LITMIR.BIZ

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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?”

      “I don’t care.”

      Assuming she was just being polite, Allison made the most obvious choice. “Well, let’s do chocolate chip, then.”

      She was rewarded with another big smile.

      THE HOUSE FELT EMPTY without his daughter. Gavin knew he ought to take advantage of the time to do some unpacking. He got as far as setting out the lawn chairs on the deck. The view was so enticing, he settled on one of them.

      A couple of ducks were feeding in the grass along the lakeshore. The sinking sun cast long shadows over the water. Gavin stared into the dark patches and thought of the days when sitting and doing nothing would have horrified him. He wondered if he’d ever get his old energy back.

      Time passed the way it usually did when he was in one of these moods, with his brain stuck in neutral, just like his body.

      Life was less painful this way.

      At some point, the phone began to ring. He wanted to ignore it, but knowing it might be Tory, he hurried inside.

      The number on display was a familiar legal firm in Hartford. “Matt?”

      “Hey, bro. How’s the new place?”

      Gavin perched on one of his many moving cartons. “Fine. How are things with you?”

      “Don’t ask.”

      “It’s kind of late to be at the office, isn’t it?”

      His brother sighed. “Like I said, don’t ask.”

      “Is it a new case?”

      Matthew didn’t reply.

      Just screw it for once, Gavin wanted to say. No matter how important work seems to you right now, your family is more important. Go home. Be with them.

      “Say hi to Gillian and the kids for me. Tory and I miss you guys.” That was the one bad thing about this move. They were too far away from his brothers and his mom. He and his siblings didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but ever since they’d been kids, Sunday afternoons had been family time. “Have you heard from Nick lately?”

      “Not for a while.”

      Gavin could guess why. “Must be a new girlfriend in the picture.”

      “It’s hard to keep track,” Matthew agreed. “You give Tory a hug from us. Is she really handling the move okay?”

      “It’s been an adjustment,” Gavin admitted. “But she’s taken to one of our neighbors. When Tory’s around Allison, she’s almost like herself again.”

      “That’s great. Are they in the same grade?”

      “Um, no. Allison’s an adult.”

      “An adult, huh? Older?”

      “A few years younger than me, I’d guess.”

      “And pretty? Unattached?”

      It was his turn to say, “Don’t ask.”

      Matthew laughed. “Okay, I won’t. But I have a feeling I’ll be hearing that name again soon.”

      “Don’t get your hopes up.” Remembering Allison’s warm smile and her curious green eyes, Gavin thought maybe it was advice he should be giving himself.

      TORY HAD NEVER MADE COOKIES before, and she was eager to help. As Allison slid the first batch into the oven, the young girl settled on a stool so she could keep an eye on them through the oven door.

      “This is fun.”

      Allison opened the dishwasher and loaded the dirty dishes. “What’s your favorite part?”

      “Adding the chocolate chips.”

      “I thought you were going to say licking the beaters.”

      “That was good, too.”

      She

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