She stood, keeping the child in her arms. Her eyes locked on Christian, and his smile was as warm and inviting as the apple cider his daughter had mentioned. She stepped toward him, but his mom intercepted her before she could say so much as hello.
“It’s so good to see you again.” Mrs. Gustafson wrapped her in a one-armed embrace.
Hallie had expected a second meeting with Christian’s mom to be awkward after the other day, so her warm greeting surprised her. “Hi, Mrs. Gustafson.”
“Please, call me Sherry. Any friend of my son’s is a friend to me.” A twinkle entered her eyes, the only acknowledgement of the veryunfriendlike situation she’d walked into two days ago. Perhaps more-than-friend-like was a better description. Whatever the term, Christian’s mom had to know that something other than simple friendship budded between Hallie and her son. But the woman didn’t seem mad about it, which helped Hallie lower her walls.
“Have you met my daughter?” Sherry gestured toward the other woman on the patio. “This is Danica. Dani, meet Hallie.”
Christian’s sister tossed a smile in their direction. “I remember you from the library that one time. I’d give you a hug, but I’m all tied up. Like literally. My fingers are stuck in this twine. Mom, can you help me?”
Sherry rushed to her, giving Hallie the opportunity to approach Christian.
“You’ve been busy.” Her eyes swept the yard as she set Penelope down on the deck.
He finished securing the arch to the waist-high fence and turned to her. “We’ve worked on this all day, but I think it’s finally ready.” Bending at the waist, he planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
Okay, that was adorable.After the heated make-out session from the other day—and last night—Hallie hadn’t fully appreciated how a sweet gesture like a kiss on the cheek could make her melt just as much.
“Daddy, what are you doing?” Isla asked, suddenly appearing before them. Deep lines furrowed in the older girl’s forehead. Out of curiosity or disapproval? Hallie couldn’t tell.
Christian cleared his throat, and she could see the wheels turning in his head as he came up with a reason for putting the moves on her temporary nanny.
“In many cultures it’s customary to greet acquaintances with a kiss on the cheek.” He glanced at Hallie with wide eyes, sucking air through his teeth.
“Acquaintance?” Danica snorted. “Sure. And I’m Miss America.”
Hallie stifled a laugh at the eye roll he tossed at his sister. Leaning toward him, she lowered her voice. “Forgot they were watching?”
“Stop being so irresistible,” he hissed, shooting her a cheeky grin.
Hallie only had time to grin back before Isla’s excitement took over the deck. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, her arms flapped out to the side. “Is it time for my party?”
Christian tugged lightly on his daughter’s curly ponytail before checking his watch. “Your friends should be here any minute.”
“Come on!” She grabbed her father’s hand and dragged him toward the house. “Let’s go wait for them!”
He shrugged over his shoulder at Hallie. She smiled back at him, then followed his mom and sister inside to wait for the party guests.
“How many minutes has it been?” Isla asked for the fifth time, popping up from the couch and running to the door. She stuck her head out before coming back inside with a frown. Each time she checked, her spirits dipped a little more.
Sitting next to Christian on the couch, Hallie felt more than heard his dejected sigh as he checked his watch again. She peeked at his wrist, another crack splitting her heart. Almost an hour had passed since the party was supposed to start and still no guests. At this point, it was safe to assume none would be coming.
Poor Isla. She’d been so excited. This rejection would surely send her right back to the despondent child she’d been when Hallie had met her. Why didn’t anyone show up?
Christian blew out another breath, rubbing his hands on his thighs before standing. “I have an idea.” He crossed the room to theentryway, kneeling in front of Isla. “How’d you like to go out to dinner? Anywhere you’d like.”
Her face fell. “What about my party?”
Christian gently placed his hand on his daughter’s arm. “I don’t think they’re coming, sweetheart.”
Chills skittered across Hallie’s skin at the sadness in his voice. She shared a pained look with Sherry, who sat with Penelope on her lap in the armchair next to the couch. Danica had abandoned the living room completely for the solace of the kitchen.
“Why not?” Isla asked.
He dropped his head. “I don’t know. And I’m so sorry.”
For a moment, Isla looked as though she might cry. But as Christian moved to wrap his arms around her shoulders, she stomped her foot so hard, her curly ponytail jumped straight up.
