Austin had made it clear he wasn’t interested in getting involved with her, so she needed to keep her growing feelings for him and his kids in check.
Like I can control that.
She took a deep breath before opening the door. No need for Austin to know how excited she was to see him.
One look at the man on the other side of the door, and the air whooshed from her lungs. “Austin, what’s the matter?”
He often looked exhausted when he arrived for dinner, but something about his posture and the look on his face tonight went beyond fatigue. The fine lines around his eyes were deeper and longer than usual. His hair stood on end, and his shoulders hunched.
He stepped through the door and grabbed her hand. “I need to discuss something important with you.”
Debbie’s stomach dropped at the seriousness in his voice. She studied his face.
He was worried about something. Something serious.
Was it financial problems? Debbie would help him in a heartbeat if he’d let her.
“Daddy’s here!” Cody ran at Austin with his arms open wide.
Austin swept his son up and hugged him.
Is that a tear on his lashes?
Cody squealed. “You’re squishing me, Daddy.”
“Sorry, buddy.” He set Cody down and pulled Dallas, who stood nearby, into his arms for a hug.
Debbie frowned. What’s up with him tonight?
He always greeted his kids with a hug when he came home, but tonight there was a desperation in the way he held them.
After Austin released Dallas, he went straight to the dining room.
Debbie followed.
He wrapped an arm around Savannah and pulled her tight against his side. “It looks amazing, honey. Have I told you how proud I am of you?”
“Thanks, Dad.” She laid her head on his shoulder, and a little zing of warmth shot through Debbie’s chest at the scene.
Austin cupped her head and pressed a kiss to her hair. Tears filled Debbie’s eyes. This single father had a great relationship with his children.
Savannah lifted her head and looked at her dad. “What’s wrong?”
He chuckled, but it sounded forced. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
Savannah put down her brush and pallet and folded her arms. She stared at her dad with a furrowed brow.
He let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders drooping with the action. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.” He cast a glance toward Debbie and the boys. “Later, tonight. Okay?”
The confused girl nodded, but her face showed the same bewilderment Debbie felt.
Austin turned toward Debbie. “What can I do to help with dinner?”
They spent the next few minutes finishing preparations while the boys set the table. The meal was filled with Dallas and Cody’s usual chatter, but a tension surrounded the table that the boys seemed oblivious to.
Savannah cast as many concerned glances at Austin as Debbie did. Each one was answered with a tight smile.
Thanks to Austin’s unusual behavior, Debbie didn’t have much of an appetite. Judging by the food he pushed around his plate, he didn’t either. When the boys finally finished eating, Debbie wasn’t sure who hurried the clean-up process more; her or Savannah.
