The Dad Next Door

“It takes a while to get used to a new place and new people,” Gavin said diplomatically. “But we should let Allison go on her way, Tory. I’m sure she has things she needs to be doing.”

Allison had no things that needed doing, but she didn’t correct him. Every time she met him, Gavin seemed determined to keep their relationship pleasant but distant. She could have accepted that, but there were also times when she thought she read something else in his eyes.

Interest. Attraction.

Or was that just wishful thinking on her part?

She said goodbye and went home to leftovers from her most recent dinner with her father. Less than an hour later, as she was contemplating her television options for the evening, she heard a knock at the door.

She was surprised to find Tory on her porch.

“Hi.” The little girl’s expression was expectant.

“Hi, Tory. Where’s your dad?”

“Talking on the phone.” Tory looked past her. “Do you have any of those toys you had at the store?”

“I do have a cool collection of salt and pepper shakers, but I’d better talk to your father first. Does he know where you are?”

She’d only just asked the question when she heard Gavin’s voice calling from next door. “Tory? Are you out here?”

Allison stepped out to the porch and waved at him. “She’s at my place.”

“Thank God.” He dashed over, shaking his head. “Tory, what are you doing? You’re not supposed to leave the house without telling me.”

“I didn’t cross the street, Daddy.”

He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. A fine sheen of moisture was visible on his forehead. Allison wouldn’t have blamed him for being upset, but he seemed more than that.

He took another breath. “Sorry for the interruption, Allison. Tory, we’d better go home and review a few rules before we watch our movie.”

“But Allison has something to show me.”

“Allison’s busy.”

Seeing the little girl’s face begin to crumple, Allison felt that she had to speak up. “She could stay for a while, if that’s okay with you.”

“But I’m sure you and your fiancé have plans.”

His assumption startled her. “Did someone tell you I was engaged?”

“I saw a wedding invitation on your porch. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have read it.”

“No problem. But actually my fiancé and I recently split up. The invitations were delivered because I forgot to cancel with the printer.”

“Oh.” He looked at her speculatively, before assuming a polite, neutral expression again. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Tired of sympathy, she purposefully misunderstood him. “It wasn’t a large order. We had planned on a small wedding.”

“I didn’t mean about the printer.” His eyes sparkled, amused.

“The broken engagement part is okay, too. Better to figure it out now than later.”

“If it didn’t feel right, then, yes.”

She paused, wondering what his story was. She’d assumed he was divorced, but she’d seen no indication that he shared custody with Tory’s mother.

So maybe he was widowed.

“Can I see the toys now?” Tory was tired of a conversation that she couldn’t really follow.

“Tory, we’re interrupting….”

“I was going to show her my collection of salt and pepper shakers. They’re based on characters from nursery rhymes. I thought she’d get a kick out of them.”

“I’m sure she would, but…”

“And then I thought we’d bake cookies,” Allison added on impulse.

Tory’s eyes grew round.

“Maybe another night.” Gavin took his daughter’s hand, but she didn’t move when he tried to lead her away.

“Daddy, please?”

How could he resist that face? Allison certainly couldn’t. “Really, Gavin, I’d love to have her company.”

He must have seen that she was sincere, because a moment later he relented. “Fine.”

Tory produced a brilliant smile.

“See that cupboard?” Allison pointed to the hutch in the dining room. “That’s where I keep the salt and pepper shakers. Try and guess which nursery rhymes they match.”

“Okay!” Tory dashed off and a moment later she called out, “I see Jack and Jill. And Puss in Boots.”

“Good work, Tory. I’ll be there in a minute to get them down for you.” She smiled at Gavin. “Don’t worry. We’re going to have fun.”

She could tell it took some effort for him to leave alone. Recalling his earlier anxiety, Allison wondered if there was a reason he was so protective.

Did it have anything to do with the missing mother?

Allison set aside her curiosity and resolved to have a good time with Tory. She let the child play with the salt and pepper shakers for a while and when she’d tired of that, they went to the kitchen to mix cookie dough.

“What kind should we make?” Allison asked.

Tory shook her head. “You pick.”

“Oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip?”