eyed the food line and spotted Doug standing alone in front of his house. A lonely feeling crept through her. She’d been doing the same thing since Todd had turned his back on her. Alone. Her memory kicked in, and she snapped her finger. “Doug asked me to tell Kimmy to go home so she can eat.”
Angie eyed the line and then turned toward Rick. “Time to eat.” She pointed down the street.
Carly bounded across the grass with Kimmy on her heels. “Can Kimmy eat with us? We have room.” She gestured to the long folding table.
Angie looked down the road. “Kimmy, you need to ask your uncle Doug first. If he says yes, tell him we have plenty of room at our table and he’s invited, too. I don’t want him eating alone. Okay?”
Kimmy nodded, and Carly jumped in on the task.
Angie grinned. “Okay, you can both go, but wait down there. We’re going to get in line, too.”
“I’ll go with them.” Before Angie responded, Nina followed behind the children. As she neared Doug, she scrutinized him in a way she hadn’t before. When they met earlier, she’d noticed his good looks but not his physique. He had to be nearly six feet with a lean waist and a great set of shoulders. She liked his executive haircut that seemed to have a mind of its own.
Doug stood as she neared, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed her steady gaze. By the time she arrived, the girls had already given him the invitation.
“I’m sorry, Doug. I almost forgot to deliver your message, but here she is.” She chuckled, hoping he would smile. “You might as well join us.”
He hesitated, a thoughtful expression growing.
“I’m sitting with them, too. Makes it more of a party.”
“Please, Uncle Doug.” Kimmy’s plaintive urging did the trick.
“Why not?” He shrugged, and again his hands vanished into his pockets.
Nerves or a habit? She longed to know which.
When Angie arrived, the kids joined her, and then she and Doug fell into line.
When Nina spotted Doug’s baked beans, she took a big spoonful and he gave her a smile. Surprised, she grinned back, liking that he’d finally let her see a new side of him. The man was too attractive to not smile. She completed her plate with a slab of ham, but chuckled when the girls headed for the hot dogs. Kids and hot dogs.
“I’ll check out desserts later.” She tilted her head toward the array of goodies and maneuvered her way back to Angie’s table with Doug’s smile the sweetest treat of all.
* * *
Doug stared at his plate, wishing his appetite would return. He’d become overwhelmed by too many things. He’d always been a responsible person, sure of his decisions and able to roll with the punches. Not lately. He’d weighed the reasons, and the best answer he found was Roseanne’s accident and feeling unprepared to be a temporary father figure. Though he could handle a multifaceted career, he had no idea how parents kept up with a child’s energy and needs. No wonder he’d hesitated looking for a wife.
He looked at Nina. Something about her captured him. Although nice looking, she wasn’t a woman most men would call beautiful, yet he saw a kind of beauty. He admired her long wavy hair, the color of a chestnut, sort of brown with hints of red. She tied it back, and he longed to see it flowing around her shoulders. Her eyes tilted downward, and though she held a direct gaze, something in her eyes seemed haunting. She had an appeal that went deeper than physical beauty.
Delving his fork into pasta salad, he stopped his musing. Women hadn’t penetrated his hardened mind for years, so why now? His job kept him busy, and he’d always tried to be there for his sister, whose life hadn’t been the smoothest. And then sweet Kimmy. That broke his heart.
He swallowed hard, forcing the pasta down his throat and following it with a long drink of iced tea.
“You’re quiet.”
Nina had leaned close enough for him to smell her fragrance, like fresh-picked fruit. “Sorry.” He managed a grin. “My mind got tangled somewhere. I think in your scent. You took me away to an orchard. I could almost hear birds singing.” A flush grew on his cheeks. “Sorry, I got carried away.”
Nina grinned. “It was a lovely compliment.” She paused while a question flickered in her eyes. “What kind of birds?”
He laughed and it felt odd. “I’ll have to think about that.”
When she chuckled, his spirit lifted. How long had it been since he’d really laughed?
Though they had been talking drivel, his shoulders had eased, and a good feeling rolled through him. He glanced toward Kimmy to make sure she was behaving. But he had no need to worry. She and Carly were talking and giggling like old friends. “I’m glad the girls have each other. I moved here at a terrible time. I’d thought Roseanne would be back by the time moving day arrived, but with the accident...” He shook his head.
“Kimmy seems to have adjusted well. You’re, apparently, doing a good job.”
“I’ve misled you if you think that. Every day was a struggle until Carly came along. I was trying to balance my work hours with child care hours. Can you imagine my telling her bedtime stories?”
“I can.” Her grin broadened. “You have a nice speaking voice, and I’m sure you can read.” She added a wink. “And, most of all, you love her. I can tell.”
His cheeks warmed with her compliment. “Thanks. I do love her.”
“You’ll make a good dad one day.”
Her comment addled him, and not knowing what to say, he changed the subject. “What brought you to Owosso?”
“I work in public relations, and I was tired of traffic and high-priced apartment rentals. I couldn’t afford a house in the city. So when I learned we had a branch in Owosso, and I could transfer, I jumped at the chance. Home prices are much better here. Payments are less than my apartment.”
“I found that to be true, too. But do you like small town living?”
“I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I think I do. It’s friendly. Have you ever had a block party in downtown Chicago? Or Detroit?”
He chuckled, but before he responded, Angie’s voice cut through their prattle.
“What are you two laughing about?”
“The weather.” Nina grinned. “About apartments in the city versus owning a home out here.”
Angie’s fiancé, Rick, nodded. “I’m with you on that one. Not so much the price but the space and freedom. Carly loves the yard. My apartment doesn’t have one.”
Angie rose. “Anyone ready for refills?”
Rick eyed the girls. “More food, ladies, or dessert?”
Kimmy bounced beside him. “Me, too, Uncle Doug?”
After
