Ethan’s stomach rolled as he knocked on Fran’s door. He wasn’t sure if this was the right decision or not, but Tilly had wanted a dog for as long as he could remember and he wanted her to be able to spend some time with Fran and with her dogs so he could see how they got on.
Fran opened the door and smiled at them.
‘Come on in.’
They entered the warm hallway and Ethan sniffed appreciatively.
‘Something smells good.’
‘It won’t be anywhere near as good as the things you make but I’ve baked a cheese and mushroom quiche and a chocolate cake.’
‘Fran, just because I’m a chef doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy things that others bake. In fact, it’s wonderful to have things made for me for a change.’
‘Well, I hope you enjoy them anyway.’
She smiled at him and his heart soared. She was breathtaking and cute, an attractive combination, in a silky purple tunic top with a long black cardigan, leggings and fluffy slipper boots on her feet. Her hair was pulled back from her smooth forehead with a purple headband and it made her look even younger. There was a chickenpox scar just under her hairline and he had an urge to touch it. Instead, he stuffed his hands into his pockets, not wanting to set Tilly’s tongue wagging again by touching Fran in front of her, because then she might start insisting that they kiss again like she had on Christmas Day.
‘I like quiche, Fran, and chocolate cake’s my favourite,’ Tilly said as she removed her coat.
‘Everything’s your favourite.’ Ethan laughed. ‘I’ve heard stories about children who are fussy eaters and whose parents worry but I’ve never had that problem with Tilly. She loves her food… except for sprouts.’
‘I don’t like some other things, Daddy, but I never wanted you to worry.’ Tilly looked up at him and his heart melted.
‘What don’t you like?’
Tilly wave a hand dismissively. ‘Well, I didn’t like sprouts but Uncle Gary made me try on one Christmas Day and it wasn’t that horrid with bacon. I guess that tastes change all the time.’
Ethan met Fran’s eyes and they grinned at each other. The things Tilly came out with would never cease to amaze him.
‘Where are the dogs, Fran?’ Tilly asked.
‘I closed the kitchen gate so they wouldn’t rush at you.’
‘You have a gate inside?’ Tilly frowned.
‘It’s a stair gate. I have them everywhere.’ Fran gestured around the hallway at the gates on the stairs and in doorways.
‘It must take you ages to open and close them all.’ Tilly’s mouth was open as she gazed around.
‘I don’t always close them… mainly when I have visitors or a new dog staying.’
‘Daddy said you have a new dog here now.’
‘I do.’
‘Can I meet him?’
‘You can, but be calm and gentle with him as he’s still a bit nervous and he can’t hear anything.’
‘He’s a deaf dog?’
‘He is.’
‘I will treat him like a newborn baby. That’s what my teacher said you have to do when someone’s nervous. Newborn babies cry a lot, especially if you’re loud around them, so you have to be quiet and speak softly like this…’ She whispered the final words.
‘Perfect! Come on then.’
Fran led them to the kitchen and she opened the gate then told the dogs to sit.
Ethan followed Fran and his daughter, realising that his nerves were melting away with how easy it was to be around Fran and at how well she got on with Tilly. They were quite similar in many ways with their sensible approach to things and their quirky sense of humour and he had a feeling that they were going to get on very well indeed. One thing that had crossed his mind recently was whether Tilly might be jealous if he became involved with another woman, but she had made several comments recently about him needing to kiss Fran and about what it would be like to see more of Fran and at no point did she seem at all negative. Fran had promised to teach her how to draw and paint and to let her walk the dogs and learn how to care for them and Tilly was nothing but happy and enthusiastic about Fran. Of course, Ethan knew that it could change if he didn’t deal with things sensitively and ensure that Tilly had as much of his attention as she’d always had, but then he was starting to realise that his love wasn’t limited. There wasn’t a cap on it that meant he only had a certain amount to give. He didn’t love Tilly any less since he’d met Fran and yet, he had feelings for Fran that were growing and evolving by the day. It was different to his love for Tilly and he could tell that it wasn’t limited in any way, that he could love and care for them both, if things worked out between him and Fran that was. Who knew, there could even be an addition to their family unit at some point – whether human or animal – and he would still have more love to give. Being around Fran was helping him to learn more about himself and he was enjoying the experience. Whereas in the past he’d felt sad, trapped even by his negative emotions such as loneliness and hurt, he now felt that he was moving on from that and growing, that he had more to give and to learn and to achieve.
Ethan was healing and moving on in ways he’d never expected and it was the best feeling in the world.
Fran sat on the kitchen floor with Tilly as the little girl talked to her dogs. They were all being very well behaved and even the little white dog, which had initially hidden under the table, had now come out and was giving Tilly his full attention. Fran watched as the dog inched his way closer to Tilly until he was sitting right in front of her, then, as Tilly explained how she was going to learn to horse ride in the summer, the dog raised its paw and patted Tilly’s hand.
‘Did you see that?’
Fran turned to Ethan. He was sitting at the table sipping his coffee. He nodded.
‘He gave me a high five,’ Tilly said.
‘He likes you.’ Fran smiled. The dog could tell that Tilly was sweet and gentle and that she could be trusted. ‘Right, I’ll get our lunch ready.’
She went to the sink and washed her hands, then she sliced up the quiche and took it to the table along with a bowl of potato salad she’d made earlier.
‘What can I do?’ Ethan asked.
‘Relax. You’re my guest.’ Fran squeezed his shoulder.
When she’d brought everything to the table, Ethan told Tilly to wash her hands and they all sat down to eat. The dogs wandered off to their beds, except for the new one, and he stayed right by Tilly’s feet with his chin resting on her toes.
‘I think he wants to come home with me, Daddy.’ Tilly smiled.
‘That may well be, but I think it might be a bit early to think about taking him home, don’t you?’
Tilly pouted. ‘Why?’
‘Well…’ Ethan forked a potato. ‘A dog is a big responsibility.’
Tilly nodded. ‘So is a child.’
Ethan spluttered. ‘Tilly, I don’t know where these things you say come from.’
‘I told you before, Daddy, I listen to people.’
‘She’s a good listener.’ Fran bit her lip.
‘Isn’t she just?’ He shook his head.
‘If we adopted this boy it would help Fran.’
‘It would?’ Ethan asked.
‘Yes because she has lots of dogs anyway and she would have space for one more if there’s one out there in need.’
Fran lowered her gaze to her plate. She didn’t want to get in the middle of this conversation but Tilly was making some good points.
‘But what about when you go back to school?’
‘Then you can pop back in the day and let him out.’
‘I can?’
‘You always go home at some point, Daddy, and if not, then Scarlett or Harper can go.’
‘Tilly, we can’t rely on other people to let our dog out.’
‘Daddy…’ Tilly sighed. ‘That’s what families are for. They help each other out.’
Ethan leant on his hand and put his fork down. He looked defeated, but Fran knew that he had to be sure before he gave a dog a home. It was a big responsibility and something to think very carefully about.
‘Look, Tilly, why don’t I have a chat with your dad about this after lunch and see if we can sort something out? Even if you can’t adopt this little one, perhaps you could think of a name for him and come and visit him lots.’
Tilly’s eyes moved from Ethan to Fran and back again, and she frowned then shrugged. ‘Okay. Whatever you think is best.’
Fran nudged Ethan under the table and he nudged her back. Tilly was a highly intelligent child and she knew how to be persuasive, including how to back off at the right time to let someone think. Fran was very impressed and amused and she could see that Ethan had his hands full. She hoped that she could be there for future discussions like this to offer him support because as Tilly got older she would likely run rings around him.
Poor Ethan!