“No?” Nigel choked.
“No. I have an opportunity to get to know the daughter I’d been told wasn’t mine.” The words came out more forcefully, even with vehemence. His eyes blazed for a second, and the usually mellow man suddenly looked like a fiery defender. “And I will protect this opportunity with everything in me.”
Go, Eb. Sandra’s admiration for the man made another leap, a desire to be the one receiving such a powerful response making butterflies erupt in her stomach. It’d been years since she’d experienced anything similar and reminded her of the tingles earlier.
Warning flags went up. She couldnotbe attracted to Eb Grinchly. He was only a friend. Sandra refused to consider anything more. Because she could never have more again. And yet, the more she argued with herself, the more the butterflies danced.No. Sandra had to think of something else.
“Are you planning to at least see an attorney about the letter she left you?” she asked. “It might carry some weight in court. I wonder how long it takes before you could claim abandonment, if she were to show up wanting to take Rue back.”
“Excellent suggestion.” Nigel glanced over his shoulder toward the children’s laughter before turning back. “She seems to have made an excellent adjustment so far.”
“I can thank Sandra for that.” He looked at her as he said it. Like, really looked at her.
Dang.If he’d done this on Sandra’s singles cruise last year, he’d have been a hit with the ladies. It made her stomach go all fluttery again.
“I was just helping a friend.”
When the glow in Eb’s eyes faded and he dropped his gaze to his plate, Sandra wished she’d said it differently. She wasn’t sure what was going on between them. It should be nothing. Neither of them was looking for a relationship. He had plenty to handle with Rue. Besides, her ability to be what the father in him wanted had been stolen from her long ago.
Still, whatever it was brought a tingly kind of anticipation. Something which made Sandra wish she could pursue it. But, no.
Her phone rang, and she fumbled for it.
“I have ahugefavor to ask, and I’ll understand if you can’t do it,” Merry said. “We’ve been invited to go with a potential investor to another ski resort, but it means an overnight stay. We wouldn’t be back until late Saturday, but as you know, Mom and Walt are due back then, anyway.”
“I wasn’t doing anything but my laundry, and I can do it on Sunday.” Sandra glanced at Eb, her brows raised. “And shopping for a bed for Rue. Any problem if we take the kids with us?”
He nodded at the same time Merry said through the phone, “It should be no problem. If Rue doesn’t have a bed, would she like to have a sleepover with Grace? She has bunk beds in her room and would be thrilled to have a guest, I’m sure.”
Sandra repeated the offer to Eb, and he gave a grateful nod.
“Have fun,” she said.
“Thank you again!” Merry disconnected.
Eb looked like he wanted to say something but was unsure.
“My grandson’s home has more than one guest room,” Nigel said, seeming to understand. “So there is room for you. I imagine you would feel better being close to your daughter on this first night that she is with you.”
“Yes,” he said. “Thank you so much.”
“Perfect.” Sandra rose. “Let’s tell the kids then.”
CHAPTERFIVE
Eb woke the next morning a little bleary-eyed, having had a difficult time falling asleep. Part of it had been because of the happy giggles from Grace’s bedroom upstairs. The guest room assigned to him was underneath it, and their childish whispers had come through the vents. They’d given him a sense of euphoria.
But they’d also made him wonder what kind of life Paige had provided for Rue. Was she naturally so bright and happy, or had her mother fostered it in her? Or, and he thought this more likely, the nanny his daughter missed so much had something to do with it. There was so much about Rue’s life he didn’t know.
The smell of cooking pancakes finally drew Eb from his bed. He took a quick shower in the en suite bathroom and changed back into the clothes he’d worn the day before. Eb grimaced at the crumpled appearance in his reflection. He would suggest he stop at his condo to change.
“Daddy,” Rue cried as he came up the stairs.
She dashed to him and wrapped her arms around his legs. It was a good thing he had a hand on the railing, or they might have toppled back down. But her joyous welcome filled him with warm gratitude, and he lifted her for a hug. Her little arms squeezed his neck, and his heart seemed to swell with love for this little girl.
Paige had robbed him of this for four years. Anger threatened to spoil the moment, and he pushed back the emotion. He wanted to savor every second with her. From his own sad experience, he knew too well how erratic Paige could be. Sandra was right. He had to do everything in his power to protect his rights as Rue’s father.
When his daughter straightened, she cupped his cheeks, her expression serious now. “Can Jeanie come see me?”
