Read Online Waiting for You by Heather Huffman - Free Book Online

if it was excitement or nerves, but either way it was sweet. She couldn’t get over how much she liked this couple. They were too cute for words. She listened to him talk about this, that, everything and nothing as she tied balloons and curled string. She had moved on to tying balloon bouquets when she heard the rumble of Aidan’s truck. Her heart quickened, but she gave no outward sign of it.
    Gavin’s face lit up, and he left Karise alone with the balloons. He reappeared a few moments later with his son in his arms. The little boy was enthralled with the decorations, and Gavin soon had his hands full keeping them out of his charge’s mouth.
    “Hey,” Aidan greeted Karise warmly.
    Her return expression shared his warmth, even if it wasn’t effusive. “Hey.”
    “Hi.” A little girl pulled Karise’s gaze away from Aidan. With one arm wrapped firmly around Aidan’s leg, her other hand rested on her hip as she stared at Karise with an unflinching gaze. She had the distinct impression the bedazzled cowgirl hat on the girl’s head wasn’t the only thing sassy about her.
    Karise might not be able to tell what the kid thought of her, but it was obvious whose daughter she was. They shared the same pure blue eyes and dark hair, though hers was pulled into a wispy ponytail. Even their expressions were the same. Karise knelt down and regarded the girl just as evenly as she was being regarded. “Hello, Zoe.”
    “You’re pretty.”
    “Thanks. So are you.”
    “Are you going to marry my daddy?”
    Karise glanced up at Aidan, relishing the look of mortification on his face for a change. Without cracking a grin, she looked back at Zoe. “I’m not really interested in marrying anybody right now. Is it okay if your dad and I are friends, though?”
    Zoe seemed to consider the proposition before nodding her approval.
    “Cool, because I’m new in town. I can use all the friends I can get.” She stood, looking Aidan in the eye.
    “I’ll be your friend.” There was no hesitation in the child’s voice.
    Now Karise did smile. “Thank you.”
    “Daddy got you a present.”
    “Another one? You’re going to spoil me.” She couldn’t help being curious about what was in the bag Aidan held out to her. She peeked inside and laughed, producing a straw cowgirl hat with a leather band and a turquoise accent. “I totally needed one of these.”
    “We stopped at the store to get Zoe’s, and it occurred to me that you were probably equally deprived.” He took the hat out of her hands and placed it on her head. “Much better.”
    “I mean, it’s not as amazing as Zoe’s hat, but it is pretty wonderful.” Karise tugged lightly on the brim. “What do you think, Zoe?”
    “It’s okay.” The girl was honest if nothing else.
    “I think it’s adorable.” There was a husky undertone to Aidan’s voice that sent shivers skittering down Karise’s spine.
    “Do you want to go check out the petting zoo with me?” She found herself extending a hand toward the girl, if for no other reason than to escape the father.
    “She might not want to leave my side,” Aidan warned.
    “Sure.” Zoe let go of his leg to grab hold of Karise’s fingers. The pair sauntered off together without hesitation.
    “That’s a terrifying sight,” he called out to their retreating backs.
    Karise glanced back at him and waggled her eyebrows. Let him worry. It’ll be good for him. Gavin’s laughter followed them, and Karise knew he was enjoying the situation as immensely as she was.
    The smell of the animals grew thicker the closer they got to the petting zoo. It wasn’t bad, just distinct. The larger pens housed a calf, donkeys, pigs, goats, and even an alpaca. Smaller cages held rabbits, turtles, and guinea pigs.
    “You have to help me here. I don’t know what to do,” Karise admitted.
    “What?” Zoe looked at her like she was insane.
    “I’ve never been to a petting zoo before. I’ve never even had a pet of my