“The least you could do was call before you showed up uninvited.”
“Every time I call, you say you’re just leaving. There’s never a time that’s convenient. She’s my daughter, too, Ally. If you don’t start making it easier for me to see her, I’m going to take you back to court.”
He’d had to hire an attorney and get a DNA test to prove he was Hannah’s father. He’d spent a small fortune on legal fees to establish his rights, and if Allison continued to block his visitation, he was going to have to go to court again.
“Do whatever you like,” Allison said smugly. Because she was still on Daddy’s purse strings, legal fees and court costs weren’t a problem for her. “You should have thought of Hannah before you left me.”
“You’re the one who ended it, Ally. I would have married you and you know it.”
“And divorced me. You made no bones about it. You said from the start you didn’t think it would work.”
“I couldn’t make you happy. Both of us knew that.” He tipped his head to the man who stood watching from a few feet away, back straight, shoulders rigid. Slender, athletic, and handsome, he looked like a guy who played tennis or golf; not a tough guy, but ready to defend his damsel in distress.
“Who’s your friend?” Ethan asked.
Allison glanced behind her, tossed her shoulder-length auburn curls, gave the poor fool a come-on smile. “That’s Arthur. If it’s any of your business, which it isn’t.”
Ethan ignored the guy, tried not to feel sorry for him. “I just want to see Hannah, Ally. I’d think you’d be happy about it. Seems like you could use a little time to yourself once in a while.”
Arthur walked up beside her, set a hand possessively at her waist. “If you want me to make him leave, Allison, I will.”
“Take it easy,” Ethan said. “I’m just here to see my kid.” He turned to Ally. “Give me five minutes and I’m gone.”
Her mouth curved into a catty smile. “Why should I?”
“Because if you don’t, there’s going to be trouble and your friend will feel obliged to interfere. That won’t go well for him. Five minutes. That’s all I want.”
She cast Arthur a glance. He was puffed up and ready to fight. Ally must have known what the outcome would be if she goaded him any further.
“Fine. Five minutes. Then you leave.”
“We’ll be out on the front porch.” Hannah clung to his neck as he strode back in the direction he’d come from and walked out through the side gate.
“I missed you, Daddy.”
He hugged her tighter. “I’ve missed you, too, cupcake. I’ve got to go away for a while, but when I get back, we’ll work it out so Daddy can see you more often, okay?”
She grinned, her ponytail bobbing up and down. “Will you be back in time for my birthday?”
The tour would be over by then and he’d already made plans for the occasion. “Absolutely. We’ll do something really special, I promise.”
“Will you take me on a pony ride?”
“I will, if that’s what you want to do and your mom says it’s okay.” Though there was every chance Ally would pitch a fit just to cause trouble.
They sat on the porch together, Hannah in his lap. Five minutes turned into six or seven before the door jerked open.
“Okay, that’s it. Tell your father good night, Hannah.”
“Can’t he stay a little longer, Mommy?”
“No. He has to leave. Besides, it’s your bedtime.”
Ethan gave her a last quick hug and kiss and set her on her feet.
She waved. “’Night, Daddy.”
“’Night, cupcake.”
