“Could we, Daddy?” Mila got excited. “Can we take the horses again?”
“We’ll see.” I glanced up at Tara, who looked a bit nervous. “Would you even want to get on a horse?”
“I’d try it,” she said. “If you’d show me how.”
“I’ll have to teach you,” I said. “There’s nothing to it. And you can ride my mother’s horse. It’s really docile.”
“I’d love to meet your parents.”
“Oh, and I’m sure they’d love to meet you too.” They were both going to have a lot to say about her just showing up, but I needed to let them know it was all my doing. I’d sent her the ticket and asked her to come. They didn’t need to know the rest.
Mom would be happy for me, but my father? I wasn’t sure he was ready for me to move on with my life. He was always afraid that something was going to happen like it had with Heather. As if I only attracted bad girls. Tara was nothing like that.
We sat on the back porch until after dark and went back inside.
After a few minutes on the couch, Mila fell asleep next to me while I showed Tara some of Mila’s photos that her mother hadn’t found to destroy.
“She’s worn out,” said Tara. “She’s amazing.”
“Yeah, she’s everything. Now you see why I’m so protective?”
“Oh yeah, you’re just being a good father, Zane. I don’t hold that against you. I just hope you won’t hold what I did against me. I didn’t know what you had in mind. I was just being protective too. Of my heart.”
I held her hand. “I should drive you back to the hotel for tonight. Not that I don’t want you to stay, but—”
“Oh, yeah, I get it.”
“Well, it’s just if my parents knew you were here, they could watch her and we could go out if you want to. We could spend the whole night together, but I can’t just spring it on them after the long day they had. But no pressure. Don’t feel like you have to use your off time here.”
She smiled at me. “Of course, I’d like to go out and be here. I came here for you, Zane. I took a chance hoping you’d still want me.”
How could she think I’d ever stopped wanting her? “We have a lot to talk about then, don’t we?” I said. More than we had time for with my little girl around.
“Yeah, I guess we do.”
“Let me just get her to the truck. I’ll drive you back.”
“No, I’ll call a car.”
“She’s fine. She’s slept in the truck a lot, and I want a little more time with you.”
After carrying Mila to the truck, I drove Tara into town and pulled up at the hotel. “I can wake her, and we can walk you up if you want.”
“No, don’t wake her. Call me later?” she asked with hopeful eyes.
“Of course, I will.” She was about to leave, but I caught her arm and leaned in for a kiss. “Goodnight,” I whispered against her mouth before kissing her again.
“Fishing in the morning?” she asked.
“Yeah, if that’s what you want.”
“I’d love it.” She gave me another kiss and hurried out, shutting the door just hard enough to get the job done but not enough to wake Mila.
Watching her walk away was harder than I thought. I wanted her to stay the night with me. But first, we had to talk about things we’d left undone from Las Vegas.
I wasn’t going to pin her down to my life, especially if she wanted a different one.
Chapter 34
Tara
I couldn’t believe how adorable Mila had turned out. Not only was she an absolute doll, with curly brown hair and a cute dimply smile, but she wasn’t bratty at all. Not even when she could have been, asking about paints and fishing.
And Zane? Oh, man, did I miss that man? I couldn’t stop thinking about him the night before, and we texted until I fell asleep. I woke up to another one wishing me a good morning. He’d also reminded me to be ready for some serious fishing.
“You’re going where?” asked Karen.
“Fishing. You know, you bait a hook and throw it in the water and then wait for a fish to bite? Then you reel it in and—”
“I know what fishing is, smart ass. I just can’t believe you’re going to do it. It’s your vacation. Shouldn’t you be sipping cocktails at the pool? Have you seen that thing? It’s all indoors, and it’s gorgeous. The fountain is bigger than ours.”
“And I sit by a pool every single day at home. I came to see Zane, and besides, Mila wants to go.”
“Oh, I see. So it was the kid’s idea. I thought Mila was a girl.” She made a face. “That’s a funny name for a boy.”
“She is a girl, and I used to want to go fishing when I was younger. I think I got to cast once and I’ve wanted to since. It will be fun.”
Karen made a face. She was never the type to play in the dirt or to do anything a boy would do. “I thought you’d want to go down to the spa with me. There are some big strong men in this town. You could upgrade.”
“No thanks, I’m totally in with Zane. What happened to Finn?”
“He was a nice young man but too nice for me. I think he was falling in love. So I sent him away early. I just hope he got the hint, or this trip is going to be miserable.”
“I think you reap what you sow.” I went to see if I had a pair of shoes fitting a trip to the water. I had packed two pairs of jeans and a pair of comfortable sneakers. I decided that would have to do. I would have to ask Zane if he had an old T-shirt I could wear. Maybe he wouldn’t mind. I texted him to ask if he could bring one.
Before I knew it, he and Mila were at the door. Karen answered before I could get to it. “Come right in,” she said. “Well, aren’t you a pretty little girl?” she said to Mila. “My, I can see a resemblance.”
“Mila, this is Karen. She’s friends with Tara.” Karen smiled at the little girl, who smiled up at her with a big grin.
“Hi,” said Mila. “Do you want to come fishing too? We can share a fishing pole if you want?”
I glanced at Karen, but she was already shaking her head. “Um, no thanks, sweetie. I’ve got pressing business to take care of.” And by pressing, I assumed she meant her body against some stranger.
Zane handed me the T-shirt, and I was anxious to see what it looked like. It was grey and had a Clover Oil logo on the front. “It’s perfect, thanks.”
I went to put it on, and when I came out, Zane smiled. It was big on me, but I’d managed to tie it at the hip to make it work. “I’m ready when you are,” I said, grabbing my handbag. “I’ll see you later, Karen. Enjoy your day.”
“You too,” she said. “Try not to fall in.”
Zane gave me a strange look, and I shrugged. Karen was strange, and while I loved her company, she could be a handful.
We left the hotel and drove out to the stream. Mila had wanted to take the horses, but Zane said no. He had too much stuff to carry and didn’t want to deal with the horses. I was relieved. Fishing was going to be enough of an adventure, and since I wasn’t too comfortable around horses, having never ridden one, I was glad to ride in the truck, even if some of it was bumpy.
“Sorry,” said Zane, going over another bump.
“This isn’t the same stream,” said Mila.
“Yes, it is, Noodle. We’re just driving in instead of taking the horse path.”
“You will like it here,” said Mila. “There are pretty rocks in the water, and my Nana always takes some home. You should see the box she keeps them in. It’s so heavy. She’ll have enough to make a stream of her own someday.”
I glanced at Zane to find him smiling at Mila, and I didn’t think he’d ever looked quite as handsome. It was as if he hung on her every word, and she had him wrapped around her little finger.
When we got to the stream, I had to take more photographs. I had remembered to bring my camera and was excited to get such a beautiful day for photography.
I snapped a few, getting every angle, and Zane unloaded the fishing gear. “Do you need a hand?
” I asked, putting the camera down to go and offer a hand.
“No, I’ve got it,” he said. “Go ahead and take more. I’ll get your pole ready.”
“Thanks.” I looked over to see Mila playing in the stream, and she was like a little pixie dancing in a magical fountain. “May I take some of Mila?”
“If she wants. I’d love a copy.”
“May I?” I asked Mila.
“Sure,” said Mila. She didn’t look up or pose or anything, and in fact, she kept on doing what she had been doing, which was searching for rocks. “I’m looking for something to bring my Nana.”
“If you want to find her a pretty one, one that’s nice and flat, I could make her a pendant out of it. Then you could give her a necklace.”
“You know how to do that?” asked Mila, looking surprised.
“Yeah, it’s not too hard. I bet I could show you.”
“Will you help me look for rocks?”
“Okay, we’ll see what we can find before we start fishing.” I went to join her, slipping off my shoes and rolling up my pant legs.
“Oh, here’s a nice one,” I said. “See how it’s flat on one side? That will lay against her like this.” I held the rock to my breastbone.
“Oh, that’s going to be pretty. Can I have one too?”
“If you find another rock like this one, I can make you one.” I’d have to go and get some wire and cord, but I figured I could find it at the nearest discount store. Mila was having so much fun with the idea, and I wanted to make her happy.
After our rock hunt, we cast our lines, fishing and enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Zane applied sunscreen to Mila and offered me some, helping me to smear it on. Mila helped too, rubbing it on my arms.
We still managed to get sun-kissed but thankfully not too badly.
“Could you show me how to bait the hook?” I asked Mila, impressed that each time she needed more bait, she carefully did it all by herself.
“Sure,” she said. “The best way to do it is like this.” She positioned her tongue in the corner of her mouth and carefully held the hook. “Then you put it on like this, but watch that barb. You have to be really careful, or it will go through your finger, and you will cry.”
“Oh, okay, I think I can try it,” I said.
Zane handed me the end of my line, where he’d tied on my hook. “Take it slow,” he said, giving me a big smile as I did exactly like Mila had. “There you go. You’re a natural.”
I cast my line, and it wasn’t a minute later I was reeling in my first catch. “I’ve got one!” I screamed, and Zane laughed, quickly reeling in his own to help me.
“That’s a baby,” said Mila.
The thing felt a whole lot bigger than it was.
“You got a perch,” said Zane. “It’s a hefty one, though.”
“What are you going to name it?” asked Mila.
“Name it?”
Zane nodded. “Mila names the fish before she throws them back.”
“Oh, I see. Well then, in that case, maybe we should call him—”
“It’s a girl,” said Mila. “Can’t you tell?”
I gave Zane a strange look. “What do I do? Look under the tail?”
He belted a laugh. “It could be a boy, Mila.”
“I want it to be a girl.”
“That’s fine with me,” I said. “How about we name her Pearl? She has pearly scales.”
Mila giggled. “Pearl is a good name. Goodbye, Pearl. Don’t forget to write.” She looked up at me as if I was supposed to give a farewell wish also.
“Um, Pearl, be a good fish and live long and prosper.”
With that, Zane tossed it back in the water. “Born free,” he mumbled.
When Mila went back to fishing, I stepped over with Zane, who was getting a new hook by the truck. “Do you ever keep any?”
“When she’s not with me,” he said with a wink. “Maybe someday I’ll get to fry some up for you.”
“I’d love that.”
“Are you going to come and see me tomorrow?”
I smiled. “I told you. I’m here for you.”
“Good,” he said. “I like this.” He looked around us.
“Me too.” It was the kind of life I could get used to.
Chapter 35
Zane
After another long day of fishing and another drive back into town to leave Tara at the hotel, I went home and crashed. And when I rolled over the next morning to find Mila had made it as far as my bedside, I got up and scooped her up from the floor, blanket, unicorn, and all.
I carried her to her own bed, where I found she had piled every one of her stuffed animals in her bed with her the night before.
I held her close as I pushed them to the floor. Then I tucked her in.
“Daddy?” she said, stirring.
“Yeah. You don’t have to get up right now.”
“Is Tara coming over again today?”
I sat on her bedside, kicking one of the stuffed animals that had gotten underfoot. “Would you like that?”
“Yes, Daddy. I like having her around. She likes the same things I do, and she’s really nice.”
“She is, isn’t she?” She was amazing in many ways.
“Yes, and she’s pretty. And she likes you.” She giggled.
“I like her too.”
“Is she your girlfriend yet?”
“Are you sure you’d want that? I mean, having your old dad get a new girlfriend. It might mean that we have to share all of our time with her.”
“She’s fun. I don’t mind.”
“Well, that’s good because I really like her, Noodle.”
Now there were just two more people to talk to, and as if they read my mind, my phone rang. I went to my bedroom and got it off of the bedside table. “Hey, Mom.”
“Honey, I’m making pancakes, and you know I can never make just enough for two.”
“We’ll be right over. I’m sure we can help you with that problem. And if you’re not too busy, I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“Sure, honey. See you soon. I better get back to the griddle.” She ended the call, and I went to get dressed before going back to the living room to holler at Mila. “Get up and get ready, Noodle. We’re going to have pancakes at Nana’s house.”
“I’m ready,” she said, coming out of her room with a pair of blue pants and a striped shirt. It was the first time I’d seen her without her sparkle pants in a while.
“I like that on you,” I said, hoping to encourage her to wear something different. The only time she didn’t wear the sparkle pants, she had on a nightgown, and that was to wash them. Unless something had changed while I had been gone?
“I’m expressing myself,” she said. I liked Tara’s influence on her already. They had been good together, and I couldn’t wait to spend more time with her. “Are we going to Nana’s house now?”
“Yes. She’s making pancakes.”
“Good, I like Nana’s pancakes. Is Tara coming?”
“No, honey, and let’s not mention her at first. I want to talk to Nana and Pop-pop about her and make it a surprise.” I didn’t want them reacting in front of Mila. Hopefully, it would go well.
We loaded up in the truck and drove the short distance to my parents’ house. Dad greeted us at the door. “You’re just in time for yours, Ladybug.” My father picked her up and carried her into the kitchen as I followed. “Look at the strawberries. I know you’re going to love those.”
“Is there whipped cream too?” asked Mila.
“All you want,” he said.
“Not too much,” said Nana. She turned and looked at me. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you enjoying your time off?”
“So far, so good.”
“Did you ever hear from that girl you met? What was her name again?” She flipped over a pancake and poured another one.
“Tara. And yes, as a matter of fact, I have. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about later.” I glanc
ed at Mila.
My father looked up from the table. He had placed Mila in her chair and sat beside her. “Did she call you?”
“She went fishing with us yesterday,” said Mila. “I like her.”
My mom smiled, and my dad looked a bit surprised. “You mean she came here,” he said. “That’s pretty serious, son.”
“It’s just to see what we can make work. So far, it’s going well. She and Mila really like each other.”
“You mean you’ve already brought her to your home? To your child’s home?” Dad didn’t seem to like it, and I knew he worried that Tara might turn into Heather.
His temper got Mila’s attention. “She’s a nice lady, Pop-pop. She went fishing with me, and we looked for rocks. She’s making me a necklace.” She leaned up and whispered in his ear.
His eyes softened a bit, and I was sure she had said that Tara was making one for Mom. “Well, I’d like to meet her,” he said.
“We both would,” said Mom. “Why don’t you ask her to come over later? Your father was going to ask if you wanted to have a barbeque, and well, now we have a good reason.”
“I’m sure she’d like that. I’ll give her a call.”
“Where is she staying?” asked my father. I wanted to tease him and say in my bed, but I wouldn’t do it with Mila’s little ears, or my mother’s, around.
“The Heights,” I said.
“Hmm, well, at least she has good taste.”
“I’m sure she’s wonderful.” My mom smiled, and I noticed a little bit of a spring in her step as she finished the food.
We all had a wonderful meal, and my mom was particularly interested in our fishing trip the day before. “I had wondered why she looked a little pink,” she said.
“Yeah, I couldn’t keep her out of the water,” I said. “She had a lot of fun with Tara. They both like to paint, hunt rocks, and Mila even taught Tara how to bait a hook.”
“That’s my girl,” said Pop-pop. “Teaching that city girl how it’s done.”
“She’s a hard worker. She works as a waitress. I met her at the hotel I stayed in.” I gave a little smile, remembering the fun we’d had in that storeroom.
Tell Me No Lies Page 21