Sophie let the hot water run through her hair, relaxing her tight shoulders. What would make her think he would have carried out what he said he would? It was a simple request. And if nothing else, it was for his daughter, for pity’s sake. She poured shampoo onto her hand and rubbed it through her long strands. She could get by just fine without a manger. She didn’t even really need a stage. Let him go sit on a pinecone.
With sharp edges.
She dried off and wrapped a towel around her head. Why Lord? This could have been a perfectly peaceful week without throwing him in here. She threw a pillow across the room and fell onto the bed on her stomach.
He was a good guy. He had always been impulsive when it came to helping someone. When his elderly neighbor was out of kindling, he was there chopping it for her. When a new family had moved in across the street, he was the first to bring a pizza and offer to help. It just seemed like helping others always came first before her. She had never been able to accept that. She deserved a man who could put her above everyone else. Lay down his life for her.
She sat up. What am I thinking? He isn’t Jesus, for crying out loud. The man was allowed to have some flaws.
* * *
“Daddy.” Sam held Darby’s hand as they walked back to their room.
Sophie was right. He had put someone else’s needs above hers. Above Darby’s. All the more reason not to re-engage in a relationship. Even though his eyes craved to take in every bit of her. Her fiery green eyes. Curly red hair. That bit of a turned-up nose. Nope. He was not going to allow himself to take in her beauty. It would only complicate things.
He had Darby to think about. Sophie wasn’t going to want to be saddled down with a little girl. She had her own life to live.
“Daddy. I’m trying to talk to you.” Darby moved to face him and crossed her arms.
“Sorry, Doodle.” He crouched down to eye level. “What’s up?”
“You gots to make the cradle. I think you hurt Miss Sophie’s feelings.”
“You’re right.” He ruffled her hair. “Let’s get some dinner and you can help me build it.” He swallowed.
Darby had finished her Mac and Cheese and was licking a strawberry ice cream cone. Sam’s eyes scanned the restaurant and was relieved to not see a shock of long red hair.
“Come on, Darby. I need my little assistant to help me with this project.” They headed to the shop where the tools still lay scattered from earlier.
“Do you need a screwdriver or the hammer?” Darby held the tools, one in each hand.
Sam held up a screw. Darby set the hammer down and sat on the base. Sam held the screw while Darby used both hands to line up the drill.
“Go easy on it now. Not too fast or you’ll get my fingers.” Darby pressed the button and expertly drilled the screw into the wood.
“I’m going to have to hire you out, little miss. I think you’ve found your calling.” He gave her a side hug.
“Just doing what you taught me.” She beamed at him.
Sam slid a sheet of plywood onto the base while Darby brought the box of screws.
“Hey!” Sophie leaned against the doorway— a knit shawl wrapped around her. Sam looked up. “Do you want some help? I’m not bad with a skill saw.”
“I was just getting the flooring lined up. Come push on the front while I adjust the side. Darby, bring the drill and screws over here.”
“I wanted to apologize for getting mad earlier today.” She fiddled with the pendant hanging around her neck. “I shouldn’t have lashed out at you.”
“Accepted.” Was she still wearing the sapphire necklace he had given her that Christmas?
“Daddy, is it okay if I hold the screw and Miss Sophie drills? I’m getting kinda tired.”
“Sure, Doodle.”
“Do you know how to do it, Miss Sophie? The button is here. Go slow so you don’t screw my fingers.”
“Okay, I think I’ve got this.” Sophie shared a grin with Sam.
“Thanks, Miss Sophie. Daddy, can I watch a movie on your phone? This hard work is pooping me out.”
Sam pulled his phone out of his hip pocket and handed it to her. She crawled onto the couch and snuggled under a blanket.
“She’s cute, Sam. You’re really lucky to have her in your life. I bet she brings you a lot of joy.”
“That she does. She’s pretty much my everything. I don’t know what I’d do if anything ever happened to her.”
Sophie put her hand on Sam’s arm. “Sam, thank you for doing this.” She motioned towards the stable. “It means a lot.”
“No problem. I love working with wood. Creating things. The satisfaction of seeing completed projects.”
“I never really saw you as an accountant. It seemed, I don’t know, too stiff. Too predictable.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve learned a lot about myself in the last few years.” Sam hoped she could see that he wasn’t the same man. That he had changed. Besides having a job he loved, he made decent money. And he had taken on Darby Doo. That had to count for something, right?
“Hey Darby, doin’ okay?”
“Yes, daddy. I’m the epi-dome of coze. My blanket’s all fuzzled up on me.” He let out a chuckle. He turned to Sophie, drinking in her smile as she gazed at Darby. It seemed to be more than just a smile. Was there longing there?
“What do you think of this old barn wood for the manger?”
“Perfect!” Sam measured the support pieces and penciled off an angle. He handed the skill saw to Sophie. She put on safety glasses and lined up the cut while Sam held the end of the board in place.
“Do you remember when I taught summer camp in Germany?” Sam nodded at her. “There was a man who made all these amazing carvings— nutcrackers, intricate tree ornaments, even a star for the top of the tree. It was so fun to watch him take a plain piece of wood and turn it into something beautiful. I always wished I had bought something from him and brought it home.”
“I’ve done a bit of whittling. It’s fun. Here—hold these two pieces together.” Sophie twisted her hair into a braid and leaned in. Sam closed his eyes for a moment while he breathed in the scent of her hair. His eyes dipped to her lips and darted back to the screw. It would be so easy to slip back in love with her. Who was he kidding? He had never been out of love with her.
Sam glanced at the couch where Darby was sleeping, his cell phone resting on her tummy. He should get her to bed so she’d be rested in the morning. “Better call it a night. That little nugget needs her beauty rest.” Sophie nodded.
“Still need me to bring my guitar tomorrow?” If only he could hold on to her gorgeous smile.