Daddy Boss

by Claire Bishop

  I could feel myself starting to like this woman more and more. It worried me a little because I hadn’t dated in such a long time, but I had to admit that I was having a great time and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

  Chapter 18

  Rachel

  I was sitting at the desk on Thursday, lost in a daydream about James. As much as I tried to think of him as my boss, and hopefully my friend, I couldn’t help feeling that it could be more. I couldn’t get them out of my head and sometimes felt like I was losing it. I was definitely crushing hard on him and was excited to see where things might go.

  Just then, the door swung open, as James and Nell walked in.

  “I don’t want to stay here today, Daddy. Can I please go outside? I want to do something fun.” Nell said.

  “Well, I’m really busy today honey, but if Rachel wants to take the rest the day off, I’ll let her take you somewhere; it’s okay with me,” James said, as he was looking at me.

  “Of course, I’d like to take you out, Nelly-girl,” I said, watching her face light up brightly.

  “Really?” Nell asked, almost as if she didn’t believe what I was saying.

  “Yes, really. In fact, I know a bakery that’s not too far away from here that serves really great croissants,” I said. I knew Sadie would love to meet Nell, and I figured Nell might love to try the croissants instead of her customary peanut butter sandwich. This was the perfect opportunity to take her there. “That is,” I looked at James, “if it’s okay with your dad.”

  James smiled. “That’s okay with me, on one condition,” he said, immediately causing a look of concern on Nell’s face. “You may go, but only if you bring back a croissant for me,” he said.

  I laughed and agreed, and Nell just giggled in relief. We said our goodbyes and James headed up to his office, while Sadie and I headed out to my car.

  “Do you want to ride in my car or would you rather walk?” I asked Nell, wondering if it was too far for her since it was about seven blocks away.

  “Ooh, let’s walk!” Nell said, beaming.

  I could tell that she just wanted to spend some time outdoors. She had been cooped up quite a bit lately and was craving some time outside.

  “Okay, walking it is!” I said, and we started walking on down the street.

  As we walked, I thought about the different things I could ask her about to start a conversation. “How was school?” I asked.

  “It was good. Today was a kid’s birthday, so we got cupcakes at school,” Nell said.

  “Nice. Has that happened before?” I asked her.

  “No, his birthday is the very first out of all of our class,” she said.

  We made our way down the street making small talk. She told me all the ideas she had for what she wanted to do when she grew up. She wanted to be a doctor that also painted at the same time. I laughed at that. She was such a creative and unique little girl, and I loved that I got to spend so much time with her. I guess it helped that her dad was pretty hot, too.

  Arriving at the bakery, we walked inside.

  “Oh, my goodness. Who is this little cutie?” Sadie asked, coming around from behind the counter and walking over to us.

  “I’m Nell,” Nell said, holding out her hand.

  Sadie held her hand out as well. “Well, Nell, I’m Sadie. I’ve known Miss Rachel here for a very, very long time, and she’s one of my best friends.”

  “Is this your bakery?” Nell asked.

  Sadie nodded her head. “Yes, it is. What would you like? You may choose whatever you like,” Sadie winked at me.

  “I want a croissant, but do you have a chocolate croissant?” Nell asked.

  “Absolutely. They are my specialty,” Sadie said.

  Walking back around the other side of the counter, she went into the glass container and pulled out three chocolate croissants. She placed them carefully on plates, and popped them into the microwave for ten seconds, then pulled them out and walked back around the counter.

  “We can sit at that table over there in the corner,” Sadie said. The three of us walked over and sat down at the corner table Sadie had pointed to.

  Nell picked up her croissant and took a big bite. “Wow, this is so good!” Nell said.

  She quickly chewed up the bite in her mouth and went for another. I could tell that she really liked it, because of how fast she was eating it. It was much like how she had behaved with the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I’d first shared with her.

  “I really like your bakery,” Nell said. She was looking around at all the different decorations.

  “Did you know that I picked out the paintings?” I said.

  “You did? I really like them,” Nell said.

  “I’m glad.” I took a bite of my own croissant and was reminded how amazing they were, and once again didn’t understand why I didn’t indulge in them more often.

  “Don’t forget we have to get one for my daddy,” Nell said.

  “Yep, that was our deal,” I said.

  A young couple walked into the bakery, and Sadie got up to help them. They were ordering a gender reveal cake. Neither of them had any idea what the sex of the baby was, but I watched as they handed Sadie the envelope. They told her what they were looking for asked it if they could have it for an event next Saturday. Sadie finished up with them, attached the secret envelope to the order form with the details and put it in the order bin. She came back over and sat down next to us, then glanced at me with a small smile, which I returned.

  Nell finished her croissant and then looked at me, “Can I get something else, Rachel?”

  I shrugged, “I don’t see why not,” I said to her. Then I looked at Sadie. “What else do you think that Nell should try?”

  Without saying anything, Sadie got up and went back around behind the counter. When she came back a couple minutes later, she was carrying a cheesecake brownie on a plate. She set it down in front of Nell.

  “Wow, what is this?” asked Nell.

  “It’s a cheesecake brownie. It’s my specialty… I mean, besides the chocolate croissants. I have a lot of specialties. I hope that you’ll be able to try them all sometime. Not all at once though,” Sadie said.

  I already loved the way that Sadie and Nell were interacting. We spent the rest the day in Sadie’s bakery. It was fun. Sadie and I loaded Nell up with bunch of snacks, and I really hoped that James wouldn’t be upset about it. She seemed to be having a lot of fun, and I could tell that Sadie was really enjoying her time with Nell.

  Sadie packaged up a few more croissants. One for James, and a few for Nell and James in the morning.

  “You know, Rachel, you’ve convinced me,” Sadie started out. “I can really see how much Nell means to you. And I really do think that what you are doing is good for both of you. Obviously, Nell is in your life for a reason, and I really think you deserve it.”

  Tears threatened their way through, but I didn’t want to stand here and cry in the middle of Sadie’s bakery. She had customers all over the place. Plus, I really didn’t want Nell to see me crying because I didn’t want her to tell James, and I didn’t want to deal with that.

  “Thank you, Sadie. For everything.” I hugged my oldest, best friend, and then she turned and hugged Nell.

  “Thank you, Sadie, for the croissants. My dad’s gonna love them. They’re so yummy,” Nell said.

  Sadie got down to Nell’s level and gave her another hug. “You are welcome here anytime. You and your dad.”

  Nell hugged her back, and then I took the bag that Sadie had for us in one hand, and Nell’s little hand in the other, and we headed off down the street, walking slowly back to the art gallery. I figured the snail’s place the normally speedy Nell was moving had something to do with Nell not wanting to go back quite yet. She’d been having fun visiting with Sadie and me at the bakery

  “I’m going to be sad when Esther comes back,” Nell said.

  “What you mean?” I asked her.
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  “Well, when she comes back, then me and you won’t be able to spend that much time together,” Nell said.

  It kind of broke my heart, but she sort of had a point. “I will still spend time with you,” I reassured her. “I promise.” I didn’t want her to think that when Esther came back, I would never spend any time with her. Sure, we wouldn’t spend as much time together, but I would never give up on her. I would never cut her out of my life.

  “But I won’t get to see you every single day,” she said.

  “Well, maybe I can watch you sometimes so Esther can do some other things,” I said.

  “I’d really like that, Rachel. I like spending time with you,” she said. “You’re like my new mommy.”

  My heart broke for this little girl, and I knew my suspicions of her craving female attention had been correct. It wasn’t her fault, and it wasn’t James’s fault either. I think it was just something children went through who didn’t have a mother. I wanted to be here for her as much as I could, whether Esther was around or not. I was determined to stay in her life.

  When we got back, we went inside and headed upstairs to James’s office. Nell had already pushed her way inside, and luckily, it didn’t appear we’d caught him in the middle of something. At least he didn’t seem to be. I handed him the bag of croissants.

  “What’s this?” he asked, peering inside the bag.

  “Just some chocolate croissants that Sadie wanted you guys to have. One is for you now, and the others are for both of you in the morning,” I explained.

  “Thank you, Rachel,” he said, as he looked at Nell. “Were you good for Rachel?” he asked. I was going to answer for her, but I sensed that he wanted her to do the answering since he had asked her directly.

  “Yes, I think I was. Very good, actually,” she said, and then looked up at me.

  I nodded my head, “She was an angel, and my friend Sadie absolutely loved her,” I told him.

  “I’m glad to hear it. But it sounds like she’s always good for you,” he said with a laugh.

  “Maybe I just have a special touch,” I said, just messing with him. He laughed, and I was glad that he took my joke so well. Nell wasn’t my daughter and I was nervous that he might take it wrong.

  “Are you almost done with your work today, Daddy?” Nell asked.

  James placed a hand on Nell’s head and rubbed it gently. It was a small gesture, but it was really sweet to watch.

  “Yes, pumpkin,” he said.

  Nell beamed up at him. I could tell that the two of them had a really good relationship, and I hoped for his sake that it would always stay that way. For her sake too, of course, since her mom was no longer around. My heart ached for them every time I thought about that. I wondered what it was like for a little girl to grow up without a mom.

  “You can take off now, Rachel,” he said.

  I smiled at him and told both of them goodbye before I left.

  Chapter 19

  James

  I pulled up outside the school to pick up Nell. I waited in the long line until I was finally close enough for her to see me and walk to the car. I got out and helped her get into her booster.

  “How was your day, sweetie?” I asked her.

  “It was good, Daddy. Can I go to Kassondra’s house?” she asked.

  It took me by surprise because I wasn’t expecting her to ask me that. I looked at her in the rearview mirror. She looked so happy, and I was glad that she had a new friend. But it also left me feeling a little sad. She was growing up way too fast for me, and I wasn’t sure what I was gonna do when she started full-time school in first grade next year.

  “I’m not so sure. Does Kassondra’s mom or dad know about this plan?” I asked her.

  In the rearview mirror, I could see her nod her head. I picked up my phone and dialed Kassondra’s mom’s number, so I could confirm this for myself.

  She answered after the first ring, “Hello?” she said.

  “Hey. This is James, Nell’s dad. Right. Nell said that Kassondra wanted to have a sleepover. Were you aware of this plan?” I asked her.

  “Yes. She asked me last night. I told her it was okay with me. She told me that you’d already said yes. I wasn’t aware that you had no idea,” she said, apologetically.

  “That’s okay. Kids are funny that way. I’m assuming you’re also in line picking up Kassondra,” I said, and she laughed.

  “Yes, I am,” she said. “I’ll be home in a few minutes if you just want to swing by and wait for us.”

  “That’s okay. I’m gonna run by our house real quick, and grab a few things for Nell. Then I’ll bring her by,” I said.

  “Sounds good. We appreciate you sharing her with us. She’s a great little girl and a good friend,” she said.

  We ended the conversation, and I drove on towards our house. I called Rachel on the way to let her know that I was going to be a little bit later getting back to the gallery. Rachel, of course, had no problem with this, though she rarely ever had a problem with anything. I found I really liked that about her. She was so easy-going. But she was also still little mysterious, and that really made me want to find out more about her. And with Nell going to a friend’s house, I figured this might be the time to do that. It would be the perfect opportunity.

  Nell and I got out of the car and went inside. I told her to grab a few of her things that she wanted to bring, while I packed her a change of clothes, pajamas and a toothbrush. Then we got back in the car, and I drove over to Kassondra’s house. I got out of the car with her, and we knocked on the front door. As usual, we were greeted by both her mom and her dad.

  “Hi, Nell. James, it’s so nice to see you both,” her mom said to me.

  “Thank you, it’s good to see you too,” I said, and shook both of their hands.

  Kassondra came out and greeted Nell, and the two of them embraced, though they’d seen each other only a few minutes ago. I love that Nell had a best friend. It was really sweet. Nell was a good kid, and so far, Kassondra was too. I could tell the way her parents were with each other that they really were in love.

  I couldn’t help but watch the way they looked at each other, the way they touched each other, and the way they spoke. I could tell how in love they were and it broke my heart in a way. It made me miss Whitney a lot more. It was making me miss being in love.

  I said goodbye to Nell and left, then quickly drove on back to the gallery and went inside.

  “So, Nell is spending the night again?” Rachel asked me.

  I nodded my head. “Yep. So, you need to go get changed.”

  Rachel gave me a funny look. “What do you mean?” she asked.

  I stared at her for a moment and studied her face. She really was breathtaking, and I was ready to get to know her better. I was ready to spend time with her on an actual date.

  “I want to take you on a date,” I said, figuring being upfront and honest would be the easiest way.

  “Okay then,” she said.

  I told Rachel to go to her house and get changed, and that I would be there soon pick her up. She left, and I gave her exactly twenty-five minutes before I went over to her house and knocked on the door. She called out for me to come in.

  I stepped inside and waited in the living room. I liked her place. She had artwork hanging up on the walls. Just a few pieces, but nice ones. It was a subtle decorating style. She had framed pictures that I assumed were family and friends. Her with a girl, and a lot of them. One of a baby and one of an older couple that I assumed was her parents because they looked a lot like her.

  She came out of her room, and I was stunned. The dress she was wearing clung to her in all the right places, and she looked so beautiful. And hot. I couldn’t help it. The dress was a perfect fit, and her makeup and hair had been redone.

  “Ready?” I asked her with a smile.

  She nodded her head and smiled as we headed out. I took her to a restaurant that was downtown. It was a really nice restaurant, and one th
at had a lot of great reviews. We got a pretty good table near the back.

  “This place is so nice,” Rachel said, as she looked around the restaurant. I nodded my head in agreement with her. Our waiter approached and took our drink order, then walked away and I turned my attention back to Rachel.

  “You look absolutely beautiful in that dress, Rachel,” I said to her.

  She smiled at me. It was a breathtaking smile, just like everything else about her. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen in my life. I was glad that she was working next to me every single day. Her presence had really brightened up my days.

  “Thank you, James. You look pretty handsome yourself,” she said.

  “Thank you,” I smiled, knowing I was blushing.

  The waiter returned with our drinks and then took our food order. I was glad because I knew I’d now have some uninterrupted time with Rachel.

  “I hope this isn’t too personal,” Rachel started. “But does Nell ever ask about her mom?” She seemed like she was being guarded, like this question was hard for her to ask. But I liked that she was asking about Nell, and was worried about how Nell was coping.