Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 241

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Robert’s smile remained warm, but his tone left no room for argument. “Amelia entrusted Ruby to me. Naturally, I’ll be the one taking care of her.”

He reached out to take Ruby back.

Daniel sidestepped, keeping Ruby close. “I’m Amelia’s husband—her name is right next to mine on the marriage certificate. There’s no reason for her daughter to be looked after by someone else.”

Robert didn’t back down. “Mr. Campbell, if Amelia wanted you to take Ruby, she would have called you herself. She didn’t, which tells me she didn’t want to.”

“Her intentions are one thing,” Daniel shot back, “but the facts are another.”

Around them, the gym buzzed with parents and children, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls. Their little tug-of-war was drawing glances, looking more ridiculous by the second. Robert finally dropped his hand, turned to Ruby, and gave her the choice.

“Ruby, you decide. Who do you want to go with?”

Daniel’s gaze softened as he looked at her. Ruby was so much like Amelia—a tiny version, sweet and earnest. Even knowing she wasn’t his by blood, Daniel felt a fierce protectiveness and couldn’t bring himself to let go.

Ruby glanced from one man to the other, her delicate brows drawn together in a worried frown.

She’d heard stories about kids choosing between mom and dad, but never between one uncle and another.

James, standing nearby, didn’t understand a thing. He sniffled and stared up at them with wide, clueless eyes.

After a moment’s struggle, Ruby made the only decision she could think of: she’d let Mom decide. “I’ll call Mommy.”

She tapped her smartwatch. Daniel’s heart skipped—what would Amelia say this time? If she’d wanted him involved, she would’ve called. Instead, she’d rather trust some other man with her daughter than him. Then again, maybe it was just their cold war—maybe Amelia was too proud to ask for his help directly. If, and it was a big if, she said yes now, he’d let bygones be bygones.

He was a man, after all. It wouldn’t kill him to swallow his pride.

The call connected. Ruby’s clear little voice piped up, asking what to do.

Amelia paused, then answered in her calm, distant tone. “Let Uncle Robert take you.”

A smile flickered at the corner of Robert’s eyes. He scooped Ruby into his arms. “Come on, let’s get ready. The field day’s about to start.”

Daniel’s arms suddenly felt empty. A chilly draft passed between his hands and right through his chest.

His striking looks and athletic prowess quickly caught the eyes of the moms on the sidelines. More than a few found themselves a little dizzy with admiration.

The final event was the three-legged race. Daniel and James dominated, easily winning first place.

James was quiet as always, but surprisingly agile—he didn’t slow Daniel down one bit.

Ruby, on the other hand, looked a little downcast. She didn’t mind losing in a group event, but this one was all about family teams, and she’d really wanted to win. Instead, she only managed a bronze medal.

Flushed and sweaty, Daniel felt his earlier frustrations melt away. He sauntered up to Robert, gold medal swinging smugly from his neck.

“This gold medal’s got some real heft. How’s that bronze feeling? Not too light, I hope.”

Ruby pouted, but Robert just pointed up at the red banner strung across the gym: *Friendship first, victory second. Bronze is something to be proud of.*

Daniel snorted. Only losers needed slogans like that.

He crouched down, gently pinching Ruby’s sulking cheeks. “See? If you’d picked me, that gold medal would’ve been yours.”