Daddy Next Door

by Judy Christenberry

  He stood there, his hands in his pockets, staring at the door. He couldn’t help teasing her, but he believed there was some attraction there. He could feel it when he held her close. But there was something keeping them apart.

  He’d just have to figure it out.

  THE SECOND NICK PICKED UP the ringing phone, his agent cut right to business.

  “How was Hollywood?” Jim asked.

  “Fine.”

  “An all-expenses-paid trip to Hollywood and all you can say is ‘Fine’? And you call yourself a writer!”

  Nick laughed in spite of himself. “It was good, but I was in a hurry to get home.”

  “You’ve only lived in Dallas for a few weeks. What could— Ah, a woman.”

  Nick grinned. “Yeah. So?”

  “A new acquaintance?”

  “I met her the first day I moved in.”

  Jim’s voice sobered. “Just remember what I told you. You’ve worked hard for your money. You don’t want some gold digger after you.”

  “Not to worry.” Jennifer didn’t want his money. In fact she didn’t want anything from him.

  “The guys in Hollywood are interested in you staying awhile longer the next time you’re out there,” Jim said.

  “I’m not planning on going back anytime soon.”

  “They called me this morning to hint that they could use you out there until they finish filming.”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Nick, if the woman’s that important to you, you can take her with you. I wouldn’t think she’d turn down a trip to Hollywood.”

  “This woman would. Besides, they have tons of writers in Hollywood. They don’t need me to turn my book into a screenplay.”

  “Aren’t you worried about how the film will turn out?”

  “Aren’t you the agent who told me to look upon money from Hollywood as a blessing, but not to get too caught up in them doing a faithful translation from book to screen?”

  “Okay, I just thought I should ask. How’s the new book going?”

  “I just got back last night. It’ll take a while to get moving on it again, but I don’t think my deadline is in jeopardy.”

  “Okay. Let me know if you run into problems.”

  “Will do.”

  Nick hung up the phone and sat staring at the wall. No, Jennifer wasn’t the kind to pick up and fly to Hollywood. Not with the three little girls in tow. He agreed with her that Hollywood was not the place for children. It was flattering that they were interested in him, but he had no intention of moving to Hollywood.

  The more interesting stories were to be found right here.

  BILLS, CREDIT CARD applications, advertisements.

  All the usual suspects in the mail today, she thought as she thumbed through the stack…till she came to a small manila envelope with a familiar scrawl. She recognized the handwriting; it was her uncle’s.

  Could it be…?

  She’d just about given up that her uncle, or social services, would scare up the photo of the girls’ parents that Steffi wanted so badly. With each passing day she’d held out less and less hope that she’d be able to come through on her promise to Steffi.

  Her hand was shaking when she opened the clasp on the envelope and pulled out a handwritten note: “Did the best I could. Sorry it took so long.” It was signed by her uncle, and paper-clipped to a long thin strip of cheap photo paper. Jennifer looked at the photos, the kind taken in one of those booths at a carnival or boardwalk. Three different poses of a young couple, yet unmistakably Steffi, Annie and Missy’s parents, judging by the uncanny resemblance of the girls to the woman in the photo.

  She couldn’t tell where or when the pictures had been taken, but she could see how happy the couple was, how much in love. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks, and she let them come. She let herself cry for their loss, for the years that were taken away, for the children they’d never get to see grow up.

  I’ll look after them, she silently promised the smiling couple. I’ll always make sure they’re safe and they never forget you.

  She’d have to find the perfect moment to give the photo to Steffi.

  And to thank her uncle for the miracle he worked in getting it.

  She took out stationery and began writing a note to him, all the while counting her blessings for having someone in her family who was on her side. Too bad her mother couldn’t be. But at least she had decent odds—fifty percent of her family supported her.

  What about your half brother? asked an inner voice. What would he think?

  She remembered then something Nick had said recently, how she shouldn’t let fear of rejection stop her from contacting her half brother. Her father had been wrong in denying a meeting between them, Nick had said.

  For a while now she couldn’t get thoughts of William Carpenter out of her head.

  Maybe this was a sign, she thought as she gazed down at her uncle’s note. He’d come through for her and given her something so precious. Perhaps she ought to reach out to a new member of her family. After all, hadn’t she always vowed not to be like either of her parents? By distancing herself from her half brother she was following her dad’s behavior. If she thought he was wrong, why was she acting like him?

  That bothered her. And there was also the fact that if Nick was going to go away as she thought he would, it might be good for the girls to know another man. Annie especially needed to know that men, other than Nick, wouldn’t hurt her.

  Today, she’d decided, she’d reach out to her brother.

  William had been eleven when her father had died, eight years ago. Jennifer had been nineteen, the age her half brother was now. A lot of years had passed, a lot of growing up, reflecting. The only way to know how her half brother felt now was to bite the bullet and call. And there was no time like the present. She put down the pen and dialed the number for her father’s widow.

  When she answered, Jennifer took a deep breath and identified herself. Then she asked to speak to William.

  “He’s in class right now, Jennifer. Is there something I can help you with?”

  The woman sounded pleasant, unlike her own mother whenever Jennifer had mentioned her ex-husband’s wife.

  “I—I just wanted to contact him,” she said, trying hard to keep up her courage. “I thought he might be interested in getting to know me.”

  After a moment the woman asked, “Does your mother know you’re calling him?”

  “I don’t live with my mother and she has nothing to do with me.”

  “I see. Well, I’ll ask him to call you. I can’t be sure he will.”

  Jennifer gave her her telephone number and her address. “I’d like to meet him. I promise I won’t do anything to hurt him.”

  “I’ll give him your message,” was all the woman said.

  Jennifer was shaking when she hung up the phone. She had to remind herself to breathe as she stood up and went to get a glass of water. No one knew how William would react to the message, even if her father’s widow would relay it. But Jennifer had done her part. She’d taken the first step. Now only time would tell.

  As she turned to put the glass in the sink, she saw Steffi come into the room.

  “You got up early, sweetheart. And you seemed so tired after your ballet lesson today.” Her eyes shot to the envelope and photo on the table, and Steffi’s followed.

  “If you’re busy, I can go back to my room,” she said, ever the adult child.

  Jennifer deliberated. She could buy herself some time and plan how she would give the photo to Steffi, or she could just let her heart be her guide. As she looked at the girl, she opted for the latter.

  “No, Steffi, I’m not busy. I’m never too busy for you.” She held out her hand and when Steffi took it, she led them to the sofa in the living room. Along the way she pocketed the photo strip.

  “What is it, Jennifer? Is everything okay?” Steffi looked at her with deep brown eyes that seemed to see more than a six-year-old shou
ld.

  Jennifer smiled. “Everything is fine. Wonderful, in fact.” She reached into her pocket and fingered the photo. “Steffi, you remember when I told you I’d do my best to find a picture of your parents? Well, I…I did it, honey.” She took the photo out and proffered it. “Will this one do?”

  Slowly Steffi reached for the precious gift. For a few moments she said nothing, merely looked at it, and Jennifer’s throat tightened. Had she done the wrong thing? Was it too much for the girl? Would the photo bring back memories of untold sadness, grief? She reached out for Steffi, her hand shaking.

  “Steffi, are you okay?”

  The little girl looked up at her, and a small smile split her face. “I look just like her. Look, Jennifer. Do you see?”

  Jennifer let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “I see, baby,” she said through a smile.

  “And there are three pictures. One for each of us. Wait till I show Annie and Missy.”

  What an amazing child, Jennifer thought. And what an amazing set of parents to have raised such wonderful, thoughtful children. She wrapped her arms around the girl. “Why don’t you go show them, Steffi?”

  The girl got up from the sofa, but before she ran down the hall she looked at Jennifer. “Thank you,” she said simply.

  It was all Jennifer needed to hear.

  THE APARTMENT SMELLED AS good as a bakery. Zucchini bread was cooling on the counter, the cookie jar was filled and Jennifer was icing a cake. It was what she did whenever she got restless: she baked. And the girls loved it. They’d already had more than their weekly allotment of cookies. She drew a deep breath and stood just as Annie came into the living room.

  She stepped back to admire her handiwork when the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” she called to the girls, hoping to stop the wild rush to the door that was typical of them.

  The three girls remained in front of the television, the cookies and lemonade holding them in place.

  She swung the door open, expecting to see Nick. Instead, she stared at a stranger.

  A familiar stranger. “Yes?”

  “Are you Jennifer?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I’m William, but most everyone calls me Billy.” He held out a hand to her.

  She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. All afternoon she’d been afraid to hope, afraid that he wouldn’t call her back, afraid that he would. What would they say to each other? How would they act?

  But here he was in front of her, a smile on his face, his hand outstretched as if to bridge the years they’d been apart.

  She took it in her own. “I’m so happy to see you,” she gushed, wiping her tears. “Won’t you come in?” She opened the door wide and ushered him into the apartment.

  “Something smells good in here,” he remarked, looking around.

  “I’ve been baking.” An understatement, but he didn’t need to know how nervous she’d been. “If you go outside on the deck, I’ll bring out some cookies and lemonade and we can talk.” She smiled at him. “Get to know each other.”

  “Sounds good.” He followed the path she pointed out.

  As Jennifer got a tray prepared, she told Mrs. Carroll where she would be. After that, she explained to the girls that she was going outside to visit with her guest.

  When she reached the deck, she set the tray down on the table. “I appreciate your visiting me, Billy. I— I had asked my dad once for us to be family, but he didn’t think it would be a good idea.”

  “Why?” Billy asked with a frown.

  “I think it was because of my mother. She’s…rather difficult.”

  “Oh, yeah, my mom said.”

  Jennifer smiled. “I know. But I thought it might help you, as well as me, to know each other. We probably have some things in common because of our dad.”

  “Yes, I think so, too.” He looked down and swirled the ice in his glass. “Dad never mentioned you to me. I never knew who you were, not even at the funeral.”

  Jennifer tried to hide her hurt.

  “But my mom knew about you,” Billy hurriedly said. “She said you were beautiful, and she was right.”

  “Thank you, Billy. I actually think we look quite alike except for my blond hair. Yours is brown, like Dad’s.”

  “Yeah, we do. Did you get your blond hair from your mom?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does she live here, too?”

  “No, this is where your grandmother lived. I don’t think Dad ever introduced you to her because she disapproved of his divorce.”

  “Is she alive now?”

  “No, I’m sorry. She died about two years ago.”

  “I wish I’d met her.”

  “Yes, she would’ve liked that, too. But she believed you only got married once and if you were miserable, too bad.”

  “Ah, old-fashioned.”

  “Yes, she was, but she was a dear.”

  They chatted for a half hour, and Jennifer was glad to discover that her father had left his second wife and son well-provided for. Billy was attending Southern Methodist University, here in Dallas, and driving a Porsche.

  They were laughing over something their father had done when the door to the deck slammed back against the wall, surprising them.

  Nick stomped out on the deck.

  “Why, Nick, is something wrong?” Jennifer asked.

  “I heard you were entertaining. I thought maybe your mother had invited someone to meet you.”

  It took her a minute to figure out what he meant, but then she laughed. “No. Actually, this is your fault. You encouraged me to contact my half brother. Billy, this is Nick Barry, my neighbor.”

  Billy stood and offered his hand.

  Nick stared at him. “Your brother?”

  “Yes, Nick, my brother.”

  Nick shook his hand. “I’m delighted to meet you,” he said, his gaze shifting back to Jennifer.

  Jennifer actually giggled.

  Billy said, “I don’t understand why you’re laughing.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. My mother has been trying to set me up with a man, and apparently Nick thought it was you.”

  Billy’s gaze shifted to Nick. “No, you’re still in luck,” he said with a smile.

  They stood there for a moment, then Billy said, “Aren’t you going to ask Nick to join us?”

  “Thanks, Billy. Don’t mind if I do.” Nick sat down before reaching out to take a cookie. “Hey, these are good. Did you make them, Jen?”

  “Yes, I did. I guess now I have to go get you some lemonade. I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you think she sounded irritated?” Nick asked Billy.

  The boy smiled. “Not much. And I don’t blame you for charging to the rescue. Any man her mother would choose, according to my mother, would be terrible.”

  “You’ve met her mother?”

  “No, have you?”

  “Yeah, accidentally. We were coming back from a shopping trip with the girls and her mother cornered her in the parking lot.”

  “The girls?”

  “You didn’t meet her three little girls?” Nick asked in surprise.

  “She has children? I didn’t know she’d been married before.”

  “She hasn’t.” Nick raised a hand at Billy’s astonishment. “I’d better tell you before she gets out here and you think she’s a scarlet woman. She’s adopting three little sisters. They’re adorable.”

  Just then the door opened and Jennifer brought a glass of lemonade for Nick and more cookies.

  “Oh, good. I was hungry but I didn’t think I should take the last one,” Nick said.

  “Yes, I was relying on your excellent manners. Now you don’t have to hold back,” she said.

  Both males grinned at her and reached for more cookies.

  “Of course, you’re going to ruin your dinner if you eat too many.”

  Nick winked at Billy. “She only has girls. If she had boys, she’d know better.”

  “And
I don’t have to worry about dinner because Mom’s going out tonight and I’m all on my own,” Billy said.

  “I’m all on my own, too,” Nick said mournfully.

  “Stop it, Nick! You’re always on your own.”

  “Oh, yeah, I forgot.”

  “Billy, you’re welcome to have dinner with us. I want to introduce you to my three girls.”

  “Yeah, Nick explained. I’d love to meet them.”

  “Does that mean I’m not invited to dinner?” Nick asked.

  Jennifer sent him a disgusted look. “I shouldn’t reward such a ridiculous ploy for an invitation, but yes, you are invited to dinner, too, Nick.”

  “Terrific! I bet the girls are having cookies right now, too.”

  Jennifer’s cheeks flamed. “Yes, they had ballet lessons this morning to use up their energy.”

  “She’s a great mother, Billy, and she had no experience at all,” Nick assured him.

  “I bet she is. But, Jennifer, how did you come to adopt three little girls?”

  She explained about The Heart Gallery photos and how she’d discovered Annie was being abused.

  Billy looked terribly upset, but then she told him how well they’d done in the past few weeks, and how Nick had helped Annie overcome her fear of men.

  “I can’t wait to meet them. They sound wonderful.”

  “You’ll be their uncle,” Jennifer said. “They’ve never had one of those.”

  “Wait, that makes Billy more important than me,” Nick mock-protested.

  “Nick, it’s not a contest.”

  “That’s true, besides I’m their daddy.” He gave her a sly grin.

  “No, you aren’t and you shouldn’t say that. It’ll give Billy the wrong idea.”

  Nick explained how Missy had met him in the hall.

  “That must’ve been a shock to you,” Billy said.

  “Yes, it was. But then I met your sister, which was a wonderful thing.”

  “Listen, gentlemen, if I’m going to get dinner done in time, I have to start cooking.”

  “Why don’t I take Billy to my apartment, so he’ll be out of your way? We can visit on our own.”

  She looked at Nick suspiciously. “Are you up to something?”

  “Not me. Just offering to help.”