He stared into his glass. “I'm glad you can make light of it. It hasn't been that easy for me. When Nancy and I split up, I didn't think I'd have to fight tooth and nail to see my daughter, but that's the way it's turned out.”
“I'm sorry. Divorce stinks. When children are involved, it's even harder.”
His gaze met hers across the table. “I love Megan. I don't want her to grow up and never know me. Is that so wrong? I didn't divorce Megan, I divorced Nancy. There's a hell of a lot of difference. I lay awake nights worrying about my daughter.” He dug in his back pocket and brought out his billfold. “Want to see a picture of my little girl?”
She took it from him.
A small blond-haired child sat beside a striking brunette. The diamond on Nancy's well-manicured finger must have cost a small fortune.
“She's beautifulâboth of them, for that matter.” Jenny ran her fingers through her hair as she looked at the photograph. “I must look a mess.”
“You look good.” His gaze softened. “I like your hair down like that.”
He laid his hand over hers. Brian's touch seemed like a boy's next to Dave's. It wasn't fair to compare Dave to Brianâthere was no comparison. Not in looks, attitude or the way she reacted to him. The concern in his eyes made her want to strangle his ex-wife. It seemed grossly unfair to use the child as a pawn. Obviously, Nancy knew where to strike and what would hurt him most.
“Don't worry. It takes time to locate a missing person. Perhaps if you relax and give it another week or two.” If anything bad happened, you'd be notified.“ She covered the rim of her glass, shaking her head when the waiter was about to refill it.
Pushing his glass aside, Dave pulled a credit card out of his billfold and laid it on the check tray. The waiter disappeared.
“Sorry to be such bad company,” he apologized. “I guess being with Dory this week has brought back memories of when Megan was a baby.”
“I understand.” Jenny gazed at the sleeping infant. “At least you have a daughter.” She was thirty-one and not even close to motherhood.
Â
THE WINE made Jenny sleepy. On the ferry ride home, she leaned on his shoulder and dozed. Dave glanced at Dory and adjusted her head more comfortably on his lap.
He sobered, thinking about Megan. How many times had she lain on his lap, sleeping? Tendrils of blond hair framing wide, innocent blue eyes. God, he missed her so much it hurt. Was she all right? Was Nancy off on another one of her jaunts with her newest lover? He wouldn't put it past her. Consideration wasn't her strong suit.
His gaze moved to Jenny, snoring softly. He grinned. She'd freak if she knew what she was doing. Especially in front of him. The grin faded. He liked her. Not only liked her, he was feeling an attraction he hadn't felt for a woman in a long time.
Why hadn't she rented the building tonight? She'd liked it. She wasn't just saying so to make him happy. She had no idea he wanted her space. Word of mouth would keep her business thriving. She might even think about franchising her product. There wasn't another fudge shop around that could match her.
Was money tight? He should have asked. He gently lifted a lock of hair off her face. Hell, he could foot the first year's rent and let her pay it back at her convenience. Should he offer? No. She was a nineties woman. She'd make it on her own or she wouldn't make it at all. His mind drifted to Brian, the man she had wanted to marry. Why would a man have a hard time committing to her?
The ferry docked, and Jenny roused. She sat up, looked around, blinked sleepily, then blushed. “Did I fall asleep?”
“For a few minutes.”
“Did I...snore?”
He laughed and didn't want to embarrass her. “You were so quiet, I shook you once to see if you were still alive.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I shouldn't have had so much wine. It always wipes me out.”
“Tell you what.” Dave handed her the blanket, then picked up Dory in one arm, the stroller and diaper bag in the other. “Why don't I take Dory home with me tonight? There's a baby crib in the upstairs guest room. Aunt Mosie insisted she have one when Megan was little.”
“Oh, Dave...”
He saw her reluctance and tried to ease her concerns. “You could get a good night's sleep. And it would be nice to have a baby in the house again.”
“That wouldn't seem right. Rob left Dory with me.”
“I'm a responsible adult. Let me help you, Jenny. You're tired, and it's late. I'll enjoy the company.”
She looked unconvinced.
“Are you sure? She's up at least a couple of times a night....” She trailed behind him as they left the boat, listing all the things that could go wrong.
“I can handle whatever comes up.” When she covered her mouth in a series of yawns, he could see she was softening. He sweetened the pot. “You can sleep late in the morning.”
That sealed it. He doubted she'd had over four hours' sleep since Rob had left Dory on her doorstep.
When they parted at the end of the peer, she kissed Dory goodbye. “See you in the morning, sweetie.”
“I'll be here,” Dave teased.
“Not you.” She punched his arm, yawning again. “If the slightest thing goes wrong, you call me. Understand
?
”
“It's pretty complicated, but I think I've got it.”
“And she likes oatmeal for breakfast.”
“Got It.”
She released a sigh. “Thanks, Dave. I'm going to bed.”
“See you in the morning.”
She walked off, then suddenly turned and called, “She likes to be rocked!”
Dave nodded. “Who doesn't?”
He watched her disappear into the shadows, admiring the curve of her hips. She wasn't overly thin, like some women. He liked that.
Better ideaâwe can send Dory home and you can stay all night with me.
“Hey, Jenny?”
“Yes?” Her voice came back to him.
“What about the building we looked at? You like it?”
“I love it!”
He grinned. “I'll call Loyal in the morning.”
“Great!”
Â
“WE'VE ALL GOT PROBLEMS, Sam!” Dave stuffed scrambled eggs into Dory's mouth. She spat it at him. He should have made oatmeal, but he didn't have any. “How can they always be two steps ahead of you?” Angry heat spread up his face. “I've already missed Megan's birthday, and at the rate you're going, I'll miss Christmas! No more excuses. Give me something positive!” He slammed the receiver down.
Wiping a hand over his face, he took a deep breath. He hadn't been this frustrated since his last court battle with Nancy.
Dory stared at him solemnly.
“Want some bananas?”
She giggled, kicking her feet.
As he spooned strained fruit in her mouth, he rifled through kite orders. Why couldn't he be as successful with women as he was with business? Then life would be good.
He had an odd feeling about Nancy and her sudden disappearance. It was unusual even for her. She wasn't one to think of his feelings, but neither had she ever completely gone back on her word about leaving Megan with him.
He reached for the receiver and dialed Alstairs Realtors. A woman's voice answered, and he asked for Loyal.
“Loyal? Dave Kasada.”
“Dave! I was hoping to hear from you.”
“Well, she loves the space. Why don't you get a contract ready. She'll most likely be contacting you later today.”
“Sure thing. How long a lease will she want?”
“You'll have to talk to herâI just want to make sure the space doesn't get away.”
“I'll take care of it.”
“Thanks. Loyal.”
He hung up then carried Dory into the bathroom. Stripping off her soiled nightie, he winked. “Most women look sallow in bananas. Fruit looks good on you.”
Â
JENNY GLANCED UP from the copper kettle as Dave walked into the shop around nine. “Hi, I was getting worried about you. How's Dory this morning?”
He looked like Kevin Costner first thing in the morning. She looked like Courtney Love before she became a movie star. Jenny had worked on the financial report until three. This morning she'd overslept. She'd barely had time to jump into the shower and dab on a little lipstick. She peeled off the plastic gloves and self-consciously smoothed her hair into place. It was still damp. With the natural curl, she probably looked like Princess.
Dave set the baby carrier down. “She's a little out of sortsâthat tooth's bothering her.”
Jenny wiped her hands on her apron and took the baby from him. “Did you get any sleep at all?”
“Some. I bought a teething ring and iced it down in the freezer. It seemed to help. Tonight I'llâ”
“You can't keep her tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because you just can't. Rob left her with me.” She realized how juvenile that sounded, but she wanted Dory with her. Hang the financial reports and Fudgeballs. “I'm getting caught up with my orders.” She nuzzled Dory. “I've missed you, sweetie.” Dory grabbed Jenny's finger, stuck it in her mouth and clamped down hard. Jenny sucked in her breath and grinned when she felt something sharp. “Dave!” She probed the front gums, grinning. “She's got
two
teeth!”
Dave was instantly at her side, poking his finger in Dory's mouth. “I'll be damned, there
are
two. Where did the second one come from? It wasn't there last night.”
Jenny felt giddy. It was a momentous occasion. “Here, hold her while I get the camera.”
She was aware of his gaze following her to the back room. She didn't have to look at him to sense his interest. The tingling sensation down her spine told her he was looking at her as a woman rather than a neighbor. She had to keep her distance. The more she was around him, the more she enjoyed his company. Her growing interest and dependence scared her.
She returned a moment later. “I found it, and it still has film. We're in luck.”
Dave exchanged the baby for the camera. “I'll get a shot of you holding Dory.”
“Not the way I look,” she protested.
“You're gorgeous. Hold Dory's mouth open.”
It took several tries to get the pose just right. Jenny tickled Dory's belly to make her laugh just before Dave snapped the picture. She was still giggling with Dory when she handed the baby to him. “Now you.”
Their hands brushed as they made the switch. She was certain Dave's fingers lingered longer than necessary. Or was it that when they touched, everything moved in slow motion? Heat spread to parts of her body she'd purposely ignored since her breakup with Brian. Was it her imagination, or did she sense reluctance when his hand left hers? She didn't need this complication in her life. He obviously wasn't in the market for a relationship, and she had enough to contend with without falling in love.
“All right, now let me get a shot of you,” she teased.
“Me?” Dave frowned. “Forget it. I hate having my picture taken.”
“Too bad!” She grinned, lifting the camera.
He lowered Dory in front of him till the top of her head was at his chin, crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out the side of his mouth just as the flash went off.
“That'll be one she can show to her grandkids,” Jenny grumbled.
Dory began sucking her fist and whimpering.
“Is she hungry?” She laid the camera on the counter.
“No, I just fed her.” Dave lifted the baby over his shoulder and patted her. “I'll take her to the house and put her down for a nap. Peter's watching the store this morning.”
Jenny stiffened. He was doing it again. All of a sudden he was taking care of Dory and she wasn't. “No. I know you're more experienced, but I think I'm doing just fine for a beginner.”
“You're doing a great job, but you're busy and I'm not.
Jenny rounded the display case. “I don't mean to sound ungrateful. You've been a big help, but I can take it from here. I've imposed enough as it is. I really shouldn't have involved you.”
The door opened, and a stream of customers poured in. They spread out, crowding the small floor space.
Jenny tried to take Dory from him.
He held on tightly.
She pulled at Dory, and Dory fussed louder.