“Daddy, you’re making goo-goo eyes at Miss Melanie.”

Rebecca grabbed her teddy bear and buried her face to stifle the laughter.

Jackson and Melanie broke out laughing.

“I was not.” He examined Melanie more closely. “Was I?” He winked and slammed the passenger door shut.

“Can Miss Melanie come with us to the apple festival?”

“Well, that’s up to Miss Melanie.”

Rebecca jumped up and down. “Please, will you come with us?”

“Yes, please.” He plucked a brilliant red wildflower and handed it to Melanie.

She brought it to her nose. “Ah…it smells so good. And yes, I’d love to go with you.”

Rebecca skipped down the dirt path.

Melanie smelled the flower again as she gazed at Rebecca.

Jackson took a deep breath. “I think there’s nothing more beautiful than you holding that wildflower.”

He saw the color bloom on her cheeks.

Jackson couldn’t resist any longer...she was getting into his heart.