LITMIR.BIZ

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voice roughened with sudden intense emotions.

      Cindy lifted her tearful gaze to Jesse’s, her lower lip trembling. “About a year. She died in a car wreck. Daddy was in the car, too. He was in the hospital a long time.” Her voice wavered. “Daddy doesn’t like to talk about it.”

      Jesse drew the child into her arms, stroking her hand down her back. “If you need to talk to someone, I’m a good listener.” It had taken Nate a while to open up to her about his father’s death, and after he had, he had been much better.

      Sniffing, Cindy pulled away. “I’m okay. It’s just that sometimes Daddy doesn’t know what to do with me, being a girl and all.” She swiped her hand across her cheeks and erased the evidence of her tears. “There’s just times I wish I had a mommy, but I can’t tell Daddy that.”

      Jesse’s heart constricted, making her chest feel tight. There were times she was sure Nate wished he had a father, but she could never see herself married again. Mark had been a wonderful husband, her childhood sweetheart. She could never find another love like they had. She had been lucky once. She couldn’t see settling for anything less than the kind of love she had with Mark.

      Please, Lord, help me to be there for Cindy as I was for Nate. Guide me in the best way to help Cindy. She’s hurting and I want to help her.

      With her arm still loosely about Cindy’s shoulder, Jesse asked, “Does your father have any lady friends?”

      The little girl shook her head. “He’s always too busy working when he should be resting.” She glanced toward her house. “That’s what he’s doing right now. We’re supposed to be on vacation, but he’s been on the phone for hours.”

      A plan began to materialize in Jesse’s mind. “Maybe we can do something about that.”

      Cindy’s eyes brightened. “What?”

      “I’ll have a party and invite some friends to introduce you all to Sweetwater.”

      “You will?”

      “Yes. How does tomorrow night sound?”

      “What about tomorrow night?”

      Nick’s question surprised Jesse. She hadn’t heard him approaching and to look up and see him standing only a few feet from her was unnerving. Her heart kicked into double time. She surged to her feet, smoothing down her jean shorts that suddenly seemed too short.

      “Cindy and I were planning a party to welcome you to Sweetwater.”

      “You don’t have to do that.”

      “I know, but I want to. So pencil me in.”

      His eyebrow quirked.

      “It won’t be a large gathering. Just a few people.” Jesse heard herself talking a mile a minute. She stopped and took several deep breaths. “How about it? I’m a great cook.”

      “After tasting your cookies, you won’t get an argument from me. They were delicious.”

      “Yeah, Daddy had half the plate eaten before I even had a chance to eat one.”

      Jesse laughed. “Then I’ll make some more for dessert tomorrow night. My son loves chocolate chip cookies, too. They’re a staple around our house.”

      “But not your husband?” Nick asked, a lazy smile accompanying the question.

      “He loved them, too, but he died four years ago. A freak accident. He was struck by lightning.” There she went, telling a person more than he asked.

      “I’m sorry.”

      “Daddy, Bingo can do all kinds of tricks. Watch.” Cindy stood. “Roll over.” After the dog performed that task, she said, “Sit. Shake hands.” The little girl took his paw in her hand. “Isn’t he terrific? Dogs make good pets.”

      Nick tried to contain his grin, but it lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m sure they do, princess.”

      “Then we can get one?” Cindy turned her hopeful expression on him.

      “I’ll think about it when we return to Chicago.”

      “You will?”

      “That isn’t a yes, young lady. Just a promise to consider it.”

      Cindy leaned close to Jesse and whispered loudly, “That means we’ll get one when Daddy says that.”

      “I heard that, Cynthia Rebecca Blackburn.”

      “Oh, I’m in big trouble now. He’s using my full name.” The little girl giggled and began petting Bingo.

      “Would you like to throw the ball for him? He loves to play catch.” Jesse retrieved a red ball from the flower bed loaded with multicolored pansies along the front of her house.

      “Yes.” Cindy moved out into the yard and tossed Bingo’s toy toward her yard. The dog chased it down.

      “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Cindy, but I know where you could get a poodle puppy.”

      His dark gaze fixed on her. “Thank you for not saying anything in front of Cindy.”

      “Then you aren’t interested?” She heard her disappointment in her voice and grimaced. She never liked fostering her ideas onto another—well, maybe she did. Anyway, pets were good for children and clearly his daughter loved animals.

      “I don’t know. I—” He looked toward Cindy. “I’ve never had a dog before. Or any pet for that matter.”

      For just a few seconds she glimpsed a vulnerability in his expression before he veiled it. “If you decide to get one, I’ll help.”

      “Until we go back to Chicago.” A self-mocking grin graced his mouth. “Then, I’m on my own.”

      “It’s not that difficult. Love is the most important ingredient.”

      “Isn’t it always?”

      “Yes, it is.” She couldn’t help wondering where his world-weary tone came from.

      He took a deep breath. “I’ll think about the puppy. I’ll have to consult Boswell, too, since he’ll be taking care of the dog.”

      “Is that the older gentleman I’ve seen leaving your house?”

      “Completely bald?”

      “Yeah.”

      “That’s Boswell. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He takes care of the everyday details of my life as well as Cindy’s.”

      “Cindy said something about you working this afternoon. What do you do?”

      “I’m CEO of Blackburn Industries. We’re into a little of everything it seems.”

      “And you live in an apartment?” she asked without really thinking. Her picture of his home obviously wasn’t right.

      A sheepish look fell over his features. “I guess it isn’t your idea of an apartment. It takes up the top floor of the building I own on the lake in downtown Chicago.”

      She chuckled. “No. What pops into my mind is maybe four or five rooms at the most.”

      “Okay, maybe I have space for a pet. I just think dogs should have a yard. All I have is a terrace. Not the same thing.”

      “If you don’t think a dog is a good idea, I know a lady in town who has some kittens she wants to find a home for.”

      “I get the distinct impression that if I want something, you’re the lady to come to.”

      Jesse warmed under the smile directed at her. The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepened and his stance relaxed completely. “I do know what’s going on around Sweetwater. If it’s to be had, I can probably get it for you.”

      “I’ll

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