“That’s enough,” Richard said in a low voice.
Donna crossed her arms in front of her chest. “If I’m not wanted, I don’t have a choice, do I?”
Richard wrapped his arm around Paris’ waist. “If you give me your house keys, I’ll take your mom home, pick up her things, and get her settled into the center. Jack’s watching TV with Louie.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Oh, for goodness sakes. He’s a grown man. Of course, he’ll be okay.” And with those parting words, Donna stormed out of the kitchen.
Richard hugged her. “I won’t be too long. Give me a call if you need me.”
Paris nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Lock the door behind me.”
After Richard and her mom left, Paris returned to the kitchen. Picking up her mom’s coffee, she tipped it down the sink. She wished her mother was different and, that one day, she’d have the courage to stop drinking. But until that day came, Paris couldn’t give her what she wanted.
“Has your mom gone home?” Jack asked from the kitchen doorway.
Paris nodded. “Your dad’s dropping her off and coming straight back. Are you enjoying the movie?”
“It’s awesome. Do you want to watch it with me?
She wrapped her arm around Jack’s shoulders, taking strength from his happiness. “I’d love to. Where’s Louie?”
“He fell asleep on the sofa. He snores, just like dad.”
For the first time that night, Paris smiled. “I didn’t know your dad snores.”
“He sounds like a freight train.” They walked into the living room and Jack flopped onto the sofa. “I’m watching Shrek. Have you seen it?”
“I watched it a long time ago. I like it, too.” With her legs curled under her, Paris tried to relax. But, all she could hear was her mother’s voice, telling her she might as well not have a daughter.
Chapter 20
Richard was glad to finally be home. He walked into the living room and smiled. Jack was watching the end of Shrek, and Paris was sound asleep on the sofa. With her long lashes shadowing her cheeks, and jet-black hair hanging loose around her shoulders, she could have been Snow White waiting for her Prince Charming.
Except he was no prince, and rescuing anyone from their wicked mother wasn’t something he wanted to repeat. Especially after what had happened tonight.
He’d felt sick when he heard what Donna was telling Paris in the kitchen. Throughout their meal, he’d ignored Donna’s backhanded compliments, the comments that must have twisted like a knife inside her daughter’s heart. He’d moved the conversation onto safer topics and hoped Paris knew how much he wanted to protect her.
By the end of the night, the only thing he could do was make sure Donna had somewhere else to stay.
Silently, he moved across the room. Louie lifted his head from Jack’s lap and gave a deep doggy sigh. When Jack saw him, Richard held a finger to his lips and pointed at Paris.
Jack nodded and wiggled off the sofa. “She missed the best part,” he whispered.
“Paris can watch the rest of the movie another day. How about I put you to bed?”
“Okay.” Jack and Louie followed him upstairs. “Can we see Paris’ mom tomorrow?”
“I don’t know if she’ll still be here, but she enjoyed having dinner with us. How was Paris after we left?”
“She enjoyed the movie. She likes spending time with us.”
“How do you feel about her?”
Jack walked into the bathroom and took his toothbrush out of a cup. “She’s nice. Paris is always happy, except tonight. She looked sad when her mom left.”
