knew there were no better words than those to describe the other woman.
"You don't need to worry about these things—-"
"Is that your way of telling us not to hope for anything because you're too nice?"
"Wh-what—-no, of course not!" Vixen looked at her for a moment, and Riley was astonished to see the other woman's cheeks slowly turn pink.
"This feels embarrassing to admit, but I'm very attracted to your dad."
Riley was tempted to start jumping for joy—-
"But...I can't date him just yet."
—-only to feel deflated the next moment.
"Why can't you date him?" Riley forced herself to ask.
"Because I made a promise to God."
Knew it, Riley thought glumly. Vixen had standards, as she should have. And obviously, Riley and her dad—-
"I can only date the man God wants me to marry."
—-still had a fighting chance, yeeeeees!
Riley couldn't help it. She did start jumping for joy this time, which in turn had Vixen laughing since Riley's contagious enthusiasm had both Salt and Light chirping like mad.
Riley insisted on helping around in the cafe for the rest of the day, and seeing this set off another round of teasing. Even Riley this time wasn't spared, with everyone asking her about whether she thought Vixen would transform into a villainous stepmother like often seen in films.
Vixen covered Riley's ears at that, complaining, "Stop trying to corrupt her, you guys!"
But this only had everyone patting Riley's head in sympathy and telling her she had their sincerest condolences. Vixen already has you working in her cafe, unpaid! She'll soon turn you into Cinderella if you're not careful!
Memories of such banter had Riley working hard to keep herself from grinning while she waited for Vixen to lock up. All her life, it had always been just her and her parents. But living in Lavender Cove was like being part of this huge family, and she loved it.
Vixen turned to her with a smile. "All done. Thanks for waiting. Can I drive you home?"
"Only if you also promise to have dinner with us?"
"Um..."
"Please?"
"Shouldn't you check with your dad first?" Vixen asked.
Riley rolled her eyes. "Duh. My dad wants to date you. Do you really think he'd get mad if you join us for dinner?"
Five
VIXEN STARTED SECOND-guessing herself as soon as she slid behind the driving wheel. This isn't good. This is bad. This is crazy.
But since the thoughts sounded more like her voice than His...
Vixen turned to her passenger with a smile. "So, Brook Hall, right?"
"Uh huh."
"I hope you enjoy living there, so far?"
"I do. And..."
Vixen looked at the teenager curiously. "And?"
"You know it can be your house, too, right?"
Vixen choked.
"If you marry my dad, that is."
A helpless laugh escaped Vixen at Riley's single-minded focus on making her point. "Your dad and I still have ways to go at the getting-to-know department, and so do the two of us."
"I promise I won't cause trouble!"
Vixen's heart melted at the girl's earnest response. "I didn't mean it that way. I know you won't cause trouble, Riley. You can try hiding it as hard as you want, but underneath your tough-chick exterior is a beautiful heart."
Riley pretended to gag, but Vixen pretended not to hear this.
"I knew it from the start, too."
"Cringe, Vix. I'm seriously cringing."
And so the rest of their conversation went throughout the ride, with Vixen teasing Rule's daughter about all of her secretly sweet traits.
By the time they made it to Brook Hall, Vixen's heart was once again at peace, and she privately thanked God for helping her ignore those little whispers of doubts inside of her mind. This time with Riley had been good for both of them. And in turn, this made her feel more hopeful about a possible future between her and Rule.
Or so she felt at that moment...until Riley led her up to the front steps, and the double doors were suddenly opened by a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in nothing but a fluffy white bathrobe.