Chapter 10
Dixie had a blast at the mall. She dragged Tammy to each and every department store, looking for the prettiest princess outfit. In the end, they spent nearly an hour in Claire’s, looking for the best tiara. Dixie was hard to please, but they eventually left the store with a light pink crown, adorned with blue jewels.
“What’s your princess name?” Tammy asked, holding their bags.
She had managed to do some shopping for herself as well. A new dress, a cute blouse, and a pair of shoes she found simply breathtaking. Hopefully, they would be put to good use if she ever happened to go on a proper date with Jack. A girl could dream.
“Hmm… I don’t know. Why can’t I just use my name?” Dixie posed the question.
“Well, there’s already Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.”
“Yeah, but I’m Dixie and my dog’s name is Alfred. Totally different.”
Tammy checked a laugh. She couldn’t fault the five-year-old’s logic.
“You have a point there. So, are you going to be Princess Dixie?”
“No,” she stated.
“What then?” Tammy asked.
“Hmm… I don’t know… maybe Princess Bubblegum, or Princess Rose, or Princess Peach!” she exclaimed giddily.
“All of those exist as well,” Tammy pointed out.
“Humph… really?” Dixie pouted, now at a standstill in her choice of a name. “How about…” Tammy rubbed her chin, trying to help her come up with something.
“Look!” Dixie blurted out, frantically pointing at something. Tammy followed her direction. There was a face painting stall, set up in the middle of the mall. “Can we do it? Pretty please!”
Tammy didn’t even have time to respond as Dixie started to tow her down the wide hallway. At the booth, little girls and mothers were getting their faces painted with matching designs. “Hello! Welcome to the mother and daughter face painting event. Would you two like to participate?”
Tammy frowned. “Oh well… she’s not my daughter…”
“She can be my mommy for a day. That’s okay, right?” Dixie butted in, standing in front of Tammy and staring the attendant in the eye.
Tammy couldn’t tell if Dixie was just saying that to get her face painted or if she actually saw Tammy as a mother. Either way, she was touched that the little girl would want her as her mommy, even for the day.
“Of course.” The worker smiled and sat them down in adjacent chairs. “Someone will be with you shortly. In the meantime, you can look through this pamphlet and decide on what you might like.”
Dixie snatched the book and looked through it. Tammy glanced over her shoulders, seeing the various patterns. There were butterflies, lions, and superhero masks. Pretty much anything a little kid might want to be painted on their face.
“What do you want to get?” Tammy asked.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“You can get a butterfly on your face,” Tammy suggested.
“Why would I want a butterfly on my face?” Dixie retorted like it was obvious.
Tammy liked butterflies, but it sounded like Dixie already had her mind set on something.
“Right. So, no butterfly then…”
“I want this unicorn! It’s so cute. No, wait! The Pegasus!” She bounced around excitedly on her seat.
Tammy looked at the drawing on the page. It was a huge Pegasus design, covering nearly the whole face. On top of that, it was bright pink. Tammy was having second thoughts about wearing such a thing on her face in public.
Dixie noticed her weariness and frowned. “Don’t you like it? Should we pick something else?” Her voice was low for once as she considered someone else’s feelings. “We can go with the unicorn…” Dixie tried to negotiate.
“No pumpkin, we can go with whatever you’d like,” Tammy assured her, laying a hand on her knee and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Really?”
“Yes,” Tammy said.
Dixie smiled brightly and then folded her hands in her lap waiting for the artist to arrive. Suddenly, Dixie twisted in her chair looking Tammy in the eyes.
“What’s your favorite animal?”
Tammy considered. “Hmm that’s a hard question, but I would have to say the red panda. They’re really cute.”
“Ooo! I’ve seen one at the zoo before. They’re adorable,” Dixie agreed. “But my favorite is a penguin. I like how they waddle.”
“How come you didn’t want a penguin on your cheek?”
“Because a Pegasus is way cooler.” Dixie laughed. “They are horses that have wings so you can ride them and fly.”
“Oh, of course, my apologies. I didn’t think about that.”
Tammy could feel her love for Dixie grow as they chatted. This type of event was what she had imagined doing with her own daughter one day. Tammy looked at Dixie and felt her heart grow a size bigger. At this moment, it felt like Dixie really was her daughter.
Chapter 11
Jack exited a building and looked around the main green. He smiled when he noticed his daughter and Tammy waiting for him. The first thing he noticed was that Dixie was actually just playing. She didn’t seem to be causing any trouble. The second thing he noticed as he neared Tammy was that she has some sort of pink winged horse painted across her face.
Jack had been talked into wearing a unicorn sticker once and assumed that Dixie was the reason Tammy wore shocking pink face paint. So, he didn’t bother to question Tammy about it.
Instead, he asked, “Wow… what did you do to my daughter?”
“Nothing. She’s been good all day.” Tammy relayed the day’s events to Jack. “She even got me to put this winged horse on my face. She sure knows how to get what she wants, doesn’t she?”
Jack nodded. He knew his daughter and her manipulative ways all too well. He really needed to find a way to curtail them or he’d be in a world of hurt during her teenage years. Who am I kidding? I’m barely keeping my head above water now.
Jack sighed. “She’s excellent at getting her way, but you seem to be able to manage her well enough. I need to figure out your secret. How do you do it?”
Tammy motioned toward her face. “Do you think I’d wear something like this unless I was talked into it?”
Jack’s lips lifted in a smile. “Probably not, but she does listen to you better than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Tammy shrugged. “I’ve taught kindergarten for five years, now. Maybe it’s just that I’ve had practice with the age group.”
Tammy slid her hand along Jack’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t worry too much. She’s a great kid at heart. Maybe try saying no to her at least once a day and sticking to it.”
Jack stared at his daughter. “I could probably do that.”
Dixie twirled around and caught sight of Jack. She came running, a bright smile on her face. That joyous smile punched him right in the gut. It would be hard to say no to that smile.
“Daddy!” She jumped into his lap and hugged him.
“Hey, sweetie, did you miss me? Did you have fun with Tammy?”
“I sure did. We had lunch and then we went to the mall. Then, she bought me this cute tiara, and then, we got our faces painted. Look, Daddy, look!” She frantically pointed at her face.
“I see, honey. That’s fantastic.” He kissed the top of her head.
“And if anyone asks, Tammy is my mommy for the day, alright?”
Jack was floored by her sudden comment. He turned to face Tammy, giving her a questioning look.
“How’s that?” It hurt Jack to think about his wife in regards to Dixie. He knew she would have loved to raise their daughter. Now, Dixie barely remembered her, and it pained him every day.
“Well, at the booth, the lady told us that it was a mother and daughter thing, but Tammy isn’t my mommy. So, I told them she could be my mommy for a day,” Dixie explained.
“Is that so?” He continued to look at Tammy, waiting for affirmation.
; “She really wanted to get her face painted.” Tammy’s voice was meek, and she avoided Jack’s eyes.
“Dixie, can you go play for a little bit more?”
The girl nodded and ran off.
“Look… I wasn’t trying to overstep my place, and I didn’t mean to offend you in any way. Dixie just wanted--”
“No. Don’t worry about it,” Jack interrupted. “I’m glad Dixie likes you. It makes me happy that she’s found someone she can do those sort of things with.”
He really did want Dixie to have those types of fun mother and daughter experiences. It just hurt that Ellie wasn’t around to experience it.
Tammy placed her hand on Jack’s. “It must be hard to be a single father, but you do a good job with Dixie. She’s a happy kid, and that is something you can take credit for.”
Tammy really was amazing. She knew just what to say and do to get Dixie to behave and just what to say to him to make him feel not like a failure as a father.
“Thanks.” Jack twisted his wrist and caught Tammy’s hand in his own. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
The second Jack took her hand, Tammy felt the shift in Jack’s demeanor. The sadness left his eyes, and he stared at her with some other expression that Tammy couldn’t quite put her finger on. Nervous, maybe?
Jack took a deep, shuddering breath and squeezed Tammy’s hand. “I wanted to ask if you’d go on a date with me tonight.”
Tammy was taken by surprise. A date? It wasn’t at all what she had expected. She’d been too worried that she’d crossed a line with Dixie. She bit her lip, taking time to process his request. “You mean a date with just me?” she said, slowly as if testing to see if the words sounded right together.
“Who else?” He looked around as if another woman would pop out of the bushes.
Tammy shook her head. “I meant… you, me, and no Dixie correct?”
Jack’s face softened, and his eyes caught hers. “I very much mean just you and me.”
It was that moment that Tammy knew where Dixie got her look that made everyone do her bidding. Jack’s eyes had a magnetic pull that made her want to toss all caution to the wind and do whatever he said. I just can’t do that again. I’ve been hurt too many times. Tammy broke eye contact and looked down at their joined hands.
“Why?” Tammy asked.
“Why?” Jack repeated. He reached out and tilted her chin so that she was looking at him again.
“Tammy, you’re a beautiful woman. Intelligent. Respectful. My daughter loves you, and I really like you myself. Why wouldn’t I want to take you out on a date?”
Tammy was at a loss for words. How was it possible that this man really liked her? She was a magnet for the jerks of the world. How did she actually find a nice guy for a change?
Katy! That had to be the reason.
Her revelation made her bold, and she reached out and hugged him, acting like Dixie for a moment. “Of course.” She pulled away. “But what about Dixie?”
Tammy looked over at Dixie with concern in her eyes. Dixie had told her about some of the tricks she’d tried on babysitters.
“My mother is willing to watch her and Dixie is usually good for her,” Jack assured. “So what do you say, is that a yes?”
“I already said of course.”
“Right… you did. Just making sure,” Jack said, rubbing the back of his neck. “How does seven sound?”
“Perfect.”
That was the exact right word for how she felt at the moment. For one glorious moment, everything about her love life felt perfect.
Chapter 12
Tammy jumped at the sound of the doorbell. Her heart was already racing as she looked at the time. It had to be Jack. She checked her makeup and outfit one last time in the hallway mirror. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, greeting Jack.
“Wow… you look amazing…”
Tammy wore a flowing, flower-print skirt, and plain white blouse. Her hair was done up in a messy bun with a few, wispy curls framing her round face. She’d spent considerable time picking out her outfit and hoped that it wasn’t over the top. Jack’s look of appreciation halted those worries.
“Thank you…” she whispered.
Tammy took the opportunity to check him out. He looked fantastic in his blue button-down and linen pants. She smiled up at him, craning her neck to accommodate his tall stature.
“Do you want to come in or should we leave now?”
“We can go.” He gave her a warm smile and held out his arm for her. “I hope you don’t mind walking?”
Tammy was suddenly thankful she had opted for wearing flats instead of heels. “Of course. That’s fine.” She nodded and locked the door behind her. She hooked her arm with Jack’s. “Where are we going?”
Tammy was intrigued. Typically, guys would pick her up in their car and take her to a club or restaurant. She had never gone on a moonlight stroll with someone. Apparently, I’ve been missing out. The night air felt cool against her skin, but Jack’s warm body next to hers kept her toasty. She snuggled in a bit closer, breathing in the spicy scent of his cologne. She heard Jack sigh and her heart echoed the sentiment. Her night had only just begun, and she already found herself completely infatuated by the man.
“Just wait and see.”
Jack’s voice took Tammy by surprise. She’d forgotten she’d asked him a question. As far as Tammy was concerned, she’d be happy to stroll in the moonlight for forever.
“Fine,” Tammy breathed.
A few minutes later, Tammy noticed they were heading toward the university. Tammy couldn’t imagine why they’d be heading there, but she trusted Jack’s judgment.
“Here we are,” Jack stated.
He stopped in the middle of a patch of grass. There were a few students scattered here and there, but that was it. Everything was quiet. Near some bushes, a family of bunnies huddled together, nibbling on the grass.
Tammy titled her head up and eyed Jack. “Where exactly are we?”
“This is what we call the quiet green. It’s where people come to study at the university,” he explained.
Jack released Tammy and walked forward, toward the hedges. Leaning over, he grabbed something from behind one of the bushes. Before Tammy could decide what it was a gust of wind swept past her. She rubbed her shoulders. Without Jack’s warmth next to her, she began to realize how cool the night was. If she had known they would be spending the night outside, she would have worn a sweater.
Jack slid out of his sports jacket and moved to place it on her shoulders. “Cold?” he asked, his lips now dangerously close to her neck.
Tammy shivered, not from the cold, but rather from his proximity. Her heart rampaged in her chest, and her cheeks flushed. What was it about this man that made her knees weak and her heart race?
“Thanks,” she whispered.
Jack rolled up his sleeves and then set a blanket on the grass. He retrieved the large object which turned out to be a picnic basket and started to unpack it.
“Where’d all this come from?” Tammy asked.
“I hid it behind the hedges in preparation for our date,” he answered and then offered a quick bow. “You may have your pick of seating on the blanket, my lady.”
He’d offered her his coat and then referred to her as ‘my lady’. Gentlemen like this just didn’t exist in Tammy’s world. Please, please, let him be real and not some fantasy my brain has cooked up.
Tammy sat down on the blanket and observed the various items now lined up in front of her. There were sandwiches, soda cans, and chips.
“Are we having a picnic?” Tammy asked in surprise.
She hadn’t had a picnic since she was a little girl. Nostalgic memories flooded her mind, and instantly, she found herself smiling ear to ear. Just when she thought Jack couldn’t get any better, he came up with a thoughtful idea like this.
Jack sat next to her on the blanket and offered her a plastic wrapped sandwich. “I hope y
ou like peanut butter and jelly.”
“Are you kidding me? Who doesn’t?” She grabbed the sandwich and slowly unwrapped it, taking a bite. “This is great! I haven’t had one in ages.”
“Yeah well, when you have a five-year-old you become an expert.”
“Hmm. I’ve never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich made by an expert.” Tammy examined the sandwich and laughed. “You even got rid of the crust!”
“Of course, no one likes the crust, and if they say they do, they’re just lying,” Jack said.
Tammy pushed at his shoulder. “That’s so true.”
A light in the sky caught Tammy’s eye. “Look a shooting star!”
Just before the streak of light hit the horizon, Tammy closed her eyes and made a wish.
“What are you doing?” Jack whispered into Tammy’s ear.
Tammy shuttered but didn’t break her concentration. This one was important, and she had to get it just right.
When she was satisfied, she opened her eyes and said, “If you must know I was making a wish.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? What did you wish for?”
Tammy shook her head. “Nope. You know the rules. No saying your wish out loud.”
“I suppose I’ve heard that, but then again my wish is about to come true.”
Tammy turned to Jack. “Really? How do you know that?”
“Because of this…”
Jack leaned in and kissed Tammy softly on the lips. The kiss was no more than a brief brush of lips, but Tammy felt the kiss’ impact all the way to her toes.
Tammy’s hand moved to cover her still tingling lips. She managed to stutter, “Uhmm…Well, I guess…”
Jack’s laugh rang out with an air of exuberance. The sound pulled her from her bedazzled state.
“You really should give a girl some warning. A kiss like that should come with a warning label,” Tammy said.
“Should it?” Jack asked with a sly grin.
Her body still hummed with the aftermath of his kiss. “Definitely.”
“So…” Jack said.
Fries Before Guys (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 5) Page 5
