LITMIR.BIZ

      LAUREN LOOKED DOWN at the little girl. “Why, Ally, that’s beautiful. What a nice job you did.”

      “Thank you. I drew a picture like Daddy, didn’t I?”

      “Yes, you did. Let’s go put it on the refrigerator,” she suggested, reaching out a hand to the child.

      “No!” Jack shouted.

      Lauren turned around to stare at the man. Then she realized what she’d done. She’d treated Ally like one of her brothers and sisters, pretending to be the mother, as she had ever since she was twelve.

      Jack took the picture from his child. “We’ll put it on our fridge at home, Ally. That’s where it belongs. Uh, where did you get the markers?”

      Ally tucked the box of colored markers behind her and looked at Lauren.

      “I gave them to her. I thought she would enjoy using them.” Lauren raised her chin again. Surely the man wouldn’t object to such kindness to his child.

      “She’ll get the ink on herself. Ally, just use Daddy’s pen, okay?”

      “But, Daddy—”

      “Ally, do as I say, please.”

      The child grudgingly took the markers from behind her back and gave them to Lauren. “Thank you,” she said politely.

      “You’re welcome,” Lauren replied.

      The man took out his tape measure to begin measuring and marking down numbers on his pad of paper. He obviously hadn’t realized Lauren had also given his daughter a pad of paper.

      With her gaze on her father, Ally carefully moved the pad of paper behind her. A quick look at Lauren invited her silence.

      Lauren just stood there, thinking how cute the little girl was. She had sandy blond hair like her father and his brown eyes, but while his features were masculine and handsome, hers were delicate and beautiful.

      “Daddy, I’m hungry,” the little girl said, flashing a look at Lauren.

      “Yeah, baby, I’ll get us some lunch in a little while,” he said, obviously distracted by his work.

      “I’ll feed her,” Lauren said quietly, hoping not to disturb him. She didn’t think he’d agree to such a plan if he realized it. She held out her hand to Ally and the two left the room very quietly.

      When they reached the kitchen, Lauren whispered, “Do you like grilled cheese sandwiches?”

      Ally nodded, her brown eyes big.

      “Good. I’ll fix you one for lunch. We’ll cut it into soldiers. And if you eat a soldier, you get a cookie for dessert. Okay?”

      The child nodded enthusiastically. Lauren sat her at the table and began preparations for lunch. In no time, she’d made a grilled cheese sandwich and cut it into three long strips, calling each one a soldier. Then she poured her a glass of milk to go with the sandwich.

      While Ally ate, Lauren made three more sandwiches, two for Mr. Mason and one for herself. She also heated some tomato soup.

      About that time, they both heard Jack’s voice, calling for his daughter. He came running down the hall.

      “We’re in here,” Lauren called. She almost broke into laughter when he burst through the open door. One would’ve thought he’d come slashing through the jungle to rescue the princess.

      “Ally! You weren’t supposed to leave my side!”

      “But, Daddy—”

      “I told you I was fixing her lunch,” Lauren interrupted.

      “I didn’t hear you! And I don’t need you to fix us lunch. I’ll take us out to lunch. Come on, Ally.”

      “But, Daddy, I’ve almost finished my soldiers and I get a cookie for each one.”

      “Ally, we have to—”

      “Mr. Mason, she has almost eaten all her lunch. It would be a waste of time to take her to lunch now. Besides, I’ve already made your lunch, too.” She put a plate with two grilled cheese sandwiches and a bowl of tomato soup on the table.

      He stared at the food. “I didn’t ask for this!”

      “No, but I thought it might save you some time.”

      He didn’t move, staring at the food.

      “Look, eat, don’t eat. It makes no difference to me.” She sat down to eat her own lunch.

      Ally looked at Lauren’s plate. “You don’t have soldiers?”

      “No, sweetie, only children get soldiers.”

      Ally leaned toward her father. “Daddy, do you want my last soldier?”

      Her generosity broke through Jack Mason’s stupor. “No, angel, you eat your last soldier,” he told the little girl. “I have plenty of food, thanks to Miss McNabb.”

      He sat down at the table, saying stiffly, “I appreciate the lunch.”

      Lauren didn’t believe him, but they ate silently and she was satisfied that he ate all the food she’d provided. Ally ate her three cookies, but she was almost half asleep by the time she finished.

      “I have a bed she can sleep on,” Lauren said.

      “No! She stays with me.” He stood and removed the corduroy jacket he was wearing and wrapped Ally in it.

      Lauren watched as, carrying his child, he walked out of the kitchen toward the office. She wasn’t sure what was behind his watchfulness, but she wanted the little girl to be comfortable. She went to the other bedroom and pushed a big chair into her future office with two pillows and a blanket to cover the child.

      He had already put Ally on the floor with the jacket bunched up at one end to form a rough pillow. She patted the chair and he nodded, transferring his daughter into the chair.

      “Thank you. She’ll be more comfortable.”

      Lauren nodded and left the room. Whatever the man’s hang-ups, he appeared to love his child, and that counted for something in Lauren’s book.