“Oh, I don’t know,” Fox countered from the kitchen table, clasping his hands behind his neck. “You could just ask her if she wants to come over again. I’m sure you can find a way to talk to her, even though that’s not your strong suit, right?”
Lucas pressed his lips together and gave him a warning glance over his shoulder. He should have known it was a stupid idea to invite his best friend to breakfast. But Melody had said she wanted to see Uncle Austin again before they left for Phoenix for five days — and how could Lucas say no to that? You didn’t tell a five-year-old girl that Uncle Austin was currently angry at him for having sex with Aunt Anna in the communal shower even though he’d stated they were merely friends.
Shit, he wouldn’t tell Melody that even if she were twenty, or forty, for that matter!
“Yes, please, ask her, okay?” Melody looked at him hopefully. “She wanted to show me how to put on a cast and was going to bring a saw to remove it. She said if you were okay with it, I could even use it!” Her eyes lit up, not unlike the toaster. “Anna says they really only saw the cast, not the arms or legs, but I’ll have to see for myself.”
The corners of his mouth suggested a smile. Yes, naturally, he had a child who dreamed of sawing through limbs.
“I’ll talk to her,” he said hesitantly as the toaster spat out the bread. “But you should concentrate more on eating. Your grandparents will be here soon to pick you up.”
Melody sighed heavily and slid the hot toast onto her plate. “Fine.”
“How’s kindergarten going, Mel?” Fox wanted to know.
“Hmm,” she said, frowning. “The other kids said I was an orphan. What does that mean?”
Fox immediately sat up straighter and exchanged a look with Lucas, whose heart sank.
“Who said that?” Lucas asked.
“Just the other kids. What’s an orphan, Lu?”
He sighed heavily. “An orphan is someone whose parents are both dead.”
“Oh,” she said, seeming thoughtful for a few seconds. Then she said, “Well, then I’m not an orphan. I have you.”
He smiled and nodded. “Exactly.”
“Yep,” Fox confirmed, making a move to stand.
“What are you doing?” Melody wanted to know immediately.
“Getting some coffee,” he said, puzzled.
“No, no. You’re the guest. Stay seated. I…” She tapped her chin before whispering to Lucas, “Lu, can you make Uncle Austin some coffee? I don’t know how.”
He smiled. “No problem. I can teach you.”
She shook her head vigorously. “I’m not old enough for that yet. And I need to concentrate on eating because Grandma and Grandpa are coming soon.”
She picked up her plate from the sideboard, walked around the table, and sat down next to Fox.
“Mel, it would be polite to offer our guest the first toast, you know?” Lucas reminded her.
“Oh,” she said, looking at Fox wide-eyed. “Um. Would you like some?” She stuck out her lower lip along with the plate.
Fox grinned broadly. “No, no. I’m waiting for an egg.”
Her shoulders slumped in relief. “That’s good because I don’t want an egg.”
Of course not. At the moment – and that meant for going on nine months – her favorite food was honey.
Lucas watched her dip the knife into the glass and spread the sticky mess generously on her bread and fingers.
It was good that Melody was here in the kitchen with them. No one could be angry in her presence, especially not Fox. He had a weakness for children. He'd always wanted them. His ex-wife hadn’t, but she had failed to tell him that in the five years they were together. That had ultimately been the reason for his divorce — and for his unhealthy distrust of people, especially the women he dated. Not that Fox dated anyone. Ever.
Lucas transferred the eggs to two plates, placed one along with his cup of coffee in front of Fox, and the other in front of Melody, who was already looking at him expectantly.
