“Daddy.” Ashley shifted back from the doorway as her father strode in, a smile on his face.
He gave her a hug and before he could take a step, he was nearly bowled over by Joey.
“Papa.” He extended his arms, and her dad scooped him up for a bear hug.
“How’s my favorite grandson?”
Ashley always got a kick out of the question since Joey was his only grandson. “Have a seat, Dad.”
Joey squirmed to get down, and when her father lowered him to the floor, he grabbed his hand and tugged. “Come, Papa. Play.”
“Joey, let Papa sit for a minute.” Ashley motioned to a chair and then made her way to the recliner where she lifted the footrest and leaned back.
He noticed Joey’s disappointed look. “I’ll play later. Let me talk to your mama a minute.”
With his hopes not totally dampened, Joey squatted beside his toys and returned to his miniature cars.
“I’m glad you came, Dad. I miss seeing you.” She gestured toward the cast propped on the footrest. “This is maddening.”
Her dad grinned. “Patience. You’ll be back to your old self soon.”
“That’s exactly how I feel. An old self.”
Her father chuckled. “I don’t do badly for an old geezer.” He studied her a moment. “All silliness aside, can I do something for you while I’m here? Anything.”
She thought of the laundry piling up, dust bunnies under the furniture, but she’d never ask her dad. She should be doing for him not the reverse. “I’m fine. Neely helps a lot, and Devon gave me his phone number in case I needed help.”
“The firefighter.” He looked gleeful.
“That’s him.”
“So he’s still dropping by?”
“He comes by occasionally.” It seemed odd he’d just stop visiting. A chill sizzled down her arms. Her first thought was always he’d been injured in a fire or during a rescue. Hearing herself, she forced the thought away, afraid that kind of concern would always be with her.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Tell me about him. He has a job. That’s good. What about—”
“What about nothing. I have nothing to tell. Devon is a good neighbor, a caring man who’s kind to old ladies and their dogs, rescues cats from trees and brought over dinner a few days ago for Joey and me.” Heat rose on her cheeks. “Spaghetti, before you ask.”
“Then I don’t need to worry about your starving.” He leaned back as his grin faded. “Ash, I know losing Adam was horrendous. There’re no words to explain it, but it’s time you open yourself to the future. Joey needs a daddy and—”
“Dad.” The heat grew. “Don’t play matchmaker. I’m old enough to know when I’m ready to—”
“Don’t let the bad situation you had with your last boyfriend darken your spirit. It’s not easy to move ahead. But you’re too young to be alone.”
Tension knotted her spine. “I’m not alone. I have Joey, and—”
“It’s not the same, and you know it. I’m not telling you what to do, but I want you to be open.”
“I am open.”
“Look how long it took me to venture out. Everyone bugged me about getting a life. Finally I gave in and went to the seniors center. Look what’s happened. I have friends and interests. I just came from there before I showed up here. I had lunch and then I played Parcheesi.”
She noticed the sly look on his face. “You won, didn’t you?”
“I did. Alice was right on my tail, but she broke her blockade and I slipped past her.”
“Alice. That’s your lady friend, the one who invites you to church.”
He grinned. “She’s the one. A lovely Christian woman, and that’s what you need, Ashley. A good Christian man to be a daddy to my favorite grandson.”
Joey heard him and blotted to his side. “Favorite.” He patted his chest.
“You are.” He gave Joey a kiss on the cheek.
“Come.” Joey beckoned to him. “Play, Papa.”
Her father gave a shrug. “I guess I’d better. I promised.” He rose and settled beside Joey on the floor.
Ashley took a deep breath, grateful Joey had ended the conversation. How could she explain the fears she experienced and the guilt she felt? He wouldn’t understand. She leaned against the cushion and rolled her shoulders, hoping to relieve the tension. Her dad had no idea how the same thoughts filled her mind as she sat there, weighted down with the stupid cast. Helpless. Sometimes hopeless.
Joey giggled and her dad slapped his leg with a big guffaw. She hadn’t seen the reason for the laughter, but she loved watching her dad and Joey interact. Joey needed a male role model in his life.
The doorbell jangled, and before she could grab her crutches, her father jumped up.
“Let me get that.” He strode to the door and pulled it open, then glanced at her before turning back to the visitor. “You don’t happen to be the neighbor who rescued my daughter?”
The heat that had risen to her face earlier returned, rolling up her neck and sizzling her cheeks. “Devon, come in.” Seeing him filled her with pleasure, and the sensation unsettled her.
He stuck out his hand. “I am, sir. I’m Devon Murphy.”
“Fred Andrews.” He grasped Devon’s palm and shook. “I’m Ashley’s dad. Come in, like she said.” He stepped back.
Devon moved closer, glancing at her, then her dad. “Sorry to interrupt, but—”
“No interruption at all. I’m in a hot game of car races with my grandson, and Ashley’s just sitting there.” He motioned Devon to the chair and moved closer to Joey’s cars.
“I can’t really sit. I dropped by to see if you needed anything from the grocery store. I’m on my way, and thought I’d stop and ask.” He didn’t draw nearer.
Addled by her reaction to seeing him, Ashley tried to act casual. Then seeing her father’s sly grin, she wanted to scream. She wished she could will her cheeks to cool down. “I can’t think of anything, Devon. That’s so nice of you to stop.”
“Ice cream, Mama.” Joey scrambled from the floor and hurried to Devon. “Ice cream.”
Devon picked him up and gave him a squeeze. “We’d better check with your mama.” He looked at her, his eyebrow arched, waiting for her answer.
“Okay, ice cream, and we can probably use more milk, too, if you don’t mind.” She couldn’t help but see her father’s gleeful expression.
“Got it.” Devon lowered Joey to the floor. “How about this, pal? I’ll make you a fancy ice cream treat later. Did you ever have a banana split?”
“Split?” He looked quizzically at Devon and then turned. “Mama. Did I have a split?”
“I don’t think you’ve had one, sweetie. It’s bananas with ice cream and—”
“’Nanas and ice cream. Yummy.” He clapped his hands together. “Papa, a split?”
“Not for me, Joey. I have to get home, but you and your mom will enjoy it.”
Devon held up his hand. “Please, don’t leave on my account.”
“Not at all. I just stopped by to check on Ashley, and my grandson tricked me into playing race cars.”
“Zoom.” Joey’s sound effect accompanied his imaginary car sailing through the air.
“Give me a hug, boy.” Fred leaned forward and gave Joey another bear hug, then walked over and kissed Ashley’s cheek. “I’ll leave you in this man’s capable hands.”
Before Devon could protest, Fred headed for the door.
With his hand on the knob, he paused. “Nice to meet you, Devon. I appreciate your help here. So does my daughter. Right, sweetheart?” He gave her another silly look and opened the door. “Enjoy the banana splits.”
Devon watched him go, speechless, and Ashley wanted to muzzle her dad. He played matchmaker no matter what she said.
“Don’t pay attention to him, Devon. Dad’s a joker.” She hoped she sounded jovial.
“I like him. He seems like a great father.” He gazed at Joey, and Ashley wondered what he was thinking. “How are you doing? Getting around better?”
She told him the progress she’d made the past few days. She’d learned a few tricks to help her survive. He listened with interest, and she wondered if he was relieved that he didn’t have to keep track of her as he seemed to be doing.
“I’m glad to hear you’re doing better. That’s good news.” He took a couple steps back. “I’d better get to the store.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out his keys.
“Thanks for checking on the groceries. You’re thoughtful as always.” She eased her back against the chair, hoping he couldn’t tell she was flustered.
“You’re doing me a favor. I should say Joey is. I’ve been yearning for a banana split. I’ll be back after dinner. Okay?”
Though she wanted to decline, she couldn’t. She’d missed his company. “Sounds good. Neely brought over dinner, so we’re in good shape.”
He nodded and pulled open the door. “Milk and ice cream. That’s all?”
“That’s it.” She managed a pleasant look, willing away her jitters. She watched him step outside, then close the door.
She sat thinking about her father’s lecture and, of all things, Devon’s appearance. She could almost hear her father’s mind planning how to encourage the relationship. Truth was, he didn’t have to. Her own thoughts headed in the same direction even when she was determined to thwart them.
A relationship with Devon would never work.
* * *
Devon swallowed the last of his sandwich. Nothing fancy when he was alone. Grilled cheese and tomato soup. He’d grown up with that for lunch, and he loved it. At the firehouse, he ate bigger meals. Too much usually. But he enjoyed it, mainly because he didn’t have to cook.
He rinsed the bowl and plate, shoved them into the dishwasher and rubbed his belly. Great meal and still enough room for that banana split.
As he gathered the ingredients for dessert, he kept thinking about Ashley. She appeared more comfortable on the crutches and had learned to balance on her good leg while keeping the other off the floor and that gave her one arm. Knowing she had figured out how to manage some tasks on her own made him less concerned.
Still, he liked being there for her. He loved Joey’s happy face. The boy adored him, and that always made him feel good. He wished Kaylee smiled more. She’d become more serious, less carefree, and she was so young. He juggled reasons—the broken home, living at her aunt’s house and missing him. He missed her more than he could say. Teaching her skills, watching her grow and hugging her at night, those things were lost to him except for the few days she spent with him for visitation. Visitation sounded like company, not his child. Divorce was a horrible thing. Everyone was hurt one way or the other.
On one hand, he knew his life was easier without having to find someone to care for Kaylee when he worked, but the inconvenience didn’t warm his heart. What did warm it was Kaylee. He drew up his shoulders, rousing the stamina to continue his life feeling half-empty. Sometimes more than half. He came home to an empty house, no fragrance of perfume or dinner on the stove, no voice greeting him or lips touching his.
Devon rapped his knuckles against the kitchen counter. Those thoughts got him nowhere but depressed. Leaning against the fridge, he rubbed his temple. He couldn’t change life. Or could he? He eased his back from the door and opened it, pulling out the ice cream and milk. Once in the paper sack, he turned off the light and made his way to the front door. He hoped the outside air would blow away his sad thoughts.
Seeing a sliver of moon as he walked to Ashley’s reminded him that Kaylee could see the same moon. She wasn’t far away. The majesty of the evening sky flooded him, and he lifted a prayer that the Lord forgive him for his negligence in giving Kaylee a strong faith base. He promised that would change. Maybe his little girl would learn to be happy again.
When he arrived, Devon rang the bell and tried the knob. The door opened, so he called in and heard Ashley’s welcoming voice. He widened the entry and strode inside. “I hope you didn’t need this milk for dinner. I hadn’t thought.”
“We did fine. It’s a backup.” She grinned from her chair. Joey gave him a pleading look, his hand clutching a ball. “Play.”
Devon held up the grocery bag. “Do you want to play or have ice cream?”
Joey dropped the ball, and it bounced across the room.
“That answer was clear.” He winked at Ashley and headed toward the kitchen with Joey on his heels.
After slipping the milk into the fridge, he popped the Sanders hot fudge into the microwave for thrity seconds, located dessert bowls and went to work—sliced bananas, large dips of ice cream and the warm hot fudge. He sprinkled peanuts on top of Ashley’s and his portion, then shook the canned whipped cream, gave a squirt to all three sundaes and added a cherry on top of each.
Joey watched from his side, standing on tiptoe while clutching the countertop to see the action.
“Ready, big boy?” He showed him the bowl.
Joey reached for it, but Devon knew better. It could easily become ice cream on the floor. He managed to carry the three bowls into the dining room and gave Ashley a call. While she made her way, he settled Joey onto his booster seat. He darted back to grab three napkins and the spoons and returned as Ashley had maneuvered herself into the chair beside Joey.
“It looks scrumptious.” She lifted the spoon and took a bite, capturing a little of everything except the cherry.
“Need help, Joey?” He watched the boy stare at the ice cream, his spoon poised above it.
He shook his head and dived in. The first bite went half in his mouth and half on the tray. But that didn’t slow him down. Joey spooned it up, finished the bite and licked the spoon. “Yummy.” He grinned.
With his focus half on Joey and half on Ashley, who seemed to savor the dessert, he managed to eat his own treat. He had to admit the sweet ice cream with the salty nuts and the creamy taste lured his taste buds in for another bite.
They made short work of the dessert, and when Joey scraped the last of the ice cream from the bowl, Devon brought a damp paper towel from the kitchen and wiped the toddler’s hands and mouth, then lowered him to the carpet.
Ashley released a sigh and then chuckled.
Curious, he gave her a questioning look. “Did I do something?”
“No. Just thinking.”
“I’m glad it made you laugh.” He wished he could laugh more often instead of carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Do you think I’m too presumptuous?”
“Why in the world would you ask me that?”
He shrugged and settled back into the chair. “I walked in as if I was invited and took over. I didn’t ask if you were ready for dessert. I just made it. I should—”
“You should be who you are. That’s what you should do.”
“Are you sure?” He studied her face and saw only sincerity.
“Let me tell you what made me chuckle.” She wiped her lips with the napkin and laid it beside the bowl.
“Tell me.”
“I was thinking, except for this rotten cast and the hospital stay, I’m glad the tree fell on me. You know why?”
Puzzled, he shook his head.
“Because I met you. You’re a bright light in my life—a special person. I’ve only known one person similar to you, and that was Adam, but I think you even top him.”
Heat warmed him. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“It’s a fact. Don’t be uncomfortable. That’s who you are. I love that in you, and funny, sometimes I feel as if I’ve known you forever.”
He let her words wend their way through his mind. “That’s how I feel. I’ve tried to put my finger on it. But what you just said is it.” He leaned back in the chair, a concern inching into his mind. “I don’t want to be a pest. If I overstep my welcome or anything, please say so.”
“Ask Neely. I’m pretty blunt. So don’t worry about that.” She grinned. “Now, let’s sit in the living room where it’s comfortable.”
He cleared the table while she settled into the recliner, and as soon as he came into the room, Joey met him with a book. “Read to me.”
Ashley patted the arm of the chair. “Joey, don’t bug Devon. I’ll read to you. Let’s get you ready for bed first.”
He skittered across the room and clasped what looked like his pajamas. When he handed them to Ashley, one garment dropped to the floor.
“Can I help?” Devon retrieved the soft flannel pants and held out his hand to Joey. Ashley gave him the top, and he sat on the floor beside her chair and helped Joey into the pajamas. Red dinosaurs decorated the blue fabric.
“I bring those down in the morning to save me trips upstairs.” Ashley motioned toward the staircase. “That’s a trip with crutches.”
“You mean, that’s where you sleep?” He eyed the long staircase, wishing she had a better setup.
“I’m doing okay. Don’t worry.”
One slip, and she could fall. He didn’t want to even think about it. “I don’t like thinking of you alone here going up the stairs. Be careful. Please.”
She nodded. “Okay, buddy, give Mama the book, and I’ll read you the story.”
Devon eyed the book in Joey’s hand. “Bunny Blue.”
Ashley gave him a sheepish look. “This was mine when I was a kid. It may have been my mother’s. It was always a little beat-up, but it was a favorite.”
“Interesting.” He reached for it, and she put the book into his hand. He turned the book over and opened the cover. “I’ve never read it.” He rose and settled on the sofa, keeping the book. “How about if I read it to him?”
“If you’ve never had the treat, go ahead. Everyone should read Bunny Blue. It has a message.” She tilted back the recliner and watched him hoist Joey onto his lap.
Joey leaned against Devon’s chest as he turned the pages and read the story of the little blue bunny who’d lost his bright pink bow. As he searched everywhere for it, Joey announced where he would look next. “You’re giving the story away, pal.” But Joey didn’t seem to care.
As he read, Joey cuddled deeper into his arms. The feel of the hefty boy felt right and good, and he recalled when Kaylee was a toddler and how she would fall asleep in his arms. He missed those days. He continued the story. Bunny Blue finally gave up searching for the bow. Daylight was coming and the adults would awaken, so he had to return to the toy box without his bow. Sadly he climbed into the box, but before he knew it, the lid opened and his owner pulled him out. “Where’s your pretty pink bow?” The bunny couldn’t tell her. “There it is. Right there beneath you.” The bunny laughed to himself. He’d hunted all night never realizing he’d had the pink bow all the time.
Devon closed the book, but the message lingered in his mind. Sometimes people search and search to find their heart’s desire, and all the time, it was right in front of them.
When he turned to Ashley, she gave a nod and pointed. “Joey missed the ending.”
He gazed down at the boy, eyes closed, his breathing slow and even. “I did a pretty good job.”
“You did, but now I can’t get him up the stairs.” She tilted her head.
“But I can.” He lay the book on the sofa and eased up with the boy cuddled in his arms. “Remind me which way to go.”
“Thanks.” She gave him directions, and he climbed the stairs and found the boy’s room. He lowered him into the bed, drew up the blanket and turned off the light. A small night-light shaped like a crescent moon glowed from a plug. He gazed down at Joey and thought of Kaylee. He touched the boy’s soft cheek, whispered good-night and returned to the first floor, his mind wrapped around his concern once again.
“He’s still sleeping.” He settled back on the sofa and lifted the book. When he gazed at Ashley, the lesson returned. Sometimes what he looked for was right in front of him.
Ashley lowered the footrest and leaned forward. “You look sad all of a sudden.”
“Thinking about Kaylee. When I saw Joey sleeping, I thought about when she was little and happier. I wish she could be happy again.”
“Devon, I can only imagine how difficult it is to live without her by your side.” Her face filled with concern. “I thought she was just a bit unhappy because you’d brought her here, and she didn’t want to come.”
Her expression touched him. “No, she laughs once in a while, but not often even with me. I’m worried what’s going on with her mother.”
“You’re really concerned?” She lowered her eyes as if in thought. “What do you think?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you. You have problems of your own.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
He drew in a breath, wondering where to begin. “Gina’s depression is what started it all.” He told her about Kaylee’s birth and the struggle she’d had until finally she’d made her decision to leave. “I know Renee, Gina’s sister. She’s a kind woman, but I don’t want her raising my daughter, and I get the feeling that’s what’s going on.”
“In what way?”
“When Kaylee tells me what she’s learned or what she’s doing, it’s always about Renee. She never mentions her mother. I think that’s strange, and I don’t want to put her on the spot and ask. There’s nothing worse than one parent grilling the kids about the other parent.”
“But if you’re worried, you need to learn the truth.” She shook her head. “It’s tough, but you need to know for your own peace of mind and Kaylee’s welfare.”
Her eyes sought his, and the caring look captured him. His pulse escalated, and a warm feeling slipped through his body. “I need to do something. You’re right.”
“Ask Renee.”
His head jerked upward, surprised at what she’d said. “You read my thoughts.”
“Two heads are better than one even if the idea is unspoken.”
“That’s the truth. I will ask Renee. That’s the only way I’ll know.” His shoulders relaxed as his course of action soothed his worry.
“Will Renee tell you the truth?”
He nodded. “I think so. She’s a good person.”
She grasped her crutches and pulled herself up.
“What do you need? Let me get it for you.”
She wiggled her finger toward him. “I need you.”
“Me?” He pressed his palm to his chest.
She nodded, and he rose and went to her, trying to decipher what she wanted.
Clinging to the crutches, she looked into his eyes. “I want to give you a hug.”
His heartbeat tripped as her arms enveloped him. A crutch dropped to the floor, but it didn’t matter. He held her slender body against his, hoping she couldn’t feel the pounding in his chest.
When he released her, she kissed his cheek. “Even I feel better.”
He couldn’t respond. No words could express what he felt.