Free I Love You Twice (Falling For Him Contemporary Romance Series Book 7) by Jessica Gray Page A

with Happy in tow, she’d have to run, crawl, or cross the sandboxes scattered around the lake. Heels were definitely not an option. Not at this point in her life, anyway! She compensated by picking flat sandals in matching colors to her outfits. Hence today’s bright red sandals.
    Dean’s eyes widened when he saw Melissa and he almost let out a loud whistle of appreciation. “Wow! You’re beautiful!” When she’s near enough, he gave her a whirl and then whispered into her ear, “You’re torturing me with your dress. It’ll take all my determination not to rip it off you.”
    Melissa giggled. Before she could respond, Happy came running from the kitchen, “Hello Dean.” She threw herself right into his arms, her little hands up in the air, demanding “Now me.”
    Dean laughed, and released her mother, “Of course, now it’s your turn.” He lifted her up in his arms and then proceeded to turn them both about several times.
    Happy screamed with laughter, and every time he stopped and threw her up into the air, she screamed a bit louder and demanded, “Want more. Want more.”
    Melissa watched, amazed at how good those two were together. Happy was truly living up to her name and smiled at almost everyone. She was used to becoming the apple of everyone’s eye, especially her “Adopted” family; but never once had Happy become so absorbed with one person, like she had with Dean.
    It was as if she shared the feelings of her mother and had decided that Dean would make an excellent dad. Dad… Thinking about that, Melissa’s heart grew warm and soft. Would Dean not only be her love, but also a beloved dad to Happy?
    Dean turned towards Grandma Annie and offered, “Mrs. Olsen, I’ll bring Melissa and Happy back around 8 o’clock.”
    “Please, call me Annie.”
    “Ok. Mrs. … Annie.”
    “Will the party be over by 8 o’clock?” Annie asked.
    “No, it’s just that my sister wants to go to dancing to a club outside Topeka. Not exactly a place for a three-year old!”
    Grandma looked warmly at Dean and then at Melissa, “So why don’t you lovebirds drop Happy off with me and go to the club with your sister?”
    Melissa rushed over to give Grandma a hug, “You sure? Because you’ve been working so much lately and I don’t ever want to burden you.”
    Grandma answered with a smile, “Happy is never a burden. And I expect her to sleep early after an exciting day out.”
    Dean smiled at the elderly woman, “Thank you, Annie.”
    After making sure she had everything she might need for Happy, Melissa told him she was ready to go. Dean carried a laughing little girl, followed closely by her beautiful momma, out into the sunshine and off they went.
     

Chapter 15
     
    At Dean’s place, they climbed from the car. He insisted to open the doors first for Melissa and then for her daughter. Melissa loved those little details. He showed so much consideration for her. Always.
    Happy immediately demanded to be put down and rushed towards the large garden area, where she chased the birds and butterflies.
    Samantha and her boyfriend Craig already waited on them on the porch overlooking the lake. She came running, throwing herself into  Dean’s arms as she gave him a big hug and kiss. “Dean!”
    “Samantha, you look fantastic.”
    He was right. His sister looked gorgeous and even better in person than in the magazine pictures. She was beautiful, no doubt. But there was something else, her cheerfulness and an authenticity Melissa hadn’t expected. Listening on as Samantha hastily filled her brother in on her latest activities, she added fun and outgoing to her list of attributes.
    Melissa watched her closely and could feel a nagging emotion. I’m jealous! Not because this woman posed a romantic threat, but because she noticed how close Dean and Samantha were. They shared a bond that was intimate and easy and she was jealous that Samantha had something she’d never been able to find. A place in a close knit