I turn and see Sutton smiling as she holds a basket with cotton balls, bandaids, and a few other things.
“Hey.” I nod curtly, not able to find my manners with the worry I have about getting this medicine to Penny as soon as possible so it can help bring her fever down.
“What’s wrong?” Sutton furrows her eyebrows, clearly noticing my tense mood.
“Nothing,” I wave it off. My problems aren’t hers.
“Are you sure?” She lifts her brows now.
“Yeah, Penny’s sick, and I need to pick up her medicine.”
“Hmmm… Yeah, that must be scary,” Sutton says on a nod.
“Yeah,” I sigh, running my hand through my hair and tugging at the roots.
“Be right back.” She smiles and walks to the front of the line. I lean to the side to see what she’s doing.
“Hi, ma’am. I hope you don’t mind, but would it be okay if my friend went next? His daughter is sick, and he’s worried about gettin’ her medicine to her quickly. It won’t take long, I promise. You should see him, I think he grew a few grays in the few minutes he’s been standing in this line,” Sutton leans in and whispers this last part, her southern drawl thick. I chuckle and shake my head.
“Of course, dear.” That’s when I notice Mrs. Engle, the owner of The Mad Batter, is next in line. I sigh in relief when Sutton waves me over.
“Thank you, Mrs. Engle. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I’ll go by and order a dozen cupcakes as soon as Penny is feeling like herself again.” I thank the woman who smiles and pats my arm, looking between Sutton and me.
“You’re lucky to have such a great friend.” The way she accentuates the word friend leaves the meaning weighing between us as if Sutton and I were more than that.
“Thanks,” I nod and look at Sutton with a smile. “Appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. Hope Penny feels better.” Sutton walks away, leaving me with more wrinkles on my forehead and Mrs. Engle with a huge smile.
With a bag of medication, I walk out of the pharmacy. Thankfully, the pharmacy was able to get the order the doctor called in ready by the time I picked it up.
“Gavin,” Sutton calls out, speed walking toward me. “I know you’re in a hurry, but I got this for Penny. I hope she feels better.” A soft smile appears on her face, and her hazel green eyes peer up at me.
“Thanks, she’ll love that.” I smile genuinely and hold the small stuffed chick she hands me. The plush toy tickles my palm as I hold it.
“It’s what they had since everything is Easter related, but I hope she likes it.”
“I’m sure she will. Thanks again for helping me back there.”
“Anytime. You must feel helpless, so the least I could do is help.”
I nod and take a deep breath before saying goodbye and peeling out of the parking lot and speeding home to see my little girl.
“How is she doing?” I ask my mom as I burst into the house.
This is the hardest part of being a father. The fear that hits me when Penny is sick is indescribable. I never thought I’d react this way to a stomach bug, the flu, a fever, any kind of illness. I still remember the first time she got a fever. It was after her mom had left us, and I was drowning in her cries, burning skin, and my own tears. It was then that I decided to move back in with my parents.
“She’s sleeping now,” my mom whispers in the hallway by Penny’s room.
“Good. I got the medication. Should I wake her up so she can take it?” The words rush out of me.
“Let her sleep. I gave her a fever reducer, and I’ve been monitoring it.” My mom gives me a small smile, knowing that when Penny is sick, it’s not just the worry about her health but the reminder that I wasn’t supposed to do this alone.
I scrub a hand down my face and shake my head. Right now, I need to focus on my daughter, not the past. It’s been five years since Hadley left us, anyway. I should be over it by now.
“Thanks, Mom. I’m going to sit in her room and watch her.”
My mom squeezes my hand and leaves me alone in the hallway. Taking a deep breath, I quietly walk into Penny’s room and place the corner chair next to the bed. I watch her small body curled into a ball and wish I had the power in me to right all the wrongs in the world, starting with getting rid of illnesses.
I lean my head back against the chair and clutch the yellow chick, the bag with medicine on the floor next to me.
Flashes of my life with Hadley pass behind my eyelids. I’d known her since we were kids and loved her since I was a teen. She was my world—the only woman I could ever imagine spending my life with. Getting married, having children, chasing our dreams together as we danced around our home, and laughed like all was right in the world.
Until all the laughter faded and the music died. Until she disappeared, taking all her belongings with her, and never looking back. Until all that was left was a screaming baby and a crying man.
To this day, I can’t understand what happened. How having everything we always talked about suddenly became something she wanted nothing to do with. She told me motherhood wasn’t what she wanted anymore. I’d heard about postpartum depression and read on it when Hadley got pregnant, so I could be prepared if it happened. But what Hadley felt wasn’t postpartum, it was a switch. A sudden urge to explore the world. A sudden feeling of being imprisoned by my daughter and me. Maybe the feeling that was growing inside of her wasn’t so sudden. Maybe we were too young like everyone warned us about. Maybe… Maybe our love wasn’t as strong as we thought it was.
I sigh and keep my tears trapped behind my closed eyes. Men are supposed to be strong, emotionless, invincible. When your heart is shattered, it bleeds the same regardless of gender or societal preconceived ideas.
“Daddy?” Penny’s tiny voice calls out.
“I’m here, sweetie.” I kneel on the floor by the bed and reach for her. “How are you feeling?”
She sniffles and scoots into my chest. “Bad.” The one word hurts more than losing Hadley.
“I brought the medicine the doctor prescribed. Let’s have it so you can feel great again. I promised Mrs. Engle we’d buy cupcakes when you’re feeling better.”
“Okay,” she sighs, not even getting excited at the idea of cupcakes.
Penny sits up in bed, and I hand her the small cup holding the right amount of medicine she needs to take. She swallows it on a grimace and coughs up.
“Can I have water?” Her brown eyes stare up at me. I smooth a hand down her messy locks and nod, standing.
I grab water and return to the room as fast as I can and hand her the cup.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome.” I smile, seeing some color back on her face.
“What’s that?” She points to the yellow stuffed chick on the chair behind me.
“That’s for you. I saw Sutton at the pharmacy, and when she heard you were sick, she got this for you.” I reach for the chick and hand it to Penny. Her small hands squeeze it as she brings it up to her face and rubs against the soft furry fabric.
“Famous Singer?” Penny uses her nickname for Sutton.
I nod, chuckling softly. “Yeah.”
“Thanks.” She hugs the toy to her and lies down again.
“Are you hungry?” I ask her before she gets too comfortable.
Penny shakes her head, her eyes drooping. “Can you stay with me?” she murmurs and scoots back on the bed.
“Yeah, sweetheart.” I toe off my boots and lie in bed with her, keeping my arms around her as her soft breathing fills the room and she’s asleep again.
Regardless of the shitty hand we were dealt, I’ll never regret having Penny. She’s the light in my life, and the only reason I was able to pick myself up off the floor when Hadley left. She’d already lost one parent, I wasn’t going to let her lose the other.
…
“How’s Penny?” Abbie asks me as she takes a sip of the iced tea my mom made this morning.
/>
“She’s better.” I nod and smile. “She’s been resting since yesterday and taking the meds she needs.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I got worried when my mom told me you went to pick her up from school. I know how nervous you get when she’s sick.” Abbie smiles sadly.
“Thanks. She’s going to be okay.” Right on cue, Penny stumbles out of the room and into the kitchen, holding the chick around one arm. She hasn’t let that toy go since I gave it to her yesterday afternoon.
“Hi, Abbie.” Penny drags her body toward me and climbs on my lap.
“How are you feeling?” I inspect her face, hair, body, looking for any signs. She spent the night throwing up and dry heaving until her tears stopped rolling down her cheeks. She was miserable, and all I could do was hold her.
“Better, Daddy.” She leans her head on my shoulder.
“That’s a cute chick,” Abbie motions to the animal.
“Thanks. Famous Singer got it.”
“Really?” Abbie’s eyebrows shoot up as she looks at me.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “I ran into her at the pharmacy, and she bought it for Penny when she heard she was sick. A get well soon gift.” I shrug.
“That’s sweet of her.” Abbie leaves it at that, but the smile on her face tells me she won’t let it rest forever. I’ll be hearing about this again, especially with Abbie’s recent determination to talk to me about Sutton and not-so-subtle hints about how great she is. Sutton may be beautiful and kind, but I’m not looking for a relationship.
After a couple of hours, Abbie heads home to work on photo edits, and I take care of Penny, grateful I was able to stay home with her today.
“Daddy, can I have lunch?” Her soft voice makes me smile.
“Of course. How do toast and soup sound?” I carry her to the kitchen and sit her down on the counter as I bring out the container holding the soup I made last night and a slice of bread.
“Thanks.” The chick sits on her lap, reminding me of the woman who gifted it to her so selflessly.
After warming up the soup on the stove and making her toast, I sit with Penny at the kitchen table and watch her eat, relieved her appetite seems to be coming back.
“You need to take your medicine again after you eat.”
“But I feel better already,” she argues.
“It’ll help make sure you’re completely healthy so we can buy cupcakes at The Mad Batter.”
“Today?” Her face lights up.
I chuckle and shake my head. “How about on Thursday we have a Daddy, Daughter cupcake date after school?”
“What day is it today?” she asks with small eyes.
“Tuesday,” I respond.
I see her doing the math in her head before she asks with raised eyebrows, “Thursday is in two days?”
“Yeah,” I smile, amazed by how much she learns and grows each day. Kindergarten has matured her so much. Preschool was great for her, but this past school year has taught her so much.
“Okay. I’ll be better by then,” Penny nods.
I smile and ask her what she’s going to name her new stuffed chick, leaning back into the chair as I hear her go through a ton of names but not settling on any.
“How about Singy?” Penny suggests. “You know, cuz Sutton is a singer.”
“If you love it, then I love it,” I smile, leaning in to check the temperature on her forehead with the back of my hand.
“Singy it is,” Penny cheers.
“Are you done?” I point to her half-eaten toast and empty soup bowl.
“Yeah. Thanks.” I grab the plates and wash them. When I turn back to face the table, Penny has her head down, half of it on the chick.
“Nap time?” I ask.
She nods slowly, and I carry her to her room, settling her on the bed and tucking her in.
“Can you lay down with me?” Her big, brown eyes blink up at me, and I smirk.
I get in bed with her and close my eyes as Penny places her head on my shoulder. Being a father leaves little room for much else in life. When I am social, Penny comes with me, or I grab a drink at Clarke’s after she’s gone to bed like the other night when Abbie demanded I join them.
Having her in my life is nonnegotiable, and she will always be my priority. Everything else in my life has had to be put on hold. Of course, nights out, drinks with friends, all of that was meant to be experienced with Hadley. Couples, date nights, trips as a family.
“Daddy?” Penny’s voice slices through my thoughts.
“Yeah?” I turn my head and look at her.
“You’re the best Daddy in the whole world.” Her gentle words fill me with peace.
“You’re the best daughter in the whole world,” I tell her. Her bright smile tells me she’s more than happy with that response.
“I love you.” Her arms wrap around my neck in a hug.
Holding her to me, I whisper. “I love you too, sweetheart. More than you’ll ever know.”
She’s worth the pain that has settled in my bones and never left since that dreadful day.
Gavin
Penny swings our linked hands as we walk down Main Street toward The Mad Batter. Her brown and pink square-toe boots pound the sidewalk as her steps speed up the closer we get to the shop. I chuckle to myself, relieved to see her feeling better. After staying home and resting, Penny was back to herself, and she returned to school yesterday.
“Hurry, Daddy, or it’s gonna close.” No longer swaying our arms, she walks in front of me, pulling me.
“We’ve got time,” I smile.
Penny insisted we came to The Mad Batter for our cupcakes right after school, but knowing her, she wouldn’t eat dinner had I done that. Instead, we raced home and ate an early dinner before heading out of the house.
Penny’s mouth splits into a huge smile as I help her pull the door open. Her eyes light up as if it’s been years since she’s been here—my little sweet-tooth girl.
“How are you feeling, Penny?” Mrs. Engle asks with a warm smile.
This shop has been around for years, and Mrs. Engle’s inviting warmth is the cause for people always coming back. Some people even visit from out of town to try her desserts.
“Good!” Penny hollers, and I quiet her down.
“Are you here for cupcakes?” Mrs. Engle looks at Penny then winks at me. Grateful, I nod.
“We’ll have a dozen,” I tell her. “What flavors do you want?” I look down at Penny.
She begins calling out flavors with extreme enthusiasm, causing a few locals in the store to laugh along with her. After filling a box full of vanilla, chocolate, lemon, red velvet, and carrot cake cupcakes, Penny and I take a seat at one of the tables with a juice for her and coffee for me.
“I like our dates,” Penny says around a mouthful of vanilla cupcake and a frosting mustache. Smiling, I wipe her mouth.
“I do, too, sweetheart.”
Penny places her cupcake on her napkin and swipes her hands before taking a sip of juice.
“How was school today?”
“Good. I had to take a math test that I missed, but it was easy.”
“That’s ‘cause you’re a smart cookie,” I wink.
“I rather be a smart cupcake.” She holds up her cupcake in front of her face and smiles.
“Smart cupcake it is.”
I finish my red velvet cupcake and lean back in my chair, watching my girl enjoy the heck out of that cupcake. It’s special to spend quality time with her, taking in every second as she grows up way too fast.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” Sutton stands next to our table, looking at Penny.
“Hi!” Penny sputters cupcake crumbs all over.
“Penny,” I warn. “Clean your mouth.” She grabs a napkin and swipes it across her face, spreading the crumbs even more. I lean forward and clean her up before looking at Sutton.
“Sorry about that.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “No need to apologize. If I
were eating a cupcake, I’d be more concerned about that than anything else.”
“Do you want one?” Penny asks, then looks at me quickly. “Is it okay to share with her, Daddy?” Her eyes round with hope.
“Of course.” I nod, tensing a bit.
“Oh, no.” Sutton waves her hand. “Thank you, but you two enjoy them. I just wanted to see how you were feeling,” she talks to Penny.
“Good. Thank you for the chick. I named her Singy after you since you’re a singer,” Penny explains with pride lighting up her features.
“I’m honored, and I’m glad you liked it. I hope Singy helped soothe you while you were sick.” Sutton squats in front of Penny with a gentle smile that reaches her eyes, her short wavy hair falling away from its place behind her ear.
I look away from her and scan the shop, catching Mrs. Engle’s wink. I roll my eyes and drink my coffee as Sutton and Penny talk.
“I’ll let you two get back to your cupcakes.” She stands and waves.
“Please sit with us,” Penny pleads, her hands clasped together in front of her chest. “Tell her, Daddy.” She looks at me with a pout.
“We’d love to have you sit with us. We’ve got way more cupcakes than we should eat. Consider it a thank you for helping me out the other day.” I motion to the empty seat between Penny and me at the round table.
“I don’t want to impose.” Sutton shifts on her feet, looking between us and the empty seat.
“No imposition, promise.”
“Thanks. Let me just order a coffee.” Sutton walks to the counter, and I watch as she interacts and laughs with Mrs. Engle. Lately, it feels as if Everton has been invaded with newcomers. While all of them have been great to get to know and spend time with, Sutton rattles me.
“Okay, I’m back.” She cradles a mug in her hands and sits with us.
“Have a cupcake,” Penny pushes the container toward her. “Daddy says it’s kind to share, especially with friends.” She smiles as she looks at me, proud of herself.
“Sure is.” I nod with a smile.
“Which do you recommend?” Sutton asks Penny.
“Vanilla is my favorite. My daddy loves the red velvet, and Grandma and Grandpa love the carrot one.” She scrunches up her nose, and I chuckle.
Then I Met You: A single dad romance (Love in Everton Book 6) Page 4