He placed the blocks back on Drew’s tray. “No wife?” Daniel’s eyebrows rose.
“Not anymore. She walked out on them a few years ago. He’s a photographer, so he used to travel all the time. He hired a nanny and took Katie with him on photo shoots for a while, but it got too crazy and he wanted someplace stable to raise her, so he moved back here a year ago. His mom was looking to move into an adult community, so he just bought the house from her.”
She sure seems to know a lot about Bob. “You got all this from a ten minute wait for a tow truck?”
“Well, no. By the time the tow truck came and I paid him, the girls were starving so we stopped at a coffee shop for lunch.”
Daniel’s stomach twisted from a mixture of hunger and tension.
“Ella and Katie really get along well. I’m so glad she’s already made a good friend.”
“Me too.”
“Would you mind if I invite them for dinner? To thank Bob for today? I couldn’t even pay for lunch. I had no cash on me, and the coffee shop doesn’t take anything else. I’ll have to remember that.” She carefully laid chicken cutlets in the frying pan. They sputtered, flecks of oil flying in every direction. She jerked away from the spitting.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She moved a cutlet over with the edge of a spatula, making room for the last one. “So can I ask them? About dinner?”
“Sure,” Daniel said.
Ella skipped into the kitchen holding a stuffed bear. “Hi Daddy.” Ella attached herself to his leg. “Did you have a good day at work?” Just like her mum.
He stroked her hair. “I did. How was your day?”
“Our car broke, but we got to have scrambled eggs at a restaurant.”
Daniel smiled. Her version of the day sounded much less threatening.
Marienne flipped the cutlets, and they sizzled loudly. Daniel drew Ella away from the stove so she wouldn’t get spattered.
“When’s dinner?” Ella asked. “I’m hungry.”
“In about five minutes. Can you help Daddy set the table?”
Ella nodded and placed her bear on one of the kitchen chairs. Daniel reached into the cupboard for plates and put them on the counter. Ella placed them on the table one by one and started folding napkins.
Marienne reached into the big kitchen drawer and handed Daniel three forks and two knives. “Ella would you like it if Katie and her dad come for dinner one night?”
“Yes.” Ella bounced up and down.
“We’ll have to ask them when they can make it. Maybe Thursday.” She turned to Daniel. “Would Thursday be okay with you? Bob photographs weddings on the weekends, so I think it would have to be a weeknight.”
“Whatever you like,” Daniel said, though he didn’t like it at all. Something about Bob wasn’t sitting well with him. Maybe I’ll like him better after I meet him. “Do you want me to call the shop? Check on your car?”
“They’re closed now. I doubt they’d answer. Don’t worry, Bob said he’d call them tomorrow if I haven’t heard from them yet. He went to high school with the owner. He said he’ll give us a ride to pick it up too.”
“I can take you in the afternoon if it’s ready. I have three hours between classes.”
“I don’t want you to have to drive back and forth. I know you’re still getting settled. Bob said it’s no problem.”
Bob said. The two words aggravated Daniel beyond reason. I really hope I like him better after I meet him.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Daniel heard a car pull into the driveway.
“They’re here, they’re here.” Ella scampered down the stairs.
Daniel walked toward the foyer just in time to see Ella opening the door. A platinum blonde girl a few inches taller than Ella bounded into the house.
“Let’s go up to my room,” Ella said.
“Daddy, can we?” Katie asked.
“Yeah, Daddy, can we?” Ella echoed her friend’s question.
“Sure,” Daniel said, “just come down when mum calls you for dinner.”
“We will,” they called in unison, already half-way up the stairs.
“You must be Daniel.” Bob extended his hand as he stepped inside the house.
Daniel shook it. “And you must be Bob.”
“Come in the kitchen, guys.” Marienne’s voice wafted down the hall.
Daniel motioned for Bob to go first. He followed him. He was taller than Daniel had expected. Almost his height. But broader. And much tanner and blonder than anyone else he’d seen in New Hampshire. He looked like a sunscreen model.
Bob set a bottle of wine on the kitchen counter. “I brought this,” he said. “It’s from a local vineyard. A friend of mine owns it.”
Of course. Bob knows everyone. “Would you like a glass? Or a beer?”
“Beer would be great, thanks.”
Daniel opened the refrigerator and grabbed three beers. He opened one and handed it to Marienne.
“Thanks.” She smiled as she took it. She sipped a mouthful then went back to tossing the salad.
He handed one to Bob, but decided to stay closer to Marienne.
“It smells great in here.” Bob twisted the cap off his beer and took a swig.
Daniel couldn’t help noticing the way he looked at Marienne. So intent. Stop staring at my wife.
“I hope you like pork,” Marienne said. “I wasn’t sure if Katie would eat it, so I made homemade mac and cheese too.”
“Katie’s not a picky eater, which is good because I can’t cook too many things. We eat a lot of takeout. And I’ll eat pretty much anything. I had no choice when I used to travel so much.”
“Marienne told me you were a photographer.” She tells me everything.
“Still am. Only now I do portraits and weddings instead of safaris and magazine shoots. How do you like it over at the University?”
“It’s great. I studied under the department chair in grad school, so we’re old friends.” You’re not the only one who knows people.
“I had some friends who went to Dartmouth. I’m a UCLA man, myself. Headed out to California right after high school. I’m still amazed I graduated. Came pretty close to becoming a professional beach bum.”
That would explain the tan. And the hair.
“I think we’re ready to eat. Daniel, can you call the girls down?”
“Sure.” He headed for the hallway, eyeing Bob as he passed. “Ella, Katie, dinner’s ready.”
He saw Bob carrying the salad bowl to the table, and his nostrils flared.
“What else can I do?” Bob asked.
“I’ve got everything,” Marienne said. “Just have a seat.”
She was carrying the roast. Daniel took it from her and placed it in the center of the table. She brought over the macaroni and cheese and gravy bowl.
“Oh, the carrots.” She went back to the stove and returned with another bowl.
Ella and Katie scurried into the room.
“What would you girls like to drink with dinner?” Marienne asked. “Milk? Juice? Water?”
They whispered to each other. “We’ll have milk, please,” Ella said.
Marienne went to the fridge to pour them milk while Daniel started to carve the roast. She set the plastic cups down in front of the girls as he finished slicing. He placed his hand near the small of her back as she lowered herself into her chair then sat down beside her.
“Everything looks great.” Bob smiled at Marienne.
She popped open a jar of baby food and began spooning it into Drew’s mouth.
Daniel noticed Bob watching Marienne again. “Why don’t you let me feed him so you can eat first?”
“Oh don’t worry,” she said. “He’s already had cheerios and some banana. He’ll be full after a few bites. You go ahead.”
“Gets a lot easier once they’re old enough to feed themselves.” Bob scooped macaroni and cheese and carrots onto Katie’s plate. “Ella, would you like some too?”
“Salad?” Daniel asked, handing him the bowl, trying to get him to focus on something other than Ella or Marienne.
This is going to be a very long meal.
Hours later Bob left and Daniel breathed a sigh of relief.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Marienne asked as she placed the leftover cupcakes into a Tupperware.
“Mmmm.”
“Oh, come on. The girls are so cute together.”
“True.” Daniel had to admit Katie and Ella made a great pair.
“Well I’m glad we had them over.” Marienne ran her hand up Daniel’s back and he pulled her in for a kiss.
I’m glad he’s gone. “Do you want me to put the kids to bed?”
“No, I’ll do it.”
He kissed her again. “Okay, I’m going to check emails then I’ll meet you upstairs.”
She rubbed his back in a way that made him hope the kids went to sleep extra fast.
Daniel sat at his desk sorting through quizzes as he waited for his email to download. He scrolled through the new messages and wrote a few quick replies, anxious to go up to bed. Just as he was shutting down his computer, the phone rang.
He picked up on the first ring, hoping the sound hadn’t awoken Drew or Ella.
“Daniel Gardner, please.”
Not recognizing the voice he assumed it was a telemarketer and rolled his eye. “Speaking.”
“This is Lawrence Todd, I’m calling about Pregnant Pauses.”
****
Marienne couldn’t imagine what was taking Daniel so long to come upstairs. If he’s not here soon I’ll be fast asleep. She tiptoed down the staircase, avoiding the step that had a tendency to squeak. As she neared his office, she realized Daniel was on the phone.
She lingered in the hallway.
“Yes,” he said. “Absolutely. Thanks for the call. I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.”
Peeking around the corner, she saw him place the phone back in the charger.
“Who was that?” she asked. His face was a mixture of shock and happiness.
He raked a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “That was someone from the film studio. Pregnant Pauses has been green lighted. They want to film it.”
Marienne felt her jaw drop. “Oh my God, that’s great.”
“Yeah.” His head continued shaking, like he couldn’t quite believe it. “I mean, I think it is. We actually need to discuss this. They said they’d need me to come out to California a few times.”
“Can you do that with your class schedule?”
“He said they could work around that. I’m more concerned about leaving you and the kids. We’re barely settled here, I don’t know—”
“Daniel.” Marienne sat down on his lap and curled her arm around his neck. “We’ll be fine. Someone wants to turn your screenplay into a movie. We already knew this was a possibility.”
“A remote possibility. I honestly never thought it would actually turn into anything.”
“You underestimate yourself.”
Daniel shrugged. “I know how ridiculously competitive this business is. It seemed like a long shot.”
“Well I’m not surprised at all. I married a very talented man.” She ran her fingers through his silky hair.
“You’re sure you’re okay with my being away sometimes. I don’t have to say yes, you know.”
“Of course you’re saying yes. Daniel, I’m so proud of you. Do you know how many people dream of having something like this happen?”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing, aren’t you excited?”
He paused and she realized he hadn’t even thought about that yet. A smile crossed his face. “Actually, yeah, I am.”
“You should be. This is huge.”
“I know, but nothing is more important to me than you and the kids.”
Hearing him say that made her heart swell. She looked into his eyes, seeing the mix of emotions in their depthless green. “And we’ll always be waiting for you when you get home.”
Daniel tugged her closer, his nose grazing hers. “I am officially the luckiest man in the world.” He kissed her, his tongue sweeping over hers, his hand skimming her ribs beneath her shirt, making her forget that the thought of him traveling actually did make her nervous.
“You keep kissing me like that and you’re gonna get a whole lot luckier in a few minutes.”
The mischievous grin on his face sent tingles through her from head to toe. “That’s exactly what I was counting on, Mrs. Gardner.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Marienne couldn’t get over the array of fall colors. The trees glowed like fire as the sunlight filtered through them. She drove the kids to the park for an afternoon of fresh air. Leaves rushed all around her car as she parked in her usual spot. She hadn’t even lifted the hatch half way when she noticed Bob beside her. “You scared me,” she said.
“Sorry. I saw your car pull up. Do you need help with the stroller?”
“I’ve got it.” She swung it onto the pavement and popped it open.
Bob waited for her to grab the diaper bag then closed the door for her. His strong arms flexed, and she noticed he wasn’t even wearing a jacket, only a t-shirt.
“Aren’t you cold?” she asked.
He laughed, his sun streaked hair swept across one eye as a gust of wind blew by. “I don’t get cold until sometime in January, when it’s been below zero for at least a few days straight.”
Marienne felt her jaw drop. “Is that typical up here?”
“That’s why your house has all those fireplaces.”
She loaded Drew into the stroller and headed to the park bench. Ella and Katie were already sitting under the monkey bars chatting.
“What’s this?” She pointed to the leather portfolio on the bench.
“I brought some pictures for you to see.”
“Your photographs?”
He nodded, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. He seemed so eager to talk. Must be lonely only having Katie to chat with. She made a mental note to ask Daniel if there were any single women who might be a good match for Bob.
She unzipped the leather book and drew in a quick breath. The first image was a cascading waterfall, the second a lush purple sunset. “These are beautiful. Were they taken when you were doing location shoots?”
“Nope.” His grin widened. “This is my local album. Both of those shots were taken within twenty minutes of here.”
“Really?”
“That’s why I brought it. I don’t think you appreciate all NH has to offer. You seemed a little down the last time we talked.”
Marienne felt her cheeks color. “Oh, not really. I just found out Daniel’s going to need to do some traveling in the next several months, and I hate it when he’s away from home.”
“Where’s he headed?” Bob’s light eyes focused on hers, keeping the flush in her face.
“California. His screenplay is being filmed, and they need him to attend some meetings.”
“Wow. So he’ll be famous.”
Marienne hadn’t given that much thought. “I guess.”
“It’s not easy getting a script picked up. That’s pretty impressive.” Bob shifted his attention to the girls. “Not too high.”
Ella and Katie had climbed to the midway point on the jungle gym. They scrambled down and ran to the swings.
Marienne flipped through the rest of the portfolio. She couldn’t believe all the pictures had been taken nearby. Mountains, rock formations, fields of flowers, streaky sunrises, seemingly endless lakes. It was all breathtaking.
“If you see someplace you particularly like, tell me. A lot of these spots make great day trips.”
“That
will probably have to wait until spring. I get the feeling Daniel’s not going to have much free time until then.”
“We could go. With the girls.”
“Oh.” Marienne wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Before she could give it any thought, Drew awoke with a cry. He held his arms straight out. She picked him up and cuddled him, fumbling in the bag for a bottle. She held it to his mouth but he shoved it away, tugging at her shirt. Her cheeks colored again as she rubbed the silicon nipple against his lips, praying he would take it. He took one tentative suck then started to wail. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Babies cry, I remember. What’s the matter little guy? Teething? Tummy ache?”
“He’s just hungry, and he doesn’t really like the bottle.” She felt the flush in her cheeks darken as she watched Bob process what she’d just said.
“Ah, more of breast man, is he?”
She laughed. “Definitely.”
“Well I think it’s great you nurse him. My wife tried with Katie, but she didn’t have the patience for it. Gave up after two weeks.”
Drew continued to howl, and Marienne propped him on her shoulder, patting his back.
Bob caught her eyes again, the sunlight making them an impossibly pale shade of blue. “I don’t mind, you know. If you want to feed him.”
She felt like she was never going to stop blushing. “Oh, thanks, but I think he’ll take the bottle after he’s cried this out. Besides, I’d probably freeze to death if I had my shirt half open.”
A smile flickered across Bob’s face, and she realized she’d probably just made him picture her breasts. What’s wrong with me? She propped Drew on her lap so he was facing the park and not her chest. As soon as he caught sight of Ella, he let out a giggle. Marienne took advantage of the mood swing and held the bottle in front of him. He latched on with renewed fervor.
Bob watched him intently. “He sure seems taken with his sister. He’s lucky. I wish Katie had some siblings. Doesn’t look like that’s in the cards though.”
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