The Dad Next Door. C.J. Carmichael

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СКАЧАТЬ a shaky breath. This was okay. Tory wasn’t falling apart. She couldn’t, either. “What do you like the best?”

      Before the little girl could answer, the doorbell rang.

      “That’s prob’ly my dad.” The smile on Tory’s face said everything about her feelings for her father. She slid off the stool and ran for the front door.

      Allison waited in the kitchen. She felt awkward facing Gavin after Tory’s revelations. No wonder he looked so tired and sad all the time. What did you say to someone who had lost a child? What could you possibly say?

       CHAPTER FOUR

      AS SOON AS HE SAW his daughter, Gavin felt better. Tory’s mouth and hands were smeared with chocolate. She actually looked happy. “We made chocolate chips, Daddy.”

      “Is that why it smells so great in here?”

      “Sorry I couldn’t get to the door,” Allison called from the back of the house. “Come on through to the kitchen.”

      He swung Tory up onto his shoulders, then followed the sound of Allison’s voice. Her house was a lot smaller than his and it only took a few steps to arrive in the kitchen, where Allison was removing a tray from the oven. She slid the hot cookies onto wire racks, then nodded toward a previous batch.

      “Help yourself.”

      She glanced at him for only an instant, but it was long enough for him to realize that somehow she knew about Samantha. He’d seen that look, a mixture of kindness and sorrow and discomfort, too often not to recognize it. Tory must have said something.

      He took her up on the offer of a cookie, but didn’t taste a thing as he bit into it. Hoping to distract himself, he checked out the room.

      It was decorated in French country style. The focal point was an amazing copper hood over a stove that looked as if it belonged to another era. The counters were butcher block and a beautiful cream farmhouse sink was inlaid into the surface.

      A kitchen like this would be perfect for the cottage he was designing right now. Not to mention for his own house.

      Should he reconsider hiring Allison to help with the decorating? “Your kitchen is beautiful.”

      “Thanks. I redid it when I bought the place.”

      “Did you do all the design work yourself?”

      She nodded.

      “Our kitchen could use some freshening up. In fact, the whole house is in need of paint, window coverings and carpets.”

      “If you’re thinking of hiring someone to consult on the project, I’d be glad to show you my portfolio.” She hesitated, seeming to sense his reluctance. “Or I can recommend someone from North Conway if you’d prefer.”

      “If I was going to hire anyone, it would be you.” But he still wasn’t sure where he wanted to draw the line with his neighbor. Tory liked her, he liked her…But somehow this all seemed too easy. “I wouldn’t want to impose. You seemed busy at the store.”

      “Actually, I have some spare time in my schedule since I just canceled a three-week holiday.”

      For the wedding and the honeymoon, he realized. He wondered what had happened to make them call off the wedding. Was Allison heartbroken about it? If so, she was doing a good job of hiding her pain.

      “Will you make my room pretty?” Tory asked from her perch on his shoulders. “Daddy said we were going to paint it.”

      “I’d love to help you with that, Tory.” As if sensing Gavin’s doubts, she added, “You wouldn’t have to pay me. I’d do it for fun.”

      “Of course I’ll pay you.” He realized he was committed now. And maybe it was for the best. He hadn’t even managed to unpack on his own.

      “Well, squirt.” He pulled on Tory’s legs. “I think it’s time we started that movie.”

      “Can we watch it here?”

      He didn’t blame Tory for wanting to stay. He did, too. “Allison’s probably seen Mary Poppins before.”

      “That’s always fun to watch. Why don’t you bring the movie over? I’ll make popcorn.”

      Popcorn was the final straw. “Pleeease, Daddy?” Tory pleaded, and Gavin couldn’t resist.

      “Okay. I’ll run home and get the DVD.” He lifted Tory off his shoulders and settled her on a stool. By the time he returned, Allison was scooping popcorn into three paper bags with Tory’s help.

      “Just like the theater, Daddy.”

      Allison’s family room was wonderfully cozy for watching movies, with an overstuffed sofa and lots of cushions and blankets. Gavin was reminded of the show window at her store.

      “Can I sit in the middle?” Tory plopped herself onto one of the down-stuffed cushions, and he and Allison settled themselves on either side.

      By the time she’d finished her popcorn, though, Tory was getting sleepy. She settled her head on a pillow on her father’s lap and Allison covered her with a light blanket.

      The movie was only half over when Tory fell asleep. Gavin stroked her fine hair, then smiled at Allison. “She’s down for the count.”

      Allison looked at him solemnly. In her eyes he saw the same compassion he’d glimpsed earlier.

      “Tory told me about her sister today. I’m really sorry, Gavin.”

      He was relieved she knew. And glad he hadn’t been the one to have to tell her. “It’s been hard on her.”

      “She told me they were twins.”

      “Yeah. Samantha was the firstborn. It really seemed to make a difference with their personalities. From day one, Sam led the way for her sister. Tory’s been lost without her.”

      “There was a set of twins in my grade at school, and they were amazingly close.”

      “That was Sam and Tory. Sam was very protective. She seemed to know what her sister wanted better than Tory knew herself.”

      “Is that why Tory’s so hesitant about decisions? I thought she was just shy.”

      “She wasn’t acting shy tonight.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his daughter so enthusiastic, so happy, so…alive.

      “That’s true.”

      “I’m sorry we took over your evening.”

      “It’s been great. Honestly. Tory’s a real sweetie.”

      “It’s been a while since I’ve seen her this happy,” Gavin admitted. “Even before Sam’s accident, she was the quiet one. Maybe things would have been different if she’d had her mother.”

      He СКАЧАТЬ