A Father for Bella

by Jill Weatherholt

  “In Heaven?” she whispered as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.

  “Yes.”

  “But I need Daddy next week.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The father-daughter dance at school,” she said with a sniffle. “It’s next Friday.”

  Joy had mentioned the dance. She’d hoped for Bella’s sake it wouldn’t be a big deal. Now, she wondered how she could have been so insensitive. She should have talked with Bella. “I’m sorry. Have your friends been talking about it?”

  She nodded her head slowly. “Yes—Mary did.”

  Her heart ached for her daughter. In the future, she’d experience all of these major life events without her father. So many times, Faith woke up consumed with thoughts of Bella’s first date, her first breakup, graduation from high school and, most important, her wedding. “Maybe I can take you to the dance, sweetie.”

  Bella giggled softly. “You’re not a daddy.”

  “I know I’m not, but they might make an exception and let a mommy come. Is there anyone else in your class without a daddy?”

  “No.”

  Feeling helpless, Faith bit down on her lip.

  “Mary says the daddy walks the daughter to get married. Who’s gonna walk me?”

  “I will, sweetie.” She snuggled her nose into Bella’s neck.

  “Mary said if you married Mr. Joshua, he could. Do you think he’d take me to the dance?”

  Faith’s stomach lurched at her question. “Sweetie, Mr. Joshua is a very busy man.”

  Her eyes brightened. “What if he doesn’t have anything to do that night?” Hope oozed from her eyes as she pleaded. “Can I invite him, please?”

  “You don’t want me to take you?”

  “No, it’s for daddies. We’d look funny dancing together.”

  “We do it together here all the time. What’s the difference?” she asked, knowing Bella wasn’t going to give up on her quest to have Joshua accompany her to the dance.

  “No one can see us here. Please, can I please ask him?”

  “I’ll have to think about it, sweetie. If not, we’ll do something really special the night of the dance.”

  Bella kissed Faith on the cheek. “Good night, Mommy.”

  Faith knew her daughter wasn’t happy with her answer. “Go say your prayers and I’ll come tuck you in shortly.”

  Bella climbed off her lap. Without another word, she slowly walked back to her bedroom, her slippers scuffing across the hardwood.

  Faith pressed her fingers to her temples. She didn’t have a good feeling about this. He’d probably say yes to her invitation, afraid to hurt her feelings, but what kind of message would it send to Bella? As her mother, she couldn’t let her daughter live in some fantasy world consisting of a future with Joshua as her father.

  * * *

  Joshua glanced at his watch—4:30 p.m. He’d finally reached the bottom of his to-do list. It had been a crazy Friday that started early this morning with several conferences calls with reputable contractors from the DC area. After Faith had informed him of her plan B, he was moving full steam ahead, hoping to be the highest bidder at the auction. Who knew, maybe once the dust settled, Faith would agree to come and work for him.

  Maybe.

  His emotions bubbled as he entered the Shenandoah Mall. Jessica lived to go to the mall—just another reason why she needed a man with a fat bank account. Not him. He’d quickly hit the biggest department store and scour the men’s department for a couple new dress shirts, a few sweaters and some dress slacks. He had a roast in the oven for the guests, so he’d have to hurry.

  As he strolled past the perfume counter, he turned in the direction of a familiar giggle. There was Bella squirting Faith with a tester bottle she’d grabbed from the counter. Stepping behind a nearby mannequin, he watched the mother and daughter as they moved down the counter and into the accessories area.

  Faith grabbed a large floppy hat and plopped it on Bella’s head. Bella, in turn, reached for a pair of oversize sunglasses. She slid them over her tiny face and began to imitate a model walking down the runway. When he laughed, a little too loud, they both turned in his direction.

  Bella smiled wide as she raced toward him. “Mr. Joshua! What are you doing in the ladies’ department?”

  Faith approached him—her cheeks crimson.

  “I was headed back to the men’s clothing and I heard your distinctive giggles.”

  “What’s stinctive?”

  He rubbed the top of Bella’s hat. “It means it could only belong to you.”

  Faith slid her hands inside the pocket of her black denim jeans. “We were just messing around...you know, girl stuff.”

  His pulse sped, which was becoming a common occurrence in her presence. He blamed it on the tension over the inn, but wondered if there was more to it. “Well, don’t let me interrupt. I need to pick up a few dress shirts and pants.” He felt a slight tug on the sleeve of his leather jacket and looked down at Bella.

  She removed the sunglasses. Her eyes were like saucers. “If you’re still here next Friday...”

  “Bella!”

  Joshua and Bella jumped at the sound of Faith’s voice. The elderly woman at the perfume counter turned toward the commotion.

  Faith shook her head. “No.”

  Bella’s lip quivered as Joshua knelt down in front of the little girl. Her hand shook when he placed it in his. He gave Faith a quick glance and turned his attention back to the child. “What is it? It’s okay, you can ask me.”

  Bella looked to her mother, who responded with a defeated shoulder shrug.

  When one lone tear ran down Bella’s face, his heart squeezed. He hated to see her in pain. “What about next Friday?”

  She wiped her eyes with her other hand. “If you’re still in town—” She paused, sniffed once and then again. “Would you take me to the father-daughter dance at my school?”

  Joshua’s thoughts drifted to his own childhood and the annual father-son softball game. His father had never showed. Not once. One year, he’d promised he’d be there to see his son pitch the opening inning, but as the hours passed and the sun began to set, there’d been no sign of him. Another empty promise had gone into the bottomless pit of disappointments. After all these years, the pain of watching all his friends with their fathers still caused a dull ache deep inside his stomach.

  Without looking at Faith, he made his decision. “Of course, I’ll go with you.” There was no way he’d inflict pain on this child, like his father had done to him over and over. “I’m honored you asked me.”

  Her face lit up like thousands of fireflies in an open meadow on a steamy summer night. Her mother, on the other hand, didn’t look too happy. Bella threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, thank you, Mr. Joshua.” She pulled back and peered at him. “We’ll have fun—I promise.” Bella turned to her mother. “Mommy, can I go try on some more hats?”

  Faith scanned the hat area a few feet away. “Yes, but don’t wander off. I need to speak with Mr. Joshua, and then we need to get back to the inn.”

  “Okay, bye, Mr. Joshua.” The girl turned and skipped toward the accessories, whistling.

  “You didn’t have to say yes,” Faith said as she kept an eye on her daughter.

  “There’s no way I’d turn down her invitation.”

  Faith pushed away a strand of hair that fell on her face. “That’s kind of you. I know how busy you are.”

  He knew the mall wasn’t exactly the best place to talk about the auction, but since she’d mentioned her plan yesterday, he hadn’t been able to get it off his mind. “Well, I guess you’re busy, too, with this plan B you were so excited about yesterday. Care to share it with me?”

  She threw her shoulders back. “Now, why would I do that—you’re my enemy.”

  His eyes narrowed. Wa
s it really what she thought of him? It was true they both wanted the inn, but it seemed a little harsh. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

  “It’s exactly how I feel. I’m prepared for a fight. I’m not going to give up, if that’s what you’re hoping for.”

  Joshua studied her face. Even wearing a scowl, she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. For a moment, he wondered, if they weren’t at odds over the inn, could a relationship develop? Who was he kidding? She couldn’t stand him. Besides, she’d only break his heart as Jessica had done. “By the look on your face, you look like you could fight now.”

  “I just want to be clear on where I stand.”

  He nodded. “Oh, yes, you’ve been very clear. Look, I know this is hard for you. The inn is not just your workplace but your home. Perhaps you can still work there after I take ownership—only if you want to.”

  Faith flipped her hair over her shoulders before placing both hands on her hips. “Work for you?” A blast of air blew through her lips. “That’s not going to happen—ever.”

  “I just thought I’d put the offer out there. It seems your options are fairly limited in this area. I’d like to make sure you and Bella are taken care of.”

  “Feeling a little guilty, are you?”

  Boy, was she fired up. He’d thought about presenting the option of her purchasing one of the condos he’d planned to have as rentals, but by the looks of the smoke coming out of her ears, now wasn’t the time. “Not guilty—I’m just trying to help you. Remember, this isn’t personal, Faith.”

  “We’ve been down that road already. I’ve got to go. I’ll finish up with dinner. You don’t need to come over.” She turned on her heel, then stopped and faced him once again. “The dance is at seven on Friday. Do you want to meet her at the school?”

  No matter their differences, when it came to Bella, he was going to do things right. “No, I’ll pick her up—if it’s okay with you, of course.”

  “That’ll be fine.” She turned and marched to her daughter.

  Joshua watched the two head toward the door. He thought his plan was a good one. She could continue to work at the inn and if she agreed, she could live there, too. Nothing would change. As he continued to watch mother and daughter, his stomach twisted. Who was he kidding? Everything was about to change.

  Chapter Ten

  “Oh, that man makes my blood boil.” Faith smashed the potatoes with the silver masher, using all her might. The early morning sun filtered through her kitchen window. For some reason, Joshua had insisted on making a traditional Thanksgiving feast for tomorrow’s Sunday dinner. He’d said he’d take care of everything if she prepared the mashed potatoes. It seemed like a lot of work for one meal, but he’d insisted there’d be leftovers to use for lunch the following day. The man seemed to have an answer to everything—or at least he thought he did. Oh, brother.

  “What man, Mommy?”

  Oops. She’d forgotten Bella was at the kitchen desk, coloring. “Why don’t you go back and practice your organ, sweetie? Aunt Joy and I have some business to discuss.”

  Bella did as she was told and carried her coloring book and crayons to her room. The door slammed and an off-key version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” echoed down the hall.

  Joy glanced toward Bella’s room as she strolled toward the coffeepot. “It sounds...different.” She poured herself a cup. “Maybe you should think about switching to decaf. You’re wound as tight as a grannie’s new perm this morning.”

  “I can’t help it—he’s so smug. He’s walking around town like a peacock, convinced he’ll be the new owner of the inn.” Faith put the bowl aside and paced the floor with her arms wrapped around her waist. His confidence seeped through his pores. Each day it grew more and more difficult to open her kitchen to him.

  “Joshua? Aren’t you being a little harsh—a peacock?”

  “Of course—him! The man I’m forced to see every day, right here under my own roof.” She bit down hard on her lip. “Do you know he had the nerve to ask me to come to work for him? He’ll probably expect me to rent some high-dollar, high-rise condos he thinks he’s going to scatter around Whispering Slopes. Could you see me—in a condo of all places?” she laughed. “No thanks, I like my living space to touch the ground.” The more she thought about it, the more her blood boiled. “He’s so sure he’ll get the inn he’s already trying to hire employees—including me!”

  “Maybe you misunderstood?”

  “No, I didn’t. He’s feeling guilty he might put me out onto the streets. Well, he should have thought about it from the start. And if he’s feeling so bad about it, why doesn’t he just forget about the inn and go back to wherever he came from?” Why did he have to come here? Yes, the inn would have still gone up for auction, but this man is someone she wasn’t sure she could compete with.

  Joy clasped her hands together and rested them on the table. “I still think you should tell him the real reason the inn is so important to you.”

  “No! It’s personal. He’s the last person I’d want to know about our dream. That’s between me and Chris.”

  She walked toward the table and sat down across from Joy. “Please, promise me you won’t say anything to him...or anyone.”

  Joy nodded.

  Bella’s organ continued to echo down the hall with the sounds of an unfamiliar tune.

  “Is there something else bothering you? You seem, I don’t know...extra twitchy.”

  Ever since Joshua had accepted Bella’s invitation, she’d had an uneasy feeling. She wanted to talk with Joy about it, but she’d been afraid of her reaction. What if she thought it was a good thing? She sucked in a long breath and, against her better judgement, began. “Yesterday, while Bella and I were at the mall goofing around in the accessories area, we ran into Joshua.”

  Joy snorted.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “He’s so manly, it’s hard to picture him strolling through the accessories department.”

  Faith swatted her sister’s arm. “Oh, brother...can you just stay with me here?” She did have to admit Joshua was masculine and protective—especially when it came to Bella.

  “Sorry—go on.”

  “Bella was so excited to see him.” She remembered the look on her daughter’s face. How her eyes lit up the moment she saw him, making Faith’s heart squeeze. “It was sad.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s getting so attached. She’s getting her hopes up that somehow, he’ll be someone permanent in her life...unlike her own father. The last thing I want is for her to be disappointed when he leaves.”

  Joy tilted her head. “Have you ever thought about the possibility he won’t?”

  She couldn’t think about that. If she did, it would mean she’d lost her home. He had to leave. “Well, he’s certainly not going to remain in town after I purchase the inn at the auction.”

  “Sis, I don’t want you to set yourself up for disappointment. Remember, this guy comes from money. He probably has a huge trust fund.”

  She refused to let her sister’s words cloud her mind. “I’m not worried about it.”

  “Okay, sorry to be a Debbie Downer. I just thought I’d remind you. Go on, Bella was excited and then what happened?”

  Faith leaned back and gripped the smooth edge of the table. “She invited him to go with her to the father-daughter dance next Friday.” Her chest ached at the words, but more because of his answer. “And he agreed to go.”

  Silence hung in the air as Joy digested the information.

  “You know what the funny thing is? He even seemed kind of excited about it.”

  Joy’s eyes bulged. “Oh, my—this is huge.”

  “Why?”

  She twisted a loose tendril of hair around her finger. “It means he’s getting as attached to Bella as she is to him...and maybe to you, a
s well.”

  Faith shook her head. “I seriously doubt the latter.” He didn’t strike her as a man who’d let anything get in the way of his business ventures. Perhaps it was why he was still single and didn’t have a family.

  “But don’t you sense he’s at least a little attracted to you?” Joy asked before taking a sip of her coffee. “I definitely see it.”

  “The only thing I am to him is an obstacle in his path to owning the inn.”

  Joy shook her head. “I don’t believe that. What about the day you ran out of the bank? He followed you and got into your car. He was obviously concerned.”

  She’d tried to block the day out of her mind. Being denied a loan was one thing, but for Joshua, of all people, to have witnessed her meltdown...that was even worse. She’d been mortified. “Doubtful—look, he knows what he’s doing is wrong. He only came after me to make himself look better. The man couldn’t care less about me.”

  “Well, either way, I think it’s sweet Bella invited him. Imagine the pain of hearing all your little girlfriends chattering about the dance, and you can’t go because you don’t have a daddy. It’s heartbreaking.”

  Faith knew how much this meant to Bella, but she couldn’t help thinking this sent the wrong message to her. “So what happens if they do go together and she has a great time?”

  “What on earth would be wrong with that?”

  “Then he leaves town, leaving me with a brokenhearted little girl.” The thought turned her stomach upside down.

  The cordless phone chirped. Faith pushed herself out of the chair and glided across the hardwood toward the desk. “Hello?”

  “Faith, it’s Joshua.” His tone was smooth, yet unsettling.

  “Hey, what’s up?” Her voice cracked.

  “I’ve been thinking about Bella’s invitation.”

  Great, he’d finally come to his senses. This was a big fat mistake. She’d been a fool to ever consider it. “Yes?”

  “I thought you might be a little uncomfortable, you know, with me picking Bella up and driving her to the dance. After all, it’s not as though you know a lot about me, other than the fact that I can cook.”