Dad was at the counter giving Courtney a file. “Oh, there you are,” he said. “Everything okay with the kittens?”
Oh, the kittens . . .
“Yes. They’re feeding well. His concerns are unfounded, as he’s doing a great job. I offered to help him with inventory and cataloging tonight at the bookstore so I won’t be able to watch our show. I hope you don’t mind. Here’s your pastry.” I held out the white paper bag. “I haven’t eaten yet because I didn’t realize the time.”
Dad took the bag and looked inside, then gave me a warm smile.
It was my favorite of all his smiles. The one that said he was happy and a little proud of me.
I wasn’t sure why he was proud. “It’s just a pastry,” I added. “The one you asked for. The diner was very busy and loud, and I wanted to leave but Winter was with me, so we ordered and he waited outside with me.”
Dad’s smile got warmer, prouder.
“We’ve got a quiet afternoon,” he said. “So come on, let’s go have coffee and you can tell me all about it.” He looked in one of the bags and gave it to Courtney. “For you!”
“Thank you, Deacon. This is so nice of you,” she said. “Perfect timing because I just poured myself some coffee.”
“Dad asked me to get it for you,” I said, and she laughed.
Dad was still watching me, but he spoke to her as he ushered me toward the breakroom. “Give us thirty minutes. We have a lot to talk about.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant. “I just told you everything that happened,” I said, as he sat me at the table. “What else is there to talk about for thirty minutes? If you’re disappointed I won’t be there to watch our show, I can tellWinter I’ll be there after eight. I doubt he’ll mind. I told him we watch our show at seven every night, so he won’t be surprised. In fact, he said after is fine, so if you’d prefer?—”
Dad put two plates on the table. “You told him?”
I nodded. “Of course. Dinner at six,Antiques Roadshowat seven.” It wasn’t like I told him I showered in between.
Dad poured two cups of coffee. “And what did he say about that?”
“He said he loves that show, and he prefers the English version.”
“Like you do.” He put a cup in front of me and sat in his seat. “That’s nice.”
“I told him we have a lot in common.”
“You did, huh?”
I nodded again, remembering how his cheeks had been so pink. “Do we still have any of those promotional scarves from the sales representative?”
“Ah, yes. I believe so, why?”
“I think I’d like to give one to Winter. He was cold. He said he has a scarf at home but he didn’t have one with him.”
“I don’t know, Deac. He probably doesn’t want to wear a scarf with the logo of a dog wormer on it.”
I didn’t see why that would matter. “Better than being cold.”
“True.” He put the pastries on our plates. “Eat up.”
I was rather hungry. Now that I no longer had a tummy ache.
Dad’s mind must have gone to the same place as mine. “Feeling better now?” he asked after a few bites.
“Much.”
“It’s normal to be nervous when you’re excited about something but unsure of how it will go.”
I nodded, but my mouth was full so I couldn’t speak.
