The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(44)

Salem and I sit down in the grass a few feet away, giving Seda space to talk to her brother. I stretch my legs out, Salem scooting close enough to me that our legs touch and she rests her head on my shoulder.

This … it feels like a dream.

I accepted my fate, that she’d never be mine, but the universe has given us another chance and I can’t help but think it’s because it was always supposed to be us.

“She’s pretty amazing, huh?” She whispers the question so only I can hear.

I smile, watching our little girl sit cross-legged with Forrest, chatting animatedly like he’s right there beside her.

“She’s perfect.”





Caleb’s shiny Mercedes sits in the driveway when we get back. I try not to let that piss me off. I need to be a mature ass adult about this.

“Daddy!” Seda cries excitedly from the backseat.

I feel a tiny sting in my chest, because that excitement isn’t for me. I have to earn it, just like he did.

I park my truck on the street in front of my house. Caleb walks over, scooping up Seda when she jumps out.

“There’s my girl.” He spins her around.

My frustration melts a tiny bit, because I see how much he loves Seda. He loves her as if she really was his own—that’s more than a lot of people are capable of.

He sets her down and turns to me, holding out his hand. “How’s it going?”

I know I blindsided him yesterday thanking him for taking care of them, because let’s face it, when he was a teenager heading off to college I wasn’t exactly his biggest fan. But I guess we’re both trying to put our best foot forward and be decent about this.

“I’m good.” I shake his hand. “How was your night?”

“Good,” he laughs. “My mom was happy to see me.” I turn just in time to see Salem roll her eyes. “My mom doesn’t like Salem,” Caleb explains.

Salem huffs. “She liked me just fine when she thought we weren’t that serious. But when you didn’t break up with me that summer after senior year she got scared.” She looks up at me, and finishes, “She’s one of those boy moms that can’t let go.”

Caleb laughs more fully this time. “You’re not wrong.”

Salem goes on to add, “She definitely didn’t like it when Caleb took Seda on as his own.”

Caleb squeezes Seda’s shoulders lightly. “Her loss, because this is the most awesome girl in all the land.” He picks her up again, spinning her. Seda’s giggles fill the air. When he sets her back down, he says, “I haven’t seen my parents much the past few years so I’m trying to make some effort, but it isn’t easy.”

Salem gives him a sympathetic smile.

“I’m sorry she’s the way she is.”

Caleb shrugs. “Don’t be, she could change. Anyway,” he taps Seda on the head, “are you ready to go?”

“Yeah! Can we go to Target? There’s a new princess toy I want and—”

“I’ll think about it.”

To me, Salem whispers, “He’s going to stop. He’s a sucker for whatever she wants.”

“Hey,” Caleb chortles, “I heard that.”

“Well, it’s true.” Salem lets her hair down from the bun she had it in, and I must be a fucking pervert because even her hair turns me on, swaying around her shoulders.

Or maybe it’s just that I really need to get laid.

Six years is a long time to be celibate, but honestly it didn’t seem so bad until I saw her again. Now, I’m horny twenty-four-seven. Going to job sites with a boner is kind of awkward and hard to explain.

“I’ll go get her bag so you can be on your way.”

“I already got it. Georgia let me in, and I wanted to say bye to your mom anyway.”

“Oh, okay.” She bends down and opens her arms up to Seda. “Bye then, my little munchkin.”

Seda dives into her, wrapping her arms around Salem’s shoulders. “I love you, Mommy. I’m gonna miss you so much.”

Salem lets her go and holds her fingers up. “How much is so much? This much?”

“No, more!” Seda giggles. “Like this much.” She opens her arms wide.

Salem pulls her into a hug again, burying her face in Seda’s neck. “I love you, baby girl.”

“Love you too, Mommy. Now let me go. You’re squishing me.”

Salem releases her, standing back up. “You guys better go so you miss traffic.”

Caleb rolls his eyes. “There’s always traffic.”

She laughs. “This is true.”

Crouching down, I say to Seda, “Be good. I hope you can come back soon.”

She nods eagerly. “I want to go in the treehouse again. That was fun.”

“When you come back I promise you can play in the treehouse as much as you want.”

“Awesome! Thanks, Dad!”

I don’t expect a hug goodbye from her, but she wraps her little arms around my neck and squeezes me.

Fuck, I’m getting choked up.

With the goodbyes said, Caleb loads her in the car with Salem and I watching from the sidewalk when he backs out and leaves. He gives a honk of his horn before the car disappears from view.