If anything, Dan believed Luann wanted people in her home more often as if that might chase away the loneliness he’d always sensed just beneath her wrinkled smile. “Doesn’t make sense unless Valerie is hiding from her mom.”
Rick picked up the other bagel and sliced it in half. “Valerie probably got the dates wrong for her mom’s cruise. Simple misunderstanding.”
Not the first time and easy to believe. Valerie lived according to her own calendar. Her son’s own birthday wasn’t a fixed date on her schedule. Dan doubted the exact dates of her mother’s transcontinental cruise would’ve been penciled in, as well.
Still, Dan had sent an email to Luann about Valerie’s return home.
After Valerie had decided not to come home years ago, her mother had offered to pay for Ben’s hospital bills and other expenses. Dan had explained that he wasn’t interested in Luann’s money. He wanted her to be involved in her grandson’s life. Luann had been delighted. There was only one task Dan had eagerly handed over: shopping for Ben’s clothes. Luann still outfitted Ben. Only now the pair turned back-to-school shopping into an all-day adventure that included a trip to the movie theater and other treats.
Luann liked to declare retirement hollowed out her mind and left behind cobwebs, but Dan knew the seventy-four-year-old remained as perceptive and sharp as ever. Luann wouldn’t have scheduled a cruise on the same day her only daughter was coming home.
“What now?” Rick smeared extra cream cheese on the bagel and handed half to Dan.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” Dan chewed on a bite of bagel and considered Valerie’s agenda.
“Valerie has to be allowed to see Ben.” Rick set the butter knife in the sink.
“I know,” Dan said. “I’d like to talk to Ben first. I just don’t know what to say.”
Like he hadn’t really known what to say to his brother moments ago. Dan had wanted to ask, “Figure out you’re a Sawyer yet?” Jason’s last words to Dan had been that he needed to figure out who he was. But Dan had held back, Jason had seemed too reserved, too closed off. Jason used to get like that when they were kids. Dan always gave his brother space. He’d given Jason five years. Surely that was long enough, wasn’t it?
“How about something simple like ‘Ben, your mom is back in town’?” Rick loaded his coffee cup into the dishwasher.
“Then what do I say when Ben asks for how long?” Dan asked.
“Let Valerie answer that herself.”
“She’ll break his heart this time.” And that would break Dan’s heart. Ben had been four the first time Valerie had abandoned him. Too young to criticize her. Too innocent to resent her.
Rick stepped around the counter, set his hand on Dan’s shoulder and squeezed. “And we’ll be here to help him put it back together.”
“Doesn’t sound great,” Dan said.
“No,” Rick said. “But Valerie is here, and you have to do what’s right.”
Dan shoved off the stool and paced into the kitchen. Dan’s parents had raised him to know right from wrong. Taught him to do right by people. He lived those lessons every day.
Still, shouldn’t Valerie have been expected to do what was right six years ago and not abandon her own son? Shouldn’t Valerie have known what was right? Dan crushed the paper plate in the garbage can and tossed away his irritation. The past had been lived. He had to focus on the present. His parents had also taught him the power in second chances. But that meant trusting that Valerie was home for the right reason: her son.
Dan checked his emails on his cell phone, hoping Luann might have already responded. Surely Valerie’s mother would know what her own daughter was up to, wouldn’t she?
“I’m having dinner with Jason and Valerie tonight,” Rick said. “Do you and Brooke want to join us?”
Dan stuffed his phone back into his pocket. “I think Brooke has had enough Sawyer family drama for one day.”
“Well, did she stay with you after Valerie and Jason arrived?” Rick asked.
Dan nodded. Brooke had not only stayed, she’d intervened as if she’d known Dan had struggled to match his words and his thoughts.
“Then a little drama isn’t going to scare her away that easily.” His dad grinned and whistled as he walked toward his bedroom.
Dan stepped to the window and stared across the backyard at the apartment. Something must’ve compelled Brooke to stay. Surely, she hadn’t stayed only for Dan. But he didn’t know much about Brooke other than she loved animals and was a widow.
He should probably get to know Brooke better. After all, he should know the person living on his property. And it wasn’t as if learning more about Brooke would lead to anything. Dan was way too careful to allow that to happen.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
DAN’S KITCHEN LOOKED like a restaurant right before the buffet opened. He’d prepped all the chicken for the frying pan. A large bowl of batter rested on the counter beside the warm waffle maker. The mayonnaise and maple-syrup spread waited, already prepared.
He checked the clock on the oven. Thirty minutes until his friends arrived. Plenty of time to bring a plate to Brooke. Dan left the kitchen, convinced he was only returning her groceries and keeping his word. After all, he’d promised Brooke chicken and waffles, not a long-term relationship.
Brooke opened the door. Surprise lifted her eyebrows and her voice. “Dan.”
“You said you’d try my chicken and waffles.” You never said you didn’t want to get to know each other. Or to date. Dan lifted the plate higher, blocked that incessant voice and his heart. “Don’t tell me that you’re backing out now.”
“I didn’t think...” She glanced at herself, her voice trailing off.
She wore her usual workout pants and Dan’s sweatshirt. The one he’d given her to keep warm. She looked comfortable. And comforting.
She might be different from Valerie: grounded and practical. Traits he’d come to appreciate after his divorce. But that didn’t make Brooke or any woman good for him. He was committed to Ben and the life he’d built. Love and relationships weren’t on the menu. Not tonight or any night in the future. He said, “I also brought your groceries.”
She slipped her hands free from the arms of the sweatshirt and grabbed the bags.
Tucking her hands up inside her sleeves was her habit. Would she be less cold if he held her hand? No. Tenants didn’t hold their landlord’s hand. Neither did friends. And they were somewhere in between, somewhere in the no-complication zone. “If you promise not to feed the dogs your chicken and waffles, we can sit on the back patio and let the dogs wander around the yard.”
“Are you sure?” Her gaze searched Dan’s face.
The concern in her brown eyes made it impossible for him to look away. That scale slipped to the more personal. And the truth slipped from Dan. “My divorce shook my world six years ago. The end of my marriage hurt pretty bad. But I recovered and moved on for my son. This afternoon, I needed a moment to process Valerie and my brother’s return. I had that.”
She read him almost as easily as Ava. How was that possible? Maybe it was that Brooke was the first person Dan let close enough to really look at him in a long while. He had to stop letting her do that. He had to stop himself from spilling his secrets. Now.
He adjusted the two plates, reached down to pet Luna’s head and slid that scale back to the impersonal. This was only supposed to be a kindness to his tenant. “If we don’t eat soon, Luna is going to eat for us.”
Brooke lifted the grocery bags. “Let me put these in the kitchen.”
She returned and stepped onto the porch, Luna beside her. Dan said, “Sorry about your groceries. I was a little distracted.”
“You had every right to be distracted.” Her smile was sincere, her voice kind.
She never pressed him to dig deeper or share more. Even though he could hav
e. Might have, but he reined himself in and remembered what this was.
Today, he’d revealed things to her he’d never told anyone. He’d been caught up in helping Rex, he assured himself. He’d always walked with a purpose. Toward a destination. Except Brooke had felt like the reason he was there. And the longer he stayed beside her, the more he’d opened up. Clearly, he had to stop walking with her and head back to the gym.
Dan tipped his head, keeping his voice light. “You really aren’t planning on feeding your chicken and waffles to the dogs, right?”
“No.” She laughed. “Though I’m still counting on Ben’s help to make those dog treats.” Brooke left the apartment door open and followed Dan to the paved patio area.
“Speaking of Ben, he wanted me to invite you to his soccer game tomorrow.” Dan handed her the plates and concentrated on brushing the leaves off the cushions on the chairs around the small gas fire pit.
Brooke sat, clutched the metal chair arms and stared at the food as if Dan had given her plates of worm-infested rotten apples.
“No pressure.” Worry shifted through him. What had he said? He sat beside her and smoothed out his voice as if she was a patient he had to calm before an IV stick. “You don’t have to go.”
She lifted her head, blinked at him like she’d only just realized he was still there. “I think it would be nice.”
Dan searched her face. Her gaze was clear, her mouth soft. No tension. No paleness. He hadn’t imagined her reaction, had he? “Really?”
She nodded.
Lightness spread through him like the sunrise after a difficult night at work, promising a new day and another chance. He frowned. She’d agreed to a soccer game, not a first date. Still, the pleasure wouldn’t dim. Why wasn’t that making him uneasy? A light-brown-and-black head peeked out of Brooke’s front door. Dan latched onto the distraction and whispered, “Look who’s coming to join us.”
“Maybe Rex will make it past the front door with you here.” Brooke handed Dan one of the plates, her movements slow.
Dan kept his voice low to avoid startling Rex. “Should I call him over here?”
“Let’s go with no pressure.”
That approach worked well for Dan, too. Easy. Casual. Everything the night was supposed to be. Although something like anticipation swept through him. “Sounds good to me.”
“I can eat this in any order I want, right?” Brooke unwrapped her plate. “And take my time trying a bite of chicken and waffle and syrup together?”
She could take all night. Dan uncovered his plate. “But it’s delicious as one bite.”
Brooke eyed him, then her food.
“Seriously, eat it any way you want.” Dan toasted her with his fork. “No one is here to judge you.”
“Then I’ll go for it.” Brooke cut off a piece of chicken, added a corner of the waffle and dipped her fork in the syrup. She took a moment to chew and taste the bite like a judge on a TV food show. “There’s something strangely satisfying and pleasing about this dish.”
He could tell her the same about being with her. But the night was about chicken and waffles, not relationship building. “Then you like it?”
“I do.” Brooke put together another bite on her fork.
“I told you so,” Dan teased.
“You were right.” Brooke concentrated on her plate.
The sun dropped away, granting the evening its turn, and time slowed. Enough for Dan to appreciate the moment.
When Brooke had finished half of her chicken and waffles, and his plate was almost cleared, Dan propped his feet on the edge of the round brick-and-stone fire pit. Cupid jumped onto one of the empty chairs and cleaned his paws as if he’d sampled the chicken and waffles, too. Luna stretched out in the grass. Rex lingered in the doorway, more out than in.
Brooke leaned back in her chair and glanced at him. “Are you really okay?”
Dan wiped a napkin over his mouth. Not to hide his frown. He was more confused that her question hadn’t irritated him. The night was supposed to be casual. His mind had other ideas and once again forgot Brooke wasn’t his confidante. “In some ways, I guess I knew this day would come. That didn’t make it any easier, but I’m all right. Ben was too young for a broken heart the first time Valerie left us. It won’t be the same this time.”
Brooke leaned toward him and reached out.
Her hand almost connected with his arm, his heart almost skipped inside his chest.
But then Ava’s sudden voice warned from the other side of the fence, “You better have enough chicken and waffles for everyone, Dan.”
Dan set his plate on the side table and stood up. His friends, led by Ava, strolled into his backyard. Ava clutched her wedding party planner. Sophie brought in two tall thermoses and cups. Brad carried a cooler. Kyle walked in last, grocery bags in both of his hands.
Ava gave Dan a one-armed hug and leaned back to study him. “You forgot, didn’t you?”
No, he hadn’t forgotten. He’d lost track of time. When was the last time that had happened?
At his continued silence, one red eyebrow arched, and Ava added, “It’s Friday night. We’re meeting here for the coed bash planning.”
This was the part where Dan told Brooke he had to follow his schedule. This was the part where Dan let Brooke escape back inside her apartment. This was the part where their time together ended, as he preferred.
“It’s okay.” Kyle punched Dan’s shoulder. “We’ve got you covered with appetizers, drinks and dessert. But first I need to know if there really is more chicken and waffles.”
“Upstairs.” Dan dropped into his chair as Kyle and Brad fist-bumped their delight. His friends introduced themselves to Brooke quickly and simply: Brad was Sophie’s other half. Kyle was engaged to Ava. Which gave Dan no chance to prove he could be a polite host.
Brooke started to stand. She reminded him of Rex: wide-eyed and ready to lunge back inside his kennel. Dan opened his mouth to tell Brooke she didn’t have to stay. His friends could be overwhelming, but they meant well.
Sophie chimed in first. “Brooke, you can’t leave us. We might need your vote against the guys.”
“That’s true.” Ava waved Brooke back into the chair. “Please stay.”
Brooke sat down slowly as if still unsure. Dan wanted to take her hand and protect her from whatever spooked her.
“Can you fix me a plate, please?” Sophie cradled Cupid and grinned at Brad. “I have a new friend.”
“Me, too, please.” Ava added several air-blown kisses in Kyle’s direction.
“Who’s getting married?” Brooke pulled her legs up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around her knees.
“Mia and Wyatt.” Ava stole the last bite of waffle from Dan’s plate. “Mia is a photographer and Wyatt is an ER doctor at Bay Water Medical, where Dan works, and I used to.”
“Mia took the adorable photographs of the rescues at The Pampered Pooch.” Brooke tucked her hands up inside the sleeves of the sweatshirt. “Evie told me about her.”
Now Dan could stop focusing on holding her hand.
“We’re finalizing the details for their joint bachelor-bachelorette party tonight.” Sophie raised her arms to give Cupid the space to make himself more comfortable on her lap. “Wait until you see Kyle’s place.”
Dan looked at Brooke. “His place is a man cave on steroids with all your favorite childhood games thrown in.”
The group spent several nights a month at Kyle’s place, challenging each other for bragging rights. All generations included, from Ava’s mom to Evie and Dan’s dad, to Ella and Ben. Currently the Prime Timers, as the parents referred to themselves, held the top score on Ping-Pong and air hockey. Claimed it was all about finesse. Dan and Kyle claimed it was all about their craftiness.
“You’re invited, of course,” Sophie said. “It’s next Fri
day.”
The sincerity in Sophie’s voice indicated her offer wasn’t offhand or given out of politeness. Sophie was genuine and earnest, as if she and Brooke were already good friends.
Dan stared at Brooke’s empty doorway. Rex had disappeared inside. Dan should’ve let Brooke leave, too.
“I’m not sure I’ll be here,” Brooke said.
Nothing Brooke said wasn’t true or fact. Dan was merely disappointed he’d finished his chicken and waffles. Disappointed Bay Area Pioneers—his football team—had lost last weekend. However, he was not disappointed Brooke would be leaving. After all, friends encouraged each other to do what was best for them. Leaving was best for Brooke. He’d support her like a friend should.
“You have an open invite, anyway,” Ava said.
Dan added, “You should come if you’re here.”
Brad and Kyle returned with twin plates, both piled high with waffles and chicken. Kyle frowned at his plate. “We had to fry more chicken. I’m not sure we did it exactly right.”
Brad shook his head. “You can’t fry anything wrong. Just add more syrup.”
Silence—the good kind, not the Valerie-just-returned-unannounced kind—surrounded the backyard. Twenty minutes later, stomachs full, Kyle collected the empty plates and tossed them in the trash. Brad refilled everyone’s drink cups.
Ava picked up her party-planning binder and set it on the small table beside her. “This evening was scheduled to be about final party plans. But we already know we aren’t going to be productive with the elephant in the room.”
Tension sharpened the silence.
Dan kept his focus on Ava. He’d only just admitted he liked Brooke. That wasn’t the elephant Ava referred to. And that wasn’t elephant-sized news. Valerie and Jason’s return certainly qualified. But how had she found out? He said, “You talked to my dad.”
Ava winced. “Your dad told my mom that Valerie and Jason were back.”
Sophie opened a container and took out a brownie. “Then Evie dropped off brownies at Ava’s house this afternoon and Ava’s mom told Evie.”
Single Dad to the Rescue Page 10