Daddy Next Door

by Judy Christenberry

  The door to the backyard was in the lobby under the stairs. He left his apartment and moseyed his way out to the deck. He didn’t want Jennifer to think he doubted her ability to deal with whatever was going on.

  He leaned on the railing, looking down about four feet at Jennifer. Missy spotted him and called up to him at once.

  “Daddy! Did you come to play with us? Have you seen how high Blondie can jump?”

  The man talking to Jennifer looked up, too. Then, before Nick could get down the stairs, he tossed some papers in her hands and strode out the gate. A few seconds later, they all heard the big truck backing out to the highway.

  Jennifer stamped her foot in frustration.

  Nick reached her side. “What’s up, Jennifer?”

  “Nothing! It’s none of your business. I don’t mean to be rude, but I can handle it.”

  “Okay, fine.” He turned away from her rebuff to find Missy standing beside him. His initial response would’ve been to be as abrupt with her as Jennifer had been with him.

  Instead, he squatted down beside the little girl. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”

  “Fine. Did you come down to play with Blondie? She’s a lot of fun.”

  “I can tell. It was nice of your mom to get her for you.”

  “I know. And Mommy says we won’t have to be split up again, so we don’t have to divide Blondie ever!” Missy beamed at him.

  “That’s good for you and especially good for Blondie,” he said with a smile. About that time, Blondie discovered a new human to play with. She jumped on her back legs and planted her paws on Nick’s chest, trying to lick his face.

  Almost immediately, he felt rather than saw Jennifer sweep past him and climb the stairs.

  “What’s got your mother so upset?”

  Missy frowned. “I don’t know. She told us she was going to get us a swing set today, but all she got was those boxes.”

  “Ah. The man didn’t put it together.”

  “You mean that’s our swing set? I don’t think we can play with it like that.”

  “No, I don’t, either.”

  Jennifer reappeared on the deck, calling the girls to come in to dinner.

  Nick followed the girls up the stairs.

  “Hey, Jennifer, do you need some help getting the swing set put together?”

  She stared at him, her mouth falling open. Then she snapped it shut. “I don’t. The company is going to call me back in a few minutes to schedule someone to come put it together.”

  “Oh, good. But let me know if you need any help.”

  “Thank you, but I’m sure I won’t need to.” With that, she herded the three little girls inside.

  Nick was no fool. He knew a brush-off when he heard one.

  Clearly he’d upset Jennifer last time he saw her—but he couldn’t think of anything he’d done. With a sigh, he climbed the stairs. Life wasn’t as exciting without the four—make that five—blondes next door. Though apparently Blondie was being left in the backyard right now.

  He knew the feeling.

  He returned to his apartment to work. After all, that was why he was here in Dallas. Not to get attached to the family next door. No, definitely not that.

  NICK HEARD THE GIRLS playing outside the next afternoon. He wandered to the window to see what they were up to. To his surprise, he discovered Jennifer trying to put together the swing set on her own. And it wasn’t going well.

  He took his toolbox out of one of the closets and went outside with it. When he reached Jennifer, she was on the verge of tears, dealing with the various parts.

  “Hey, Jen, what’s up?” he said mildly.

  At his voice, she lost her grip on the two parts she was holding and they all collapsed on the grass. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

  “I happened to look out and see you working. I thought maybe I could help.”

  “No, I—I’m taking care of the situation!”

  “With that itty-bitty wrench and screwdriver? Could you use some better tools?”

  She looked down at the toolbox he was holding out. “What’s in there?”

  “Tools, of course.”

  “Why do you have them?”

  He blinked several times. “They were my dad’s.”

  “Oh. Would you mind if I used them?”

  “Of course you can. But even better, I’ll be glad to help you.”

  “Have you ever put together a swing set before?”

  “Sure. When the triplets were eight, Mom bought them a fancy one for their birthday. I was fifteen. It was my job.”

  She kept staring at him, and Nick didn’t know what she was looking for. He waited patiently.

  She abruptly said, “I’ll pay you to put this together,” and motioned to the pile of boxes on the ground.

  He frowned. “That’s not necessary. I can—”

  “No! I have to pay you.”

  Nick studied her for several minutes. “Okay, you can pay me.”

  “Do you want a set fee or an hourly wage?” she asked in a businesslike tone.

  “Definitely a set fee.”

  Her eyebrows soared. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Dinner and a movie.”

  “You mean a date?” she asked in outraged tones.

  “Yeah, with you and the girls. I want the dinner homemade, and the movie something the girls will enjoy.”

  “That’s not a good idea,” Jennifer said, actually taking a step backward.

  “Why?”

  “Because it enforces Missy’s belief that you are a part of the family!”

  “But I don’t stay there at night,” he pointed out.

  Jennifer took two steps back. “I’m not having this conversation!”

  Then she turned around and ran up the stairs.

  After watching her run away, Nick turned around and found three little girls staring at him.

  “Did you hurt Mommy?” Steffi demanded.

  “Of course not. At least, if I did, I didn’t mean to.”

  Missy came to his side. “Mommy is unhappy.”

  He squatted down beside her. “I know, sweetheart, but I was trying to help.”

  “Okay.”

  Annie hadn’t moved. He smiled at the little girl, but he didn’t reach out to her. “How about I put together the swing set while y’all play with Blondie?”

  All three girls clapped their hands together.

  Nick got started putting the swing set together, warning the girls to keep their distance because he didn’t want them to get hurt.

  Steffi and Missy raced down the yard, Blondie keeping pace with them. Annie sat on the bottom step of the stairs to the deck, staring at Nick.

  He had no idea why she wasn’t playing with the others. But he asked no questions. Instead, he got busy putting the swing set together. Compared to the one he’d put together for his sisters, this swing set was simple, but it was appropriate for the three little girls. It had two swings, a two-seated glider and on the end, a wavy slide.

  Half an hour later, he heard the sound of footsteps coming down from the deck. He didn’t look around. It could only be Jennifer. If she told him to stop, that’s what he’d have to do, but he was so close to finishing it, he hoped she’d forgive him and let him finish.

  WITH A MOTHER LIKE HERS, Jennifer knew guilt. But none was as heartfelt as the guilt that she felt now. She’d treated Nick badly, had ignored him, been short-tempered with him. Yet here he was, outside on a scorching day putting her children’s set together.

  She owed him. Big time. A lot more than the glass of icy lemonade she was bringing him.

  She should’ve brought one for herself. Hadn’t she heard somewhere that lemonade went well with crow?

  Intending to give him the drink, say her piece and leave, she called his name. But when he turned around, the only sound she uttered was a gasp.

  Nick had removed his shirt and for the first time she saw his muscles and broad chest. In the midday sun his pecs
and six-pack glistened like Cortez’s gold. She stood there, her mouth agape, her mind blank. She’d wanted to tell him something, but she couldn’t think what. All she knew was that he hadn’t gotten those muscles from teaching school!

  She closed her mouth and swallowed, snapping herself out of her trance. “Thank you for ignoring my rudeness and helping me out.” But her gaze kept drifting to his impressive chest.

  He smiled slightly. “No problem.”

  “Yes, it is a problem. You’ve been very generous with your time and your patience.” She looked at Missy and Steffi playing with the dog. It was a safer sight than his rippled abs.

  “Look, Jen, it’s no big deal. I like putting things together.”

  “I’m fixing steak for dinner and I’ll go pick up a movie. Do you have any requests?” Regardless of the movie, she didn’t intend to watch. She’d find something else she needed to do.

  “I wanted to see The March of the Penguins a couple of years ago, but somehow I missed it. Would the girls like that one?”

  “They’d love it. Is there anything else you want for dinner?”

  “Nope. Everything you cook is good, Jen. Whatever you make will be fine.”

  She began backing away, trying to force her gaze to something, anything else, rather than Nick. “Th-then I’d better go work in the kitchen. Thank you again.”

  She reached the stairs to go up to the deck and discovered Annie sitting on the bottom step. The child whispered something to Jennifer that had her reluctantly looking back at Nick. She returned to his side.

  “I’m sorry to ask— I mean, it may slow down what you’re doing, but Annie— She’s interested in how things fit together. Would you mind showing her what you’re doing?”

  “No, I’d be glad to. Annie? Could you come help me a little?”

  Annie stared at him warmly, obviously weighing her decision. Then she jumped up and ran to him. For the first time that day, she spoke to him. “Yes?”

  “I just need a little help. All these screws get mixed up, see?” He held up the instructions and pointed to a diagram. “I’m looking for this screw. Can you find two just like it?”

  Her face lit up and she nodded vigorously.

  “Great.” He stood there smiling at the little girl’s intent search.

  Jennifer guessed Annie was like Nick. She enjoyed putting things together. If Nick could help the girl grow more confident, maybe it would be worth risking a little time with him.

  But could she resist the temptation?

  NICK WATCHED ANNIE’S CONCENTRATION as she searched through the screws to find that one that was missing. One of the triplets was like that. She always wanted to help. Nick found teaching his sisters how to do things easier than he had found repairing broken hearts. With three sisters, he got better at that, but he never got comfortable with it.

  Jennifer seemed to need some help, too, but he wasn’t sure what to do. He just felt she needed something. And he was a little distracted by the sundress she was wearing. Its color matched her blue eyes.

  “I found them,” Annie whispered, holding the two screws out for him to see.

  “Good job, Annie. Now, do you want to see what I’m going to do with those two screws?”

  She nodded her head and squatted on the ground right next to him, her gaze fixed on his hands.

  The rest of the afternoon, Nick and Annie worked together. He let her use the screwdriver and the wrench. He never had to repeat his instructions; she remembered everything.

  About four o’clock, he declared that they were done. Annie stood beside him, staring at the swing set. Her two sisters ran up, the dog accompanying them.

  “Is it ready?” Missy asked.

  “Yes, but before you try it out, Annie gets to go first.”

  Annie looked up at him in shock. Then with a smile, she stepped forward and reached for the first swing. Nick helped her into it.

  “Are you ready, Annie?”

  She nodded.

  He gently pushed her and she closed her eyes, feeling the motion. “Do you like it, Annie?” he asked.

  “Oh, yes. Push me higher.” Her voice was still low, almost a whisper, but he heard her. He pushed her a little harder.

  “We get to play, too,” Missy demanded.

  “Only when Annie says. She worked with me while you two played. That’s why she gets to go first.”

  Annie opened her eyes and said clearly, “I think they should get to play, too.”

  Missy and Steffi screamed and got on the two-seated glider.

  Nick sat down on the steps so he could keep an eye on the girls and enjoy their enthusiasm.

  After almost an hour, he heard footsteps above him. He leaned back and looked up the stairs. Jennifer had arrived.

  “You finished! And it looks great,” she said.

  “Yes, Annie and I did a good job.”

  Annie jumped out of the swing she had occupied from the beginning and ran up the stairs to wrap her arms around Jennifer’s legs.

  “Mommy, I helped! I really helped!”

  Jennifer knelt down and hugged Annie. “That’s wonderful, sweetie! You and Nick did a great job.”

  “Thank you. I learned lots from Nick.”

  “That was nice of Nick to show you things.”

  “Yes!” Annie beamed at Nick.

  “Girls, come join Annie. It’s time to clean up for dinner. Nick is going to be our guest tonight. Then we’ll watch a movie.”

  The girls cheered, flashing smiles at Nick as they raced up the stairs. None of the smiles glowed like Annie’s. None touched his heart the way hers did.

  His eyes followed the girls all the way up, then lit on Jennifer.

  “You really reached her, Nick,” she said, her voice quavering. “I knew a special person lived under that quiet, shy exterior, but you brought her out.”

  Overcome with excitement, she threw her arms around his neck, nearly toppling him. He stumbled back and braced himself, using his hands on her waist to right her.

  Lord Almighty, she felt good. He could stay like this all day, burning up under the hot sun, growing even hotter with Jennifer’s body against his.

  Apparently, she thought differently. As abruptly as she embraced him, she dropped her arms and stepped back. Her face was ashen before she turned and fled up the stairs. “Half an hour, Nick,” she threw over her shoulder as she ran.

  Half an hour. That’d just give him enough time to shower.

  And, boy, did he need a shower.

  An ice-cold one.

  NICK LAUGHED AT THE ANTICS of the penguins with Jennifer and her girls. But when the movie ended, only he and Jennifer were still awake. He helped her carry the girls to bed. Fortunately, she’d already had them brush their teeth and dress in their pajamas.

  Coming out of the girls’ room, he feared Jennifer intended to walk him straight to the door. All throughout the movie, he’d got the sense she’d prefer him to be anywhere but in her apartment. Twice, in fact, she’d left the room and he had to go find her and bring her back. To forestall his departure, he asked, “Any chance of a cup of coffee?”

  “You want caffeine at this hour?” she asked in surprise.

  “No. I hoped maybe you had some decaf.”

  “Of course,” she said, and led the way into the kitchen. “You can go sit in the living room, if you want. I’ll bring it in in a minute.”

  “That’s all right. I like your kitchen.” He pulled out a chair and sat down.

  “Okay,” Jennifer agreed, but her voice reflected some doubt.

  He watched her move swiftly, putting on a pot of coffee. Then she took cookies out of the cookie jar and put them on a saucer in the middle of the table.

  “I think these will go well with coffee.”

  “I think they’ll go well with most anything. You are a great cook, Jen.”

  “Thank you, but I suspect you know your way around the kitchen, too. You seem to do everything well.”

  “I don’t know the
variety of recipes you do. I’ll admit I can bake cookies, but I’m not so good with the vegetables.” He smiled at her, hoping to tempt her to smile.

  She avoided his gaze and got down the coffee mugs.

  After she filled them, Jennifer returned to the table and set his in front of him before she sat down across from him.

  “You did a great job on the swing set, Nick. In spite of my rude behavior, I really appreciate you spending the afternoon doing that. Especially because of what you did for Annie. I couldn’t believe that she’d rather help you than play with the other girls.”

  “One of my sisters was like that. She was fascinated with putting things together. Still is. She has her own power tools and does all the repairs around the house. Her husband is hopeless at it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. She threatens to teach classes to women who are married to men like Joe.”

  “It sounds like a good idea.”

  “Yeah. So any time you need something fixed, just knock on my door.”

  “Oh, no, I couldn’t! I already have a plumber and an electrician that I usually use.”

  “Well, maybe in an emergency.”

  “Yes, that—that’s very nice of you.”

  Then they sat there, neither having anything to say.

  Finally he asked a question that was none of his business, but he’d wondered. “Have you ever contacted your half brother to see if he’s interested in getting together?”

  “No. I assumed my father told him my mother and I were not the kind of women he would be interested in.”

  “How old was he when your father died?”

  “I think he was twelve.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “Seven years.”

  “And you’ve never contacted him in all that time?” he asked in surprise.

  “No. I thought about it, but…I doubt a nineteen-year-old would care about a half sister.” She took a sip of her coffee, then blurted, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  “I see. Okay, I’d better go so you can get to bed early. That’s what you want, isn’t it? Not to have me around any longer than you have to?”