Tammy followed with a smile on her face. She enjoyed being in the girl’s presence. Jack lingered behind a moment to pay his bill, but then followed the two of them out of the door. Together, all three of them made their way through Berkeley, enjoying the nice weather. Dixie was adamant about holding her newfound friend’s hand the whole way. Her father couldn’t convince her to let go, no matter what he said. Tammy, however, didn’t mind at all.
She noticed that Jack lived in the most affluent part of town. The houses started to get bigger and the lawns greener and well groomed. Even with the current onset of drought, these people seemed to have perfect grass. She thought back to her own house, where her front lawn had the prevailing, brittle color of sand.
“Here we are,” Jack announced, turning onto a cobblestone pathway, leading up to a large, eggshell-colored home. He smiled and opened the door. Instantly, a large, shaggy sheepdog appeared, barreling toward them. He bypassed Jack and tackled Dixie. The little girl toppled into the grass with a giggle. She started to pet and scratch the dog’s side, making it shake its leg in pleasure.
“I missed you,” Dixie whispered into its big, floppy ears. In return, the dog licked her face, getting slobber all over her. “School’s no fun without you.”
Tammy noticed Jack wince at that remark and smiled. Poor Jack really did have his hands full.
“She really likes her dog…” Tammy observed.
“I got him when she was just a baby. They practically grew up together,” Jack explained.
Jack took a tentative step toward Tammy so that their shoulders nearly touched. He’d been out of the dating and social scene for so long that he wanted to test his own reactions to Tammy in small ways and see if that connection he’d felt at Cupid’s was real. His heart quickened, and a sense of rightness filled him. Jack didn’t know what it was about this woman, but she had a way of making him feel completely at ease. He smiled and allowed the moment to last a little longer. Just him, his daughter with her fur ball of a dog, and a red-haired fairytale princess come to life.
Finally, the dog got up and approached Tammy, sniffing her feet. She leaned down and scratched his head. He howled in pleasure and wagged his tail. Tammy laughed when Alfred jumped up and licked her face.
“I knew he’d like you,” Dixie declared and then walked over to grab the dog’s leash from Jack’s hand. She carefully placed the harness around his chest and clipped the lead to it. “Okay. Let’s go.” She held the bright red lead in her hand with a confident pose.
Chapter 5
Tammy's eyes widened, and she looked from Jack back to Dixie and Alfred. The dog had to outweigh the girl by at least fifty pounds, maybe more.
“Don’t worry. He’s too lazy to go after squirrels or cats. He stays by her side unless he sees food, in which case even I can’t hold him down.” Jack slid his hands into his pockets and began to walk toward the university.
Tammy walked by his side. She had the sudden urge to take his hand, but refrained, thinking it was inappropriate. She had just met this man after all, and she had to try to hold to her new motto for more than twenty-four hours. I have enough willpower for that, right? She’d promised that she concentrate on herself and what made her happy. She didn’t need a guy for that. Jack did make her happy, but it was all too soon to be thinking long term.
Besides, he was a widower and still seemed to be very much in love with his wife. Tammy had seen the pain in his eyes when he spoke of her. Imagine a love that lasts like that. A sweet guy like Jack with a handful of a daughter didn’t need unwanted advances from her. So, Tammy left her hand at her side and walked with them as they followed the path through the university gates and entered the main green.
The large park area was pristine. It was trimmed to perfection, and there wasn’t a weed in sight. It was full of college students, sitting around, enjoying the few days before classes started. A few of them even played Frisbee or catch, to pass the time.
When they reached a bench, Jack turned to his daughter. “Go ahead and play. But stay where I can see you and stay out of trouble,” he warned her.
Dixie nodded and ran off with Alfred by her side. Without hesitation, she approached a group of girls sitting on a large blanket. She sat down beside them and smiled. Tammy saw that same pleading look that Dixie had given her earlier. Within a second, the entire party of girls surrounded Dixie.
“She’s something else,” Tammy commented, looking over at Jack’s daughter.
“Yeah. She takes after her mother. She was such a social butterfly, but always a mischievous one. I could never keep her in check.”
“She sounds like a wonderful woman.”
“She was. That’s why I married her.”
Jack’s face lit with a half-smile and Tammy couldn’t tell if it was a happy or a sad smile. Maybe somewhere in between.
Silence settled between them as they sat down on the bench together. It was a comfortable kind of silence; the kind that came with years of knowing each other. The time seemed to pass slowly, and Tammy enjoyed the relaxed feeling that encompassed her. I’m happy for the first time in days. There was something about this man that made her feel at peace.
She smiled and leaned back, soaking up some of the sunlight. Her pale skin could use some color anyway.
“So, what about you?” Jack asked suddenly, taking Tammy by surprise. She sat up and faced him, tilting her head to the side. She looked into his eyes, trying to figure out what he meant.
“Huh?” She finally blurted out.
“Well, you know I’m a widower. What about you? Are you taken?” Jack asked, his voice firm.
Tammy blinked. Is he flirting with me? Tammy bit her lip and wondered. She had figured that the comfort she felt with Jack was because his heart was already taken by his wife’s memory. He seemed safer that way. Now, nerves and uncertainty whirled around in her belly.
“Oh well… I guess I’m single.”
“You guess? You don’t know?” He raised an eyebrow, his chiseled face distorting in confusion.
“Well, I’ve dated a lot, but it’s never gotten serious. I apparently have this bad habit of constantly going after jerks who just end up hurting me …” She allowed her voice to trail off. Her eyes drifted toward the grass where she noticed Dixie, smiling and laughing with the older girls.
“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s surprising, though, you seem to be a rather lovely woman. I’m sure you’ll find someone soon.” He gave her a bright smile and rested his hand on top of hers.
Tammy almost jumped out of her seat at his touch; little pinpricks of electricity shot through her and straight to her heart. Gently, she pulled her hand away from his. She was starting to feel way too much for Jack.
Tammy offered Jack a half smile and said, “That’s what everyone keeps telling me.”
She sighed and leaned back again, looking up at the sky.
“When you were a kid, did you ever stare at the clouds, picking out shapes?”
“Of course. What kid hasn’t?” she retorted.
“Well look at that one.” He pointed at a large, billowing cloud. It was pure white and looked rather fluffy. “What do you see?” Jack inquired.
“Hmm…” Tammy thought about it, squinting her eyes as if it would help her pick out a specific shape. Regardless, she couldn’t make anything out. “I don’t see anything. Just a blob.”
“Oh, come on, you aren’t trying hard enough,” he pressed. “Keep looking.”
Tammy looked back at it and tried to focus. Still, she failed to recognize what he could be seeing. “I don’t see anything!” she cried out, getting a little frustrated at this point.
He laughed. “You’re right, it’s just a blob.”
“You–” Tammy was just about to hit his arm and reprimand him for teasing her when Alfred’s loud bark echoed through the air.
Both Jack and Tammy quickly sat up and looked over at Dixie. The crowd of girls around Dixie looked angry rather than entertained by the
little girl.
Jack got up and without thinking, grabbed Tammy’s hand and pulled her toward the circle of girls. It was only when he approached his daughter that he realized what she had done. He sucked in a breath and felt his palms become sweaty. He dropped Tammy’s hand, mumbling a soft “sorry” under his breath.
Wiping his hands on his pants, he tried to compose himself. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and took a deep breath. In his chest, his heart was racing.
“Dixie, what have you done this time?” he asked his daughter.
Chapter 6
“Nothing daddy,” Dixie claimed.
Jack knew that wasn’t the full truth because she ran to him and hugged his leg. He could feel her nose buried into his thigh, and little fingers pressed into his leg.
“She ruined my favorite lipstick.” A skinny blonde pointed out, showing him a gold tube with a lumpy blob of red on top.
“I’m so sorry about that.”
“I’m sorry too! I didn’t mean to,” Dixie said, the beginnings of a sniffle in her voice.
Before anything else could be said, Alfred sniffed the lipstick in question and chomped down on it, eating it in a single bite. Everyone had a horrified expression on their faces before Dixie let out a cute little giggle.
“Alfred! Boys don’t wear make-up.” She jumped over to her dog’s side and hugged his neck with a smile.
A few of the girls snickered at Dixie’s comment while Jack just shook his head. What am I going to do with this girl?
The college student looked at the little girl hugging her dog and sighed. “Don’t worry about it. I needed a new one anyway.”
Dixie looked over at her father and grinned.
Jack narrowed his eye at her, letting her know that she wasn’t getting off the hook that easily.
Jack turned back to the girl, saying, “Are you sure? I’m happy to pay for a replacement.”
“Not necessary,” the young woman said and then smiled. “The dog eating it was pretty funny. Besides, I don’t envy you trying to get that off her face. It’s a color stain formula.”
Jack winced and took a better look at his daughter. She had lipstick all over her face. She looked like a clown.
“She looks cute, though.” The woman quipped, ruffling the girl’s hair.
Jack cringed, thinking Dixie was about to punch her, but, thankfully, she didn’t.
“Yeah. A cute little devil.” He grabbed his daughter’s hand and pulled her away from the students.
“I thought I told you not to get in trouble.” He tried to be stern with her, but her puppy dog eyes were quickly breaking down his willpower. He bit his lip and said nothing else. Once again, she had won.
“Do you like to wear make-up?” Tammy asked, squatting down near the little girl.
Dixie nodded. “I like to dress up as a princess, and they wear makeup.” She announced like it was a well-known fact.
“They don’t have to.” Tammy pointed out.
“Really?” Dixie was shocked, her eyes growing big.
“Really.” Tammy nodded. “Also, if you’re the only princess that doesn’t wear make-up, that’ll make you unique. Don’t you want to be special?”
Dixie nodded eagerly. “Yes!”
Dixie suddenly hugged Tammy, nearly making her topple over, but luckily, Tammy managed to keep her balance.
Dixie shifted her gaze to the sheepdog. “But what about Alfred?”
“Hmm… I think he looks quite pretty with some lipstick on.” Together, the two girls giggled, looking at the dopey-looking dog with his now red lips and face.
Tammy peeked at her watch. She had a few errands to run before meeting with her friends for the evening.
“I’m sorry to cut the party short, but I should get going. I’ve got some things to do this afternoon,” Tammy said.
Dixie practically pounced on her father. “Daddy, can Tammy come have dinner with us tonight?”
Tammy’s cheek quirked up. It seemed Dixie’s award-winning anime eyes were back and ready to work their magic on her father.
“Oh sweetie, I’m sure that she wants to go home. She’s spent a lot of time with us already, and it sounds like she has things to do.” Jack glanced over at Tammy.
“Pretty please? I really like her.” Dixie’s little hands clasped together begging her father. Then, she turned those pleading eyes on Tammy.
Being a kindergartner teacher meant that Tammy had seen more than her fair share of begging, but even her will began to melt when Dixie turned the force of her stare on Tammy. He’s a goner and so am I. How could I deny her, especially since I want to spend a little more time with her and Jack.
Jack sighed and ran his fingers through his hair and nodded. “Would you like to come have dinner with us sometime? It seems Dixie has me wrapped around her little pinky.”
“I’d love to. Unfortunately, I can’t tonight, but I’m free tomorrow,” Tammy said, giving him and Dixie an apologetic look.
“That’s perfectly fine. We’d love to have you tomorrow night.” He grinned. “To be honest, I’m a pretty good cook.”
“Oh yeah?” Tammy lifted an eyebrow in his direction, challenging his claim.
“Well certainly not as good as Cupid food, but it’s definitely a contender.”
“Not the modest type, are you?” Tammy said.
Her hand accidently brushed past Jack’s. This insignificant touch alone was enough to send Tammy’s heart racing. Her cheeks blushed, and she quickly looked away before Jack could see her reaction.
“Hmm, maybe.” He smiled and then took Dixie’s hand. “You ready to go home?”
Dixie shook her head and lunged forward, wrapping herself around Tammy’s legs. “Don’t go!” she begged, looking up at her with those wide eyes, imploring her to stay just a bit longer.
“I’m sorry sweetie, but I can’t. I’ll see you again tomorrow, okay?” She squatted down and looked into the child’s eyes. “Now you be good for your dad and maybe tomorrow I’ll bring you a gift.” She smiled, and Dixie nodded eagerly.
“Okay. I love presents!”
With this newfound motivation, Dixie walked over to her father and held his hand like she was some sort of angel. Tammy didn’t believe it would last for more than five minutes, but for now, Dixie was happy.
Jack held up his hand and said, “Then, we’ll see you tomorrow. Come on, Alfred. Let’s get going.”
Jack started to walk away when Tammy suddenly called after him. “Hey!” He turned around. “Do you happen to make good fries?”
Jack blinked a few times. “I guess. Why?”
“Just curious.” She grinned to herself and walked away, content.
Chapter 7
The following day, Tammy arrived at Jack’s house at the appointed time. During their time in the park, they had exchanged numbers, and she found herself texting him like a giddy, high-school student. She found herself smiling at her phone every time it chimed with a notification. It was a thrilling new experience for her and one that she loved.
She checked the address one more time before walking up to the door, wondering what the night might bring. Tammy rang the doorbell and then knocked on the door, but nothing happened. She peered inside the small window by the side of the door, but the house was dark. She was about to take out her phone and text Jack when she heard loud barking coming from the backyard. Tammy stepped off the porch and onto the lawn, following the sound.
The side gate sprang open, and Alfred came running toward her. Tammy’s eyes went huge at the massive sheepdog, and she tried to side-step, but she wasn’t quick enough. Alfred leaped straight at her, tackling her. The ground knocked the wind from her lungs, and she lay breathless as the wet, muddy dog licked her face.
Alfred wagged his tag madly and stamped his muddy paws all over Tammy’s clothes. She tried to push him off of her, but it was no use. She groaned. A second later, she felt a shockingly cold stream of water hit her, followed by a little girl’s laughter.<
br />
Tammy caught a glimpse of Dixie standing near the gate with a garden hose in hand, spraying down the back of her dog.
“Come back here you dirty mutt!” She shouted, aiming at the dog, but in doing so, she completely soaked Tammy who laid underneath.
“Dixie!” Tammy called out, hoping the child would listen to her, but it was pointless. The dog was squashing her lungs, and Dixie just couldn’t hear Tammy’s soft voice over her own shrieks of laughter and Alfred’s barks.
“Dixie.” Jack’s deep, husky voice broke through the chaos of noise. The water stopped drowning Tammy and for that she was grateful.
Hose in hand Jack admonished, “How many times have I told you not to open this gate and let Alfred out? He could get into the street, and then a car might hit him.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“And what have I told you about playing with the hose?”
“That we’re in a drought, and we shouldn’t waste water…” she recited.
“Exactly. So, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“Daddy, Alfred was all dirty. I had to clean him.”
“Then you should’ve told me and we would’ve given him a proper bath.” Jack’s voice was stern as he reprimanded his troublemaking daughter.
With a powerful stride, he walked over to Alfred, getting a grip on the dog’s collar. It was only then that he noticed the kindergarten teacher trapped underneath and laying still with her head turned away from him. His blood ran cold and feared that she was hurt.
“Tammy! Are you okay?”
She rolled her head to look at him. “I’ve been better. But, no, I’m not physically hurt, just a bit winded. I could use some help getting Alfred off me. It appears he intends to stay.”
Jack shook himself. How stupid can I be? He yanked the dog off Tammy. Jack held onto Alfred’s collar with one hand and helped Tammy up with the other hand.
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were under there.”
Jack was trying to come up with a more suitable apology, but he didn’t get the chance. As soon as Tammy was standing, Dixie rushed her.
Fries Before Guys (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 5) Page 3
