Her Texas Family by Jill Lynn Page B

called her parents or sister for a ride home from school. She hadn’t found one of her girlfriends and bummed a ride. Lucy had walked. Granted, it had been only a few miles to get home, but that had been the beginning for her.
    No more looking for a prince when she could rescue herself.
    And second, she’d tossed out serious (not that she’d ever had an extra supply in that department) and stuck to fun. She hung with groups of friends and even went to prom that year with a bunch of people. Guys. Girls. Everyone knew her. Most loved her. She loved back. Simple. Easy. No mess to clean up when she went through life with the objective of having fun.
    â€œMs. Lucy?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œThis really is the best day ever.”
    The contented sigh that came from the backseat wrapped around Lucy. Good thing she didn’t resist getting involved with people in general, just dating relationships. Because she feared she’d already lost her heart to the adorable five-year-old in the rearview mirror.

Chapter Five
    H e missed his daughter.
    Graham was a big sap, and even one more hour without Mattie felt like a year. Pathetic would be a good word to describe him right now. Even though Mattie was likely having a ton more fun with Lucy at dance and now going to get ice cream, he wanted her here. He wanted to look across his desk and see her at the credenza in the corner where she kept her art supplies and liked to color. He was selfish, that was what he was.
    And he was getting nothing done.
    With time to himself, his workload should be dwindling. But since Lucy and Mattie had left, he’d only dealt with a few charts and organized his pens. Who didn’t want to claim an accomplishment like that for their Saturday?
    He wanted to ask Mattie about class. Sure, he’d got some answers from Lucy, but he wanted to hear from his daughter.
    Graham checked his watch. Lucy had texted only a few minutes ago that they were going for ice cream. He could go meet them. But that would be overprotective of him. Which he wasn’t. He was more...curious. Another good word.
    He grabbed his keys.
    If he happened to be at the same place as them, nobody could fault him for that. And Graham knew just where his daughter would want to go.
    * * *
    Lucy judged the ice cream places in town by the level of excitement coming from the backseat. Clear River, a red storefront that boasted bakery, ice cream and deli signs, garnered the most response, so Lucy found a parking spot, and she and Mattie walked the short distance. If the smell of sugar and cinnamon that greeted them when Lucy opened the door was any indication, Mattie had impeccable taste.
    Red booths with white tables lined the space, and a curved glass display case held mouthwatering treats with the menu hanging behind. When it was their turn to order, Mattie still hadn’t decided which flavor to choose, so Lucy ordered first.
    â€œI’ll have a double-scoop cone. Chocolate peanut butter cup, strawberry cheesecake and... Let’s make that a triple. One scoop of caramel turtle fudge, too.”
    She felt a tug on her arm. “Can I have that many scoops?”
    Lucy imagined her answer should be no, but she didn’t know why. “Go for it.”
    Mattie told Lucy the flavors she wanted and Lucy conveyed the order to the person behind the counter. She paid and they scanned the place for a seat. Once they grabbed a booth and slid in, Lucy tasted her ice cream.
    â€œMattie, why didn’t you tell me this ice cream was amazing?”
    The girl’s small shoulders lifted. “I kind of did.” She gave a shy smile and took a lick of chocolate.
    True. She had squealed.
    Lucy had thought no one could top Josh & John’s—her favorite Colorado Springs ice cream—but she might be wrong. She’d probably need to return to Clear River and taste all of their homemade ice cream before she could make a truly informed decision.
    Mattie