Daddy Next Door

by Carol Voss

  “Indirectly, Shelby was the reason for that, too. After her death, I needed a break from the city, a chance to get my head together. A buddy invited Hope and me to come here on a fishing trip with him and his family. Turned out the Courier was for sale. I liked the area so much that my buddy and I joked about me buying the paper and moving to give him and his family a place to stay when they came here.”

  “So you did?”

  “Not then. Even though raising Hope in the city bothered me, housing for the homeless had become such an important part of my life that I didn’t want to leave it. It took me three years of coming back for vacations. Every trip, Hope and I found something else to love about the area, and the paper was still for sale. The challenge of taking on the business end of a small newspaper as well as continuing to write intrigued me.”

  “What finally changed your mind?”

  “I met a force of a woman named Lou at church when I was here on vacation. She was interested in doing something about the shortage of housing in the area, so I told her about my experiences in Chicago. Together, we formed a group of interested church people, and the Reclamation Committee was born.”

  “Reclamation Committee?”

  “The plan is to reclaim old buildings and make them into as many apartments as space allows. We fix them up, keep rent low and use rent money to fund our next project.”

  “Pretty ambitious project for a church committee, isn’t it?”

  He gave a nod. “Lot slower going than we’d ever imagined, too. But we finally managed to raise enough money to buy our first building. We’ve gutted it. The only thing keeping us from finishing the job is coming up with enough money for supplies and appliances.”

  Alyssa smiled. “So you’re happy with your decision to move.”

  He nodded enthusiastically. “I figure God wanted me here. He’d provided the place, the people, the job, the church and last but not least, the low-income housing project that sealed the deal.”

  “Well, I’m glad you moved here,” she said sincerely.

  He grinned. “So am I.”

  No question in her mind, Ben was a man who cared enough to put himself on the line. He cared about everybody from the homeless girl on the streets of Chicago to the baby he’d adopted as his own to the big yellow dog asleep at his feet. Apparently, he didn’t look at inviting strangers into his home for the night as anything out of the ordinary.

  Maybe she should relax and accept his hospitality as if meeting such an extraordinary man was something she did every day.

  * * *

  Following smells of bacon and fresh coffee, Alyssa trudged down the open stairs in Ben’s great room. Apparently, he’d already started breakfast even though she’d told him she would do it.

  Robbie cooed happily in the car seat bumping against her leg. But the cloudy sky and agitated, gray lake outside the floor-to-ceiling windows more closely matched Alyssa’s mood.

  Of course, her problems were no more manageable this morning than they’d been last night. What was she going to do? Was the cottage too damaged to be repaired? Heaviness settled in her chest at that thought.

  She couldn’t think that way. She had to make it work. And she would.

  And regardless of whether the cottage could be repaired, she needed to find an inexpensive place to live. Making Cam’s life insurance settlement last was crucial. So she needed to find a job and day care, which could take a while. Especially a job that would allow her as much time with her boys as possible. She blew out a breath. There was no way she’d get it all pulled together by Christmas now, was there?

  Approaching the kitchen, she heard Joey’s voice. She was still puzzled over his willingness to follow the big yellow dog downstairs this morning without needing her to go with him. What happened to the separation anxiety he’d been struggling with since Cam’s death?

  Nights had become such a heart-wrenching issue that she’d finally allowed him to sleep with her. Otherwise, he’d always ended up on her bedroom floor by morning anyway.

  But last night, he’d ridden to the clinic in Ben’s truck without complaint. And this morning, he was downstairs without her. She was almost afraid to read these developments as a good sign. Taking a shaky breath, she walked toward the commotion in the kitchen, the scene from the doorway stopping her in her tracks.

  Ben’s broad back to her, he stood at the stove in a dark blue sweater, his black hair shining in the dim glow from the skylight above. With a flourish, he scooped up a very small pancake from the griddle and flipped it into the air. “It’s up, it’s over and it’s a safe landing for one more silver-dollar pancake with Joey’s name on it,” Ben announced in the excited tone of a sports commentator as he caught the pancake on a plate in his other hand.

  Hope began clapping.

  The dog lay at her feet, thumping his tail. He rolled friendly brown eyes at Alyssa as if this foolishness went on all the time and was nothing to get excited about.

  “And it’s another silver-dollar pancake taking to the air at warp speed.” Ben flipped a pancake high, too high. “Whoops.” He lurched to position the plate under the falling disc—and caught it.

  Sitting on a stool beside Hope at the island counter, Joey watched wide-eyed as if trying to figure out how he should react to all this exuberance.

  “Coop saves another rebel from biting the dust!” Hope yelled. Laughing and clapping, she began to chant. “Go, Coop. Go, Coop.”

  As if taking his cue, the dog jumped up and barked loud enough to shake the house.

  Robbie let out a piercing screech of outrage, then held his breath.

  Ben turned from the grill, alarm and confusion written plainly on his face.

  Brushing past the dog, Alyssa hurried into the kitchen and set the carrier on the island. Murmuring assurances, she snapped open the safety strap and clasped her baby to her.

  Joey scrambled to stand on his stool and held Braveman up for Robbie to see. “Don’t be scart, Robbie. Braveman’s here.”

  The baby caught his breath and wailed. It was going to take more than his big brother and his superhero to convince Robbie everything was right in his world. Alyssa cuddled his tense body to her shoulder, stroking his back. Three pairs of guilty eyes watched, four if she counted the dog. Robbie’s cries thinned and finally stopped.

  “He was crying too hard to see Braveman, Mommy.” Joey sat down. “Digger didn’t mean to scare him.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. Robbie’s fine.”

  “I guess we got carried away, huh, Dad?”

  Ben arched an eyebrow. “I hope we didn’t traumatize the little guy.”

  “He’s not used to so much excitement, that’s all.” Hugging Robbie close, Alyssa settled onto a stool beside Joey. “I thought you were going to let me cook breakfast.”

  “You have the baby to tend to. I wake up at the crack of dawn, so I have plenty of time.” He set a steaming mug of coffee in front of her. “Cream or sugar?”

  “You don’t need to wait on me.”

  “You’re my guest. Cream or sugar?” he repeated.

  She sighed. “Black, thanks.”

  “So, enjoy your coffee.”

  She took a sip, the robust flavor warming her as much as the temperature. “It’s wonderful.”

  “Ben found Braveman in Gram’s kitchen,” Joey said.

  “Don’t worry, we gave Braveman a bath.” Ben flashed her a grin that stirred her pulse.

  Oh, please. Really? Feeling a connection with him wasn’t enough? Now her pulse was responding to his smile? A man...any man...was the very last thing she wanted in her life. How would she ever learn to stand on her own with somebody rushing in to rescue her every time things got difficult? Ignoring her pulse, she focused on Joey. “Did you thank Ben?”

  “Thank you.”

&n
bsp; “You’re welcome.” Ben turned to the griddle, scooped pancakes and bacon onto plates and set them on the island counter. “Maybe you’d rather have grown-up pancakes?”

  “Absolutely not. Silver dollars sound intriguing.”

  “Well, eat up while they’re hot.” He turned back to the grill and poured batter that sizzled and sent more mouthwatering steam wafting over his shoulder.

  Alyssa laid dozing Robbie into his carrier and moved him to the table, out of the line of fire but close enough to keep her eye on him.

  Hope held up a glass container filled with syrup. “Everybody want maple syrup and melted butter on their pancakes?”

  “Let me do that, Hope.”

  “I got it.” Hope deftly doused everybody’s pancakes with the butter-syrup mixture, then pushed plates to Alyssa and Joey. “There you go, sport.”

  Joey grimaced. “I’m not sport. I’m Joey.”

  Alyssa settled onto the stool beside him. “Hope’s just having fun with you.”

  Joey squinted as if trying to understand. “Like a joke?”

  “Yes, like a joke.” Alyssa took a bite that melted in her mouth. “These are delicious.”

  “Secret recipe.” Ben glanced over his shoulder, his lips quirking at the corners. “Right off the Bisquick box.”

  He had the most disarming way about him. Strong, kind, warm. She took another bite. And another. She sipped her excellent coffee. And she watched Ben scoop pancakes and refill plates like a good host, without once allowing herself to jump up and help.

  Good thing he made everything look fun and easy. A single father and yet, he’d created the coziest, most relaxed kitchen she’d ever been privileged to eat breakfast in. The kind of kitchen she wanted to make in Gram’s cottage.

  Provided it could be repaired. “Now that the sun is up, I need to take a look at the cottage.”

  “I checked it this morning,” he said. “No frozen water pipes, but daylight didn’t do much to improve it, I’m afraid.”

  “I’m going to have to hire somebody who knows construction.”

  “Dad knows construction.”

  Ben held up his hands. “Some.”

  “More than some, Dad,” Hope scolded. “We tore down the shack that was here, and like I told you last night, Dad built our house,” she said proudly.

  “I mostly did the grunt stuff.”

  Capable and modest, too? “Do you have any idea how much money it would take to repair the cottage?”

  “Mommy,” Joey said timidly, “can I go outside and play with Digger?”

  “We need to finish eating.”

  “When I’m done eating, can I? Please?”

  She liked the big Lab, but she couldn’t depend on him to keep Joey safe. “We need to stay inside with Robbie, honey.”

  Ben topped off her coffee before she even thought about doing it. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

  “I ate earlier.” He turned to his daughter. “Hope, are you ready for church?”

  “Yes. I’ll go outside with him.”

  Alyssa doubted Joey would go with Hope.

  “Can I go with Digger and Hope, Mommy?”

  Alyssa blinked. What had gotten into him? He really was ready to break away from her? She’d be all for it, but... “Hope, you don’t have to do that.”

  “It’s cool. Digger always needs exercise in the mornings anyway.”

  “Would you like to go to church with us, Alyssa?” Ben asked.

  Surprised by his invitation, she swallowed a bite of food. Churches were full of helpful people looking for a project—the last place she wanted to be right now. “Thanks, but no.”

  Ben turned to set the coffeepot on its burner.

  “We don’t go. To church.” Why she felt the need to explain, she didn’t know.

  “Never?”

  “Not for a while.” She had no idea how she’d attend a church service without crying all the way through it. Letting her answer suffice, she focused on Joey. “We’ll have to get your mittens and hat from the car.”

  “I’ll get them,” Hope offered.

  “Do you mind?”

  Frowning at Alyssa, Hope shook her head. “I’m going outside anyway.”

  Alyssa tried to remember where she’d put her keys, alarm prickling her neck. “I don’t remember locking the car last night.”

  “Nobody locks up in Rainbow Lake,” Ben assured her.

  She sighed, relieved. In a different place, she could have easily had her car and U-Haul stolen. Then where would she be?

  Joey scrambled to his knees on his stool and leaned to whisper in her ear. “Can I say a joke to Hope?”

  Steadying him, she nodded, wondering what he would come up with.

  He sat back down and hurriedly finished his last pancake. Apparently, he needed time to hatch his joke. “I’m full, Mommy. Can I go outside now?”

  Alyssa glanced at his empty plate. “Good job. You must promise to do what Hope says.”

  “I promise.” He jumped off his stool and bolted.

  Gulping down the last of her pancakes, Hope climbed off her stool and followed him. “Wait up, dude. I’ll get a ball for Dig to chase.”

  “Okay, pancake head.” Joey peered at Hope as if waiting for her reaction.

  She laughed. “Good one, Joey.”

  He burst into hilarious laughter as if he’d just said the cleverest thing in the world.

  Alyssa smiled. It appeared her son had figured out what teasing was and felt comfortable enough to try it out for himself. That, along with his willingness to leave her side, was all adding up to a major breakthrough. And hearing him laugh was priceless.

  Ben brought his coffee and sat on the stool one over from her. “Kids are pretty cool, aren’t they?”

  “They are. I appreciate your making him feel included.”

  He gave her a thoughtful look.

  The kids and dog slammed out the door.

  Pulse humming, Alyssa dragged her gaze from Ben’s dark eyes and brushed a crumb from her wool slacks. She enjoyed sipping coffee with this attractive, extraordinary man in his charming kitchen and chatting about their children.

  She’d forgotten what it was like to simply enjoy a man’s company. Not that she wanted more than that. Her mind returned to her questions. “Can you give me an idea what it might take to repair the cottage?”

  He uneasily met her eyes. “Lumber to fix the roof and bricks for the chimney will run several hundred dollars.”

  She brightened a bit. “Several hundred dollars doesn’t sound too bad.”

  “Add labor. I’m sure the place will have to be treated to get rid of the smoke stench, and at least some of the drywall will have to be replaced before it’s painted. You might have to update the wiring and put in a new furnace and ductwork. It could get pretty expensive.”

  A sick feeling washing over her, she set down her coffee.

  “Trouble is, you’ll spend a considerable amount of money and still have an old, inefficient cottage.”

  “But if I can afford to fix it, it will still be my gram’s cottage.”

  He nodded. “It will at that.”

  “Hey, Coop,” a man’s voice boomed as the back door slammed again.

  Alyssa turned in her stool to see a tall, muscular man with eyes as black as his hair emerge from the laundry room with a vase of beautiful yellow mums in one hand and a casserole in the other.

  “Do I smell pancakes?” the man asked.

  “Sure do. Alyssa Douglas, this is Tony Stefano.” Ben got up and walked behind the island counter.

  “Nice to meet you, Tony,” she said.

  His dark eyes assessed her. “Actually, we’ve met. Your last name was Bradley then. And you wore pigtails w
hen I mowed the grass for your grandmother in the summers.”

  “Your golden retriever used to wait for you?”

  “Kip.” Tony handed the vase of flowers to Alyssa. “My wife, Maggie, sent these for you. She owns the greenhouse south of town. She’s singing in the choir for both services this morning, but she said to tell you she’s sorry for the fire.”

  “They’re beautiful.” Apparently, Tony’s wife was one of those busy church ladies. Alyssa smelled the subtle scent of the blossoms and set them on the counter. “But how did you find out—”

  “News travels fast when people hear the fire siren. Anyway, my grandmother sent her eggplant Parmesan and told me to tell you she’s sorry about the fire, too.” He set the casserole on the island counter.

  Flowers and casseroles? The fire had already earmarked her as the needy one. Not the way to introduce herself to the community.

  “Coop can cook, but his repertoire is limited.”

  “Not everybody’s an expert in the kitchen like you are. Tony can cook with the best.” Ben set a steaming mug of coffee on the counter in front of his friend. “Want some pancakes?”

  “No, thanks.” Tony took a long, slow sip. “Nonna keeps me as well fed as she keeps Maggie.”

  “Tony and Maggie have a daughter, Christa, and they’re expecting a baby around Christmas,” Ben explained.

  “How wonderful.”

  Tony beamed. “We can’t wait.” He strode over to assess Robbie asleep in his car seat on the table. “How old?”

  “Three months.”

  “He’s amazing. I assume the blond kid I met outside belongs to you, too?”

  She nodded. “Joey just turned four.”

  “Nice family. Fortunate woman.”

  “Yes,” she agreed, “I am.”

  “Tony owns Stefano Construction Company,” Ben explained. “I asked him to bring a tarp and help me stretch it over your cottage. Snow’s on the way. And the tarp will protect your place for the winter. You can have the damaged stuff cleaned out and the cottage repaired in the spring, if that’s what you decide to do.”

  “Spring?” She looked from Ben to Tony in alarm. “There’s no way I can fix it and live there this winter?”