Devon gazed out the window toward Ashley’s house for the third time that morning. He ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh. He turned away, amazed at his preoccupation with her arrival home from the hospital. He’d done everything he could. He’d purchased the milk, overseen the window repair and called Neely to let her know the cost of the tree removal. Jon had dropped off the money so he could pay the guy. The house was ready.
“Kaylee?” He listened but heard no response. “Are you hungry? Ready for lunch?” His gaze drifted back to the window when he heard a car passing on the street. A red truck. He shook his head. “Kaylee?”
His concern changed from the window to his daughter. He headed down the hall to the staircase and called again. This time he heard a clump. In a moment, Kaylee appeared at the head of the stairs.
“What?”
“That’s my question. What are you doing?”
She shrugged.
The shrug was accompanied by a guilty look, and instead of asking, he climbed the stairs and took a few steps from the landing. “Are you hungry?”
She nodded and slipped past him, her foot on the first stair.
Devon reached out and put his arm around her shoulder. “Hold on.”
She stood in place without looking at him.
His mind flew from one possibility to the other. “What were you doing?”
“Nothing.”
Nothing didn’t cause her reaction. “Show me?” His worst thought was playing with matches. She’d never done that, and he only had a couple boxes in the house for lighting candles.
She dragged along beside him, and when he stepped into the room, he stopped inside the door. His fear washed away, replaced by sadness. A photo album lay open on the floor, an album he knew held memories of happier days. Gina’s pregnancy and early pictures of Kaylee. “You’re looking at old pictures.”
He knew she’d gotten them from a bookshelf in his bedroom, and he ventured her guilt was being in his room without asking. Reprimanding her wasn’t his priority. His greatest concern was the awareness that their separated lives today bothered her as much as it did him. She wasn’t even five, and he hadn’t considered how much the divorce may have affected her.
Devon picked up the album and set it on her bed, then lifted her and placed her beside it. He joined her and opened the cover. “Did you enjoy the pictures?”
She nodded and looked at him for the first time, almost as if she was surprised he hadn’t been upset with her. When she looked back at the album, she turned a couple of pages and pointed. “Was that me?”
Her finger rested on the photo of Gina with her belly protruding beneath a light green blouse.
He chuckled. “It sure was. You arrived about a month later, and let us know you were happy to be in the world.”
“I did?” Her gaze shot to his. “Did I talk?”
“Nope. You let out a howl. A happy howl.”
Kaylee giggled and turned a few more pages. “And this was me when I was a baby.”
Devon lowered his gaze to the row of photographs, close-ups of Kaylee encircled in a pink blanket, Kaylee in his arms and one in her mother’s arms. Those days wrapped around him with good memories that had faded into despair as time passed.
Weighted with the recollections, he enfolded Kaylee in his arms and lifted her into his lap. “We can take the pictures downstairs, okay?”
A faint smile curved her lips. “I shouldn’t go into your bedroom unless I ask.” She tilted her head.
He fought back a grin. “Right.” He rose with her in his arms and hoisted her into a safe one-armed position before grabbing the album. “And now, how about lunch?”
“Pizza.”
This time he chuckled without restraint. “Not pizza, but something as good. Grilled cheese.”
“Yummy.” She ran her tongue over her lips, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, precious.” And she was. He held her close as he traversed the stairs and headed into the kitchen. He lowered her to the floor, and when he did, she hurried to the refrigerator and opened the door. “Can I have milk?”
“Sure can.” He set the album on a chair and pulled a glass from the cabinet, filled it with her drink and proceeded to make the sandwiches. He liked them, too.
As they ate, he glanced at the wall clock, his thoughts drifting again to the white house with the new picture window. He’d been upstairs for a while looking at the photographs, and now he wondered.
When he rose to set his dish into the sink, his curiosity got the better of him, and he strolled into the living room and checked across the street. A car sat in the driveway, and his pulse skipped. He turned away, irritated at his irrational emotions, and returned to the kitchen.
Kaylee had ripped off some of the crust and was eating the last of her sandwich. When she finished, she pushed her saucer away before taking a long drink of milk. Before she set down the glass, she grinned at him. “Milk’s good with cookies.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle, happy for the distraction. “One.”
A half frown knitted her brow. “Okay.”
He reached into the bread box where he’d slipped a package of chocolate chip cookies and handed her one. “When you’re done, we can go outside. What do you say?”
She nodded and proceeded to dunk her cookie into the glass. She nearly lost it in the liquid, but she snatched it out and bit. “Good.”
He waited while she entertained herself with the cookie-dunking, and when she finished, he rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, knowing he probably wouldn’t see Ashley anyway.
Outside, the afternoon sun warmed his back as he sat on the porch watching Kaylee search for ladybugs in the flowers. She’d found one once and she seemed to think she’d find more. She never did. Though he kept one eye on her, his glances aimed down the street. Feeling antsy, he rose and refocused. “Let’s get your bike and I’ll walk alongside you.”
Her head jerked up, and the ladybugs took a backseat to the walk idea. They rounded the house and located her bike equipped with training wheels in the garage. She jumped on and pedaled down the driveway, her legs soon too long for its small size. She’d grown up before his eyes.
The same old ache rolled down his back. He didn’t want to miss seeing his daughter grow, and even more, he worried about who was raising her. Gina or her sister, Renee. His last conversation with Gina left him feeling edgy. Something in her voice sounded different. He couldn’t put his finger on his concern, but it slipped into his subconscious and wouldn’t let go. The last thing he wanted to do was grill his daughter, but times rose when he prayed she’d reveal something that would help him understand what bothered him.
Devon hurried to follow Kaylee as she turned on to the sidewalk, and he was glad when she went left, which meant they would be heading toward Ashley’s house. As he hurried to catch up to Kaylee, he heard someone call his name. He looked across the street to see Neely waving to him from the driveway. Behind her, Joey appeared from the side of the house.
When the boy saw him, he grinned and toddled toward the street. Neely captured his hand to keep him from venturing into the road.
Devon’s heart jigged with the boy’s smile. He checked for traffic and then caught Kaylee’s attention and beckoned her to follow. He strode beside her as they crossed, and when he hit the sidewalk, Joey opened his arms to him.
“Hey, buddy.” Devon hoisted the toddler onto his hip. “Is your mama finally home?”
Joey’s smile broadened. “Mama’s home.” He turned and pointed toward the new window.
Devon turned to Neely. “I bet she’s happy to be here. How’s it going?”
“She’s nervous, but we all said we’d help as much as we can.” She gave a shrug. “I tried to get her to stay at Dad’s, but she’s determined to be here, so...”
“Ashley? Determined?” Devon gave a chuckle. “The little time I’ve known her, it doesn’t surprise me.”
Neely’s face brightened. “Me neither. My sister is strong willed.” She gestured toward the door. “Would you like to stop in and say hi? I’m sure she’d like to see you.”
He turned toward Kaylee. “What do you say?” A scowl had grown on her face, and he realized her attention was pinned on Joey. “This is Joey, Kaylee. His mama just got home from the hospital. She—”
“Why are you holding him?” Her scowl deepened.
Her reaction surprised him. Devon gave Joey a little squeeze and lowered him to the ground. “There you go, big boy.”
Joey tilted his head upward. “I’m a big boy.” He wandered closer to Kaylee and studied her bicycle. “Ride?”
Kaylee gave him a look. “No. This is my bike.”
Devon’s chest constricted. “Kaylee, don’t be mean. He has his own tricycle.” He’d never expected her to act rudely to Joey or anyone.
She grasped his pant leg and gave a pull. “Daddy, let’s go. You’re supposed to walk with me.”
Embarrassed, he gave a shrug. “I’d better pass on your invitation. Tell Ashley hi from me. I’ll catch her later.”
Neely nodded as if she understood. He tousled Joey’s hair, gave a wave and guided Kaylee back to the sidewalk, disappointed with her behavior as well as his hopes that she and Joey might become playmates. He didn’t know what triggered her attitude, but he had to say something to Kaylee and get to the bottom of her reaction.
* * *
Ashley watched out the window as Devon walked away. She’d hoped Neely would invite him in, but apparently she hadn’t thought to. Devon wouldn’t ask, not with his little daughter with him. She released a sigh and sank back into the recliner. The little girl had dark hair like her daddy, but other than that, she couldn’t see her well enough through the window to catch a resemblance. Mainly she noticed her scowl. Not a good sign.
Devon had offered to help out with Joey, and she’d hoped the kids might be friends, but the frown doused her hope. But she decided not to jump to conclusions. The look may have been caused by anything. Kids didn’t like not getting their way.
What difference? Life went on. She had no expectations of anything from Devon. A small seed of anticipation had settled in her chest when he’d visited in the hospital. A neighborly friend sounded like a positive step forward, but she had the Wellses next door. In a pinch, they might keep an eye on Joey. Still, she enjoyed Devon’s company except for the buzz of guilt that lingered in her brain. Though the feeling was ridiculous, her heart didn’t listen to her brain. She couldn’t control how she felt.
The yard looked strange without the big tree that shaded it, but without it, more sunlight flooded the room. Sunny days were good. She needed cheering up now. She eyed her cast, her mind flying back to that fateful day when she stepped outside, only to change a piece of her life for an irritating piece of time.
But the memory sent a surprise grin. The one good moment was looking into the eyes of the man who came to her rescue. Devon’s scruffy jaw settled into her thoughts. She liked how he looked. The whiskers made him appear rugged—strong and capable. A lumberjack type ready to fell trees to save her. But then, in truth, he would have to be tough and competent with the dangerous career he had. Her smile faded.
Outside, she watched Neely and Joey in the front yard. He had found something, and when she looked closer, she spotted him dangling a wiggling worm. Little boys were entertained by the craziest things. Her gaze lifted to Adam’s photograph on the table. He would miss all those moments as her son matured and grew. She closed her eyes, willing away the tears and searching for a smile. If only they came more easily when she thought of Adam.
Moments later, Joey’s voice piped into the living room, and she heard the door close and footsteps. She watched the archway, waiting for her sister to join her. Joey bounded in before she did, brandishing the worm.
“Look.” He stuck it close to her face.
She eyed the wiggly creature. “You found a worm.”
“Worm.” He held it closer, studying it before he lowered his hand. “Keep it.”
“No way, kiddo. That goes back outside.” Where was Adam when she needed him? She lifted her head and grinned at her sister. “Give it to auntie.”
Neely stepped back. “I don’t want that thing.” She gave her a playful frown. “He wanted to show it to you.”
“Okay, I saw it.” She eyed Joey. “Take the worm outside and put it on the ground. It has to go home.”
“Go home?” He looked thoughtful.
“Come with me, Joey.” Neely beckoned, and they returned to the backdoor.
Ashley couldn’t help but grin at her son’s antics. Adam would have loved it.
When Neely returned, Ashley asked the question that had lingered in the back of her mind. “Why didn’t you invite Devon in?”
Her sister looked surprised. “I did. I think he started to, but the little girl tugged at him to walk.” She lifted her shoulders and dropped them. “So he walked.” She slipped onto the sofa. “I think she’s a bit spoiled...or else she has a bad case of jealousy.”
The comment bewildered her. Jealous over what? “Why?”
“I suppose she didn’t like Devon’s attention to Joey.”
“Really.” Her heart sank.
“What else? The frown appeared when Joey reached toward Devon to pick him up.” She scooted back against the cushion. “He did, and I noticed her expression.”
“Hmm?” Jealousy. “Maybe it makes sense, but...” She tried to put herself in the girl’s place. Kaylee only had a few days to be with her dad, and sharing him wasn’t part of her plans. “I’d hoped she might be a friend to Joey. We don’t have a lot of kids on the block.”
“You can’t force friendship. Give them time. She may come around.”
“Maybe.” But maybe not. There was a year difference in age. She’d hoped that wouldn’t be a problem. Sadly, it meant her friendship with Devon may have to be on the non-Kaylee days. Or not at all.
The light coming through the window dimmed, and she looked out at the cloud-covered sun. Her optimism had faded as quickly as the sunny day.
* * *
Devon watched Kaylee work her puzzle and pondered how to talk with her about her behavior. He’d avoided the discussion when they left Ashley’s since her reaction had been a surprise. He wanted to learn why she’d behaved as she did. He’d tossed the topic around in his head as they walked and more since they arrived home, but he still hadn’t settled on how to approach the topic.
He’d noticed Neely’s car no longer stood in the driveway, which probably meant Ashley was alone, struggling to do things on her own. He envisioned the difficulty of handling a toddler without having two good arms and hands to use. He longed to help her but not until he could resolve the situation with Kaylee.
He shifted his thoughts back to finding the right words to begin the conversation. Without a clue, he rose and settled on the floor beside her. “You’re doing a good job.”
She nodded. “This one’s easy.”
“Maybe we should buy some harder ones since you’re growing up so fast.”
This time she tilted her head and grinned. “I am. I’m not a baby like that little boy.”
Her comment hinted at the problem and also opened the door. “Joey’s not exactly a baby. He’s a smart boy and not even a year younger than you.”
“But why did you hold him?”
A frown darted to his face, but he managed to soften it. “You didn’t like me to hold him?”
“You don’t hold me.”
Devon tousled her hair, but his heart grew heavy. “That’s because you’re so grown up, but I could, you know.” He shot up and slipped her into his arms and spun around.
Her giggle sailed to the ceiling and bounced against the walls.
Kaylee smiled so rarely in the past days, and the sound brought him peace. “See? You’re not so big I can’t. I didn’t think you wanted me to hold you.”
She hugged him around the neck. “I don’t, but you shouldn’t hold strangers.”
Her feelings became a neon sign flashing through his head. She was envious of his attention to Joey. Wasn’t he spending enough one-on-one time with her? “He’s not really a stranger to me, Kaylee. Maybe I should tell you the story why he likes me to hold him.”
After carrying her to the chair, he sat and cuddled her on his lap. “A week ago...” As he related the story of the fallen tree and Joey’s fright, her expression changed to interest. When he came to the end, he gave her a hug. “So I guess when he sees me, he feels safe because I held him when he was scared.” He brushed back her long hair and put his nose close to hers. “If you are ever afraid, I would hold you close and not let you go.”
“Really?”
“Promise.” He crossed his heart with his index finger. “Do you feel better now?”
She gave a faint shrug. “But he wasn’t afraid today.”
“No, but seeing me reminded him of when he was frightened.” He leaned back and studied her serious face. “Maybe the next time you see him you could be a little nicer. He’s a good boy and very smart.”
“Can he read?” Kaylee’s eyes searched his.
“I don’t think so. Can you?”
She nodded, a proud tilt to her chin. “I can read my letters. A. B. C. And Aunt Renee helped me with some words.”
Aunt Renee. The reference jarred him. What about Gina? He longed to ask, but he bit his tongue to keep quiet. One issue was enough for Kaylee. Her attitude toward Joey was the topic today. He gave her a hug. “I’m proud of you. Let’s get some books to help you read even more. Then when you get to school you’ll be way ahead of everyone.”
“Okay, let’s go.” She slipped off his lap and gave his hand a tug.
“Not today. Right now I need to think about dinner. Aren’t you getting hungry?”
She nodded. “Can I have some milk?”
“Sure can.” He paused, wondering if he might be expecting too much. “Here’s an idea. Let’s surprise Joey and his mom and take dinner to their house after we eat.”
She shrugged, but at least she didn’t frown.
He rose and made his way to the kitchen. After putting milk in her glass, he set the carton back inside and stared into the meat drawer. As always he had a package of ground beef. Spaghetti was one of Kaylee’s favorites. He suspected Joey liked it, too. Most kids did. If he made a pasta, he could run over a dish for their dinner tonight. He glanced at Kaylee, wondering how she’d respond this time.
He pulled the meat from the drawer, checked a cabinet for a jar of pasta sauce and came up successful. After setting them on the counter, he found an onion and dug out the frypan from beneath the stove. He liked the idea. He might even make some garlic bread with the loaf of Italian bread he’d purchased to slice to make French toast for their breakfast. A grin settled on his face as he went to work.