The Daddy Dilemma. Kate Denton

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      Her eyes flashed. “Don’t patronize me. You can take your club and stuff it.”

      Surprisingly Gordon laughed and in spite of herself, Mackie did, too.

      He put his hands on her arms. “How about a compromise?”

      She eyed him suspiciously, stepping back. “What kind of compromise?”

      “If I leave, you’re going to have the same situation as last night—Ashley in a strange place with a strange person. Most likely being pretty vocal about not liking the situation. Since Beth won’t be here for hours, come home with me so I can shower and shave and Ashley can have some time in familiar surroundings. Then we’ll get back over here by midafternoon. Deal?” He stuck out his hand for a shake.

      Mackie thought for a moment, then accepted his offer. His touch was warm, his long fingers wrapping around her own. This was not at all like a business handshake, more of a caress. Uncomfortable, she pulled free, then excused herself. “OK, Mr. Galloway, I’ll be ready to leave in a half hour.”

      “Do you think you could call me Gordon? This Mr. stuff is getting pretty tiresome.”

      “All right then...Gordon.”

      

      The neighborhood was beautiful with its wide curvy streets and stately old homes. The St. Augustine grass favored in Dallas now lay in a dormant strawlike phase, but the live oaks were vigorously holding on to their rich greens and the hearty pansies added a flash of color to the oversize lawns.

      Gordon’s house was a two-story of brick and Austin stone showcased nicely by landscaped grounds and imposing trees. It was charming, warm and inviting.

      They parked at the curb and Mackie followed Gordon and Ashley up a brick path to the front door. Still balancing Ashley in his arms, Gordon unlocked the door and motioned Mackie inside.

      A tortoiseshell cat came padding down the staircase to check out the group. As Mackie shed her jacket and purse and deposited them on a coat tree, the cat circled her ankles. “And who is this?” Mackie reached down to stroke the animal who responded with a loud purr.

      “Cleo. She likes you already because you’re older than fifteen months and haven’t tried to pick her up by the tail. Poor thing is accustomed to being chased, teased and manhandled as only a toddler can do. Half my waking hours are spent protecting her from Ash’s clutches.”

      He escorted Mackie into a large family room, with French doors leading to a patio and pool area. Depositing his daughter on the sofa, he took off her coat and bonnet. “Will you watch Ash while I clean myself up?”

      “Sure.” Mackie cast a wary glance at the toddler as Gordon left the room. “Go easy on me,” she implored the child who had eased off her perch and was busily ripping pages from a magazine.

      He stuck his head back in. “Put on a Barney video and she’ll be putty in your hands.”

      Grateful for the hint, Mackie did just that. Ashley got back up beside her on the couch mesmerized by the purple dinosaur on the television. Mackie sat watching Barney for the first time in her life and then, entranced, watched Ashley swaying to the music and clapping her hands enthusiastically.

      In a few minutes, Gordon reappeared in jeans and a jacquard-weave sweater, his hair damp from his shower. “Now to get Ash ready,” he announced. “Or would you like to be the one to give her a bath?”

      “Funny man,” Mackie answered. “I’ll just wait here for the two of you.”

      

      At Gordon’s suggestion, they agreed to pass the time till Beth’s scheduled appearance tending to weekend errands. First picking up photographs at the camera shop, then a visit to an open-air mall to purchase shoes for Ashley, after that a stop at the pet store to buy cat food for Cleo.

      It wasn’t yet one o’clock but Mackie was ready for a break. This routine was daunting. She stretched within the confines of her seat belt.

      “Bored?” Gordon asked.

      “More awed than bored. And maybe a tiny bit fatigued. I do these same sorts of chores every Saturday, but a child definitely adds a...um...a new dimension.” She glanced at Ashley in her car seat punching the buttons of a toy mobile telephone, causing a racket of beeps and bells.

      “‘New dimension.’ That’s a diplomatic turn of phrase. You mean new dimensions like packing the car safari-style with toys, snacks, diapers, what have you... then buckling her in a car seat, arriving at your destination, unbuckling, getting out strollers, putting back strollers...whew, makes me tired just to think of it.” He grinned. “If I didn’t love having her with me so much, I’d give in to exhaustion myself.” Glancing at his watch, he said, “It’s lunchtime. What say we grab a bite somewhere? Preferably a place where we can order something speedy. Ash has a short attention span in restaurants.”

      “Sounds good. Do you have a restaurant in mind?”

      He thought for a moment. “There’s an Italian place in Highland Park Village where we can dine alfresco. She likes that.”

      The day was crisp but not cold, perfect weather for eating outside. After getting a table and a high chair for Ashley, they ordered salads and pizza.

      “Who takes care of Ashley while you work?” Mackie asked.

      “A part-time nanny. I have an arrangement with a wonderful lady who comes to the house three days a week. She adores Ashley and vice versa.”

      “And the other two work days?”

      “I don’t have classes then so I take care of her myself.”

      “That doesn’t leave much time for a social life, or for going out.”

      He raised an eyebrow. “Fishing for some tidbit to use against me? Like my admitting to having a different woman over every night?”

      “It was a simple observation,” Mackie said grumpily. “Next you’ll be accusing me of taping our conversations for evidence.”

      “Sorry. But it’s hard not to be paranoid. You and I do have conflicting interests.”

      “Believe it or not, I care about Ashley’s welfare, too.”

      “If you did, you’d be fighting for me. For a family rights champion, you’re on the wrong side in this one, Mackie. That woman—”

      Mackie held up a hand. “—is someone who deserves a second chance. She’s really turning her life around—counseling, college courses, a hostess job at Café Maurice, even joined a church—”

      “Gee, a regular saint. Probably be selected Dallas Mother of the Year,” Gordon sniped.

      “Why don’t we just focus on our salads instead of on the case?”

      Both were silent for a time, then the tension was lifted by Ashley, who began acting like a little coquette. First flirting with the man at the adjoining table, grinning every time he looked her way, then with the waiter whom she cast her eyes at while trying to heist pencils from СКАЧАТЬ