What the heck is Sophie doing here? There was a chance the size of a gnat that she would be here. And yet, here she was.
“Um. Where would you like me to take these?” Sophie exhaled loudly and placed her hand on her hip. “In the lobby.” She waved her hand like she was shooing flies. “And I’ll get the rest myself, thank you very much.”
Sam Fischer’s lips turned up in a slight smile—still adorable when she was mad. And her fiery red-headed self hadn’t changed.
He stepped into the lobby with the bags. Was her heart beating as rapidly as his? Did she remember their first date for coffee and walk along the river? Or their kayak ride? What about their first kiss? Her lips were so soft next to his. He shook the memories out of his head. He hadn’t deserved her.
He stroked his beard. He was pretty sure he was the last person she wanted to see after what he’d done. But it had been three years. She had to have moved on. Sam set the bag down on the lobby coffee table and his eyes fell on the tree.
By the wine-colored wing tipped chair.
The one she had sat on when he proposed.
With everyone watching.
He shook his head.
* * *
“Daddy, come on.” Darby tugged on his arm. “It’s snowing. Can we go play in it?” Sam looked outside. The flakes were clumping together as they drifted through the amber lights of the carport. This little girl was a good distraction. He was not ready to see Sophie. She obviously thought he was an absolute jerk. As well she should.
“It’s getting dark, sweetheart. And you’re not dressed for it.”
“I can get dressed. It won’t take very long. Come on.” Who could resist those big blue puppy dog eyes? She tugged on his arm till he followed her up the stairs to their room.
Sam sat on the edge of the bed while Darby yanked out her pink snow pants and gloves.
“Want help?”
“I can do it my own self.” She sat on the floor and put one leg in and then the other. Her foot got stuck on the elastic cuff. She squinched up her face like she was determined to win a competition. Sam reached out to help her, but she managed to get her foot through.
“Good job, Darby Doo.” He tugged her knit hat on and patted her on the head.
Now the trick would be to get downstairs without having to pass Sophie. And what were all those bags for, anyway?
* * *
Fifteen minutes had been long enough to get the snow bug out of Darby. She shivered as she ran towards the front door. A girl dressed as an elf met them with towels to clean off their boots.
“Looks like you two had fun. Did you like the snow?” She toweled off the remaining flakes on Darby’s jacket.
“I love it.” Her teeth chattered. “But it’s so cold!” She hugged herself.
“You look like a girl who could use some hot chocolate. There’s a table next to the fireplace with cookies and drinks. That is, if it’s okay with your dad.” She smiled up at him.
“Yes, of course.” Darby ran to the table.
“Just one cookie, Doodle. Take your pick.” Sam filled a cup with cocoa from a carafe. He squirted whipped cream from the can and handed it to Darby. “Sit down here so you don’t spill.”
She took a bite out of a gingerbread man and carefully set her cup on the table. Sam looked at the activity board. There were daily activities for kids of all ages. He’d sign her up and maybe go with the adults on the planned cross-country ski trip. He could use some adult time.
Sam loved the role of dad. But he could use a break now and then. It had been a crazy ride. The phone call that his brother Henry and sister-in-law, Tara, had been in a car accident. Rushing to the hospital only to find Tara had died. A few final hours with his brother, where Henry asked Sam to promise to parent two-year-old Darby.
“All done? Throw your napkin and cup away. Let’s get you into bed. Got some fun things for you to do tomorrow.”
They reached the room where he drew a warm bath, pulled out her fuzzy fleece Christmas jammies with the polar bears, and brushed through her straight blonde hair.
“Read to me.” She jumped up onto the bed and gave Sam a copy of The Kissing Hand. She snuggled her own stuffed Chester raccoon on her lap.
‘“Now,” Mrs. Raccoon told Chester, “Whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home, just press your hand to your cheek and think,”’
Here Darby chimed in. “Daddy loves you.” She put her hand on her cheek and snuggled closer to Sam.
Sam swallowed the lump in his throat. ‘“And that kiss will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts.”’ How had he been the one to receive such a gift?
He kissed the top of her head. “Okay Doodle, time for bed.” He tucked her in, kissing her on each dimple just like Daddy H had. “Sweet dreams. God bless you, baby girl.”