Free A Suitable Wife: A Sweetwater Springs Novel by Carol Burnside, Emily Sewell, Kim Killion Page B

humidity coupled with summertime temperatures made jogging a health hazard. Even with the stroller’s canopy shading her and a sippy cup of water, Lorelei’s face was damp with perspiration.
    “Poor baby.” He leaned in to buss her cheek.
    She chortled and kicked her feet against the stroller. “Kiss me, kiss me.”
    “That’s right, I did. And now I’m ready to go back. How about you?”
    Her head bobbed up and down. “Go home, Daddy.”
    “You got it.” He made sure she still had water and proceeded at a walk, steering the stroller toward home while finishing off his bottle of water.
    A half-hour later, his mood had been considerably improved with a cool shower. He chose lightweight linen slacks and a pale blue designer T-shirt so he could be relatively cool without looking too casual.
    He stared at himself in the mirror, really looking for the first time in so long he couldn’t remember. Thirty-two wasn’t old. How had he gotten so serious-looking, lost that youthful look of eager expectation? Had it happened after his parents died together in a freak automobile accident, leaving his dad’s parents to finish raising a teenager? Or was it after his grandparents had passed on within two years of each other? First Gramps, then Gran. He’d been one year out of college when she’d passed. Maybe it had been creeping up on him for years. If so, Jasmine’s deception and betrayal had settled it firmly around his shoulders like a shroud.
    Whatever the cause, he didn’t like it. Though the face in the mirror had his features, the man staring back was a stranger.
    * * *
    A t the Sunrise Grill, they were shown to their booth by a smiling hostess. Rosie looked positively cheerful in a butter yellow sundress and white sandals. Her hair, styled in an intricate braid, shone even redder than usual against the light fabric.
    Sam paused in the act of buckling Lorelei into a high chair. “You look really nice in that dress.”
    Really nice? That was the best compliment he could manage? Too bad they couldn’t relax and be old friends enjoying a meal together, no roles to play. He’d always enjoyed Rosie’s company.
    Rosie’s startled gaze bounced off his. A light flush highlighted her cheeks, and suddenly he was glad he’d caused it.
    “This ol’ thing? I should toss it, but it’s so comfortable I can’t bring myself to do it.” She slid halfway across a pastel patterned vinyl seat which shrieked mid-80s décor.
    He turned his attention back to the task at hand. “I know how that is. Jasmine hated it when I went running because I didn’t wear the latest thing to hit the sportswear market.”
    Now that he had Lorelei strapped in, he bent to fasten the tray on the scrubbed clean but ancient high chair.
    A giggle escaped Rosie’s lips. “I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine you . . .”
    “Yeah, me neither.” He grinned back at her, enjoying the way her face lit with humor. Lorelei slapped her hands on the tray, which sent it careening sideways. Sam caught it before it hit the floor. “I thought I had that secured.”
    “Here, let me help.” Rosie scooted to the edge and took over. “Mama has one like this at home. You pull the little knobs on either side . . .”
    He lifted his gaze from her hands to see what had stopped her in mid-sentence. Lorelei had Rosie’s face sandwiched between her tiny hands. They regarded each other like gunfighters sizing up their opponent.
    Lorelei usually regarded everyone with a wary reserve. But what was Rosie’s problem? She wasn’t making any effort to reassure Lorelei at all. Then again, Lorelei hadn’t objected to Rosie being so close.
    Suddenly the little girl grinned and kicked her feet. “Daddy, kiss Wosie,” she requested loudly, drawing attention and a few laughs from those sitting closest.
    Rosie snapped the fasteners into place and moved back in one smooth move. “Why don’t you go ahead and get her a plate before she gets cranky? I’ll wait here until you