Daniel physically had to force his foot to remain on the accelerator and not slam on the brakes in the middle of the road. Did his daughter really think so little of him? Of course she only based her opinions on his actions in the past, and past behavior always indicated future behavior. He was not acting like himself. He knew this very well, but how to explain?
Taking a deep breath and easing off the gas, he reached across the seat for her hand. “I guess I am acting kind of different, huh?”
“Beyond weird, if you want to know the truth.” She squeezed his hand.
“This is not easy for me, Holly. I know I have not been the most attentive father. I have not made much of an effort to involve myself in the daily details of your life, and I have not allowed you to have a peep into mine, and I want to change that. Starting now. I do not want you eating stale cereal for breakfast every day. I do not want you to be afraid to voice your opinion. Most of all, I want you to . . . I want you to be proud of me.” His eyes watered when he said those last few words. He did want her to be proud of him. It was normal for girls to think their fathers were . . . the pie in the sky. At least he hoped. Holly would be a teenager in the blink of an eye. He knew the years ahead would be hard on both of them. If he did not have an easy, comfortable relationship with her now, before those teen years, he never would. The words weren’t coming out as smoothly as he would have liked, but he felt like Holly got the gist of what he was trying to tell her.
“Dad, I am, like, super proud of you. Miss Carol thinks you’re the best horticulturist in the world, and I do, too. I see all that grass and bushes, and stuff. I know what it looks like in the back of one of the trucks, and I see what happens when you plant them. You are kinda old-fashioned, though. I really think you need to think about a computer and the Internet. I’m gonna need one, once I’m in high school, and all. Just so you know.
“And, Dad, can you please, just this once, let me practice for the musical? It’s, like, the most important thing in the world to me now. More than a computer or a cell phone. I do want one, though. Roxie and Kayla are asking their parents for cell phones for Christmas this year. Or I’ll take one for my birthday. That would be so cool.”
Now probably was not the best time to tell her he’d had a computer for several years, that his work required using one. It was the reason he locked himself in his den every evening. He did not want her to see that he owned one. Why? He knew why, and now that he’d told her about Laura, he saw no harm in revealing his little secret.
“Holly, I have had a computer for a number of years. I do not know why I have kept it such a secret, but we have Internet, and there’s a laptop in my desk.”
Holly scooted to the edge of the seat, then turned to look at him. “Are you for real? Like, telling the whole truth? You’re not just saying this to make me, like, feel good or anything? Because if you are, Dad, this is a very uncool thing to do. I really hope you’re being truthful.”
He pulled into the parking lot behind the restaurant, shut the engine off, and turned to his daughter. “I am being totally honest with you. I’ll even show you my MacBook later.” He wanted to laugh when he saw her eyes almost double in size.
A light tap on the window took their attention away from their conversation.
“It’s chilly out here,” Ivy said when Daniel opened his door to get out of the truck. Holly jumped out and ran around the front of the truck.
“Ivy, you are not going to believe the stuff my dad has been hiding from me. I am, like, in major shock. I can’t wait to call Roxie and Kayla. Unreal. Let’s go inside. I am positively starving.”
Ivy smiled at Daniel, and the ice around his heart melted. It did not matter one little bit that the temperature was close to freezing.
Chapter 37
Ivy had been a bit taken aback by Daniel’s early-morning phone call and invitation, but seeing how happy the father and daughter were right now, she could not help but feel a bit on the jolly side herself.
They were seated at the same table as yesterday. It seemed like a very long time ago, but it had only been a few hours. The same young girl who had waited on them yesterday delivered menus to the table.
“Hey, y’all are gettin’ to be regulars now. We have a breakfast special, and it’s rockin’ good eatin’ today. Homemade buttermilk biscuits, with sausage gravy, and three freshly laid eggs on the side. I had some myself, and I’m tellin’ ya, I’m gonna have to walk ten miles just to feel good about myself again.”
Ivy laughed. “That sounds delicious. I have not had a buttermilk biscuit in years. I’ll take the eggs soft scrambled, with a cup of coffee.”
“Make that two specials,” Daniel said, then turned to his daughter. “Holly?”
“No way am I eating that much food! I’ll have the Belgian waffle, with orange juice.”
“I’ll just put your order in and be right back with y’all’s drinks.”
“She’s really got the Southern twang down, huh?” Daniel observed.
“Indeed,” Ivy replied. She thought the young girl might be adding more emphasis on the y’all, gettin’, and eatin’ herself. It made her smile. And for that alone, she would sit and listen to her talk all day. Smiles and laughter had definitely been lacking in her life the last eight years. Not anymore, she vowed.
The young woman returned with their drinks, plus a basket of biscuits. “Momma said to bring y’all these, as they’re right out of the oven. Here’s homemade blackberry jam, too.” She placed three bread plates on the table, along with a crock of butter.
“I’m going to have just one,” Ivy said, reaching for the basket. “With the jam. Where in the world do they find blackberries this time of year?” she asked as she slathered her biscuit with butter and jam.
“I would guess with a name like The Blackberry Café, they have their sources,” Daniel said as he took a biscuit from the basket. “Holly?”
“I guess I’ll try one because that waitress was, like, super cool to bring them.”
Daniel passed the basket over to his daughter.
Ivy bit into the biscuit, butter dripping down her chin. “These are divine,” she said, then wiped the butter from her lips and chin. Daniel watched her, and instead of making her uncomfortable, she felt a warm glow flow through her. This had not happened in forever. She was not going to overanalyze her feelings, not now. She wanted to speak with him about Holly’s performance, but not in front of Holly. She had not yet called her father this morning to get Carol Bishop’s phone number, but she might not have to if she could corner Daniel before they finished. It was all she could do not to ask him exactly why he’d called her so early on a Sunday morning, as she was sure it was to ask her to be more than just a dining companion.
“I have never been out to eat this many times in my life,” Holly said. “Dad doesn’t usually go out, right?”
He grinned. “Right, which is going to change. I have been too dedicated to my work. I need to stop and smell the roses. Pun intended.” He reached for Holly’s hand.
Ivy laughed. “I totally understand. I have been”—she wanted to say in mourning, but that sounded so antiquated, even though it was true—“lost for a while,” she completed her sentence.
“I know, Ivy,” Daniel said, his gaze intent on her own.
“About loss? Yes, I suppose you do, and I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“I am so sorry for your loss.” His words held a much deeper meaning than that of a casual acquaintance. His words were so . . . personal.
“You do,” she said, instantly convinced he knew about John, James, and Elizabeth. For some unknown reason, she was glad that she had not had to explain this. “You know that my father owns Macintosh Air, too?”
Daniel’s eyes sparked with what she thought was a flash of anger, then . . . sympathy? “I wasn’t absolutely positive, but you have just confirmed it for me.”
Was he angry? Did he blame her for his wife’s death, even indirectly? As she had blamed Mark for t
he death of her family? The exact sequence of events leading to the crash had never been determined; yet when pilot error was deemed to be responsible, she had never even considered anything other than that. Her father had never accepted the National Transportation Safety Board’s decision, but she had refused to listen to his theory of a possible terrorist incident.
The waitress brought their food to the table, making a big show of placing the plates just so. “Y’all eat up, and I’ll be back with more coffee.” The restaurant was starting to fill up with eager diners, so she did not linger at their table this time.
For the next ten minutes, they ate their breakfast, and the young girl, returning with the coffee, told them that if they needed her, “Just give a holler and call for Tanya.”
Ivy nodded and drained the last bit of coffee. “There is more, but I’m sure you know this,” she said, focusing on Holly. This was not a discussion she wanted to have in front of her.
“Yes, I do. And we’re okay, Ivy. With everything. It’s a tragedy, but it happened, and I’m finally trying to”—he nodded at Holly—“get on with life.”
Holly had been watching them as she ate her waffle. Ivy decided she was extremely smart and was simply watching them to see how their stilted conversation played out. She liked this little girl more with each passing minute.
“So I finally learn we have the Internet, a MacBook, and Dad sneaks and uses the Internet at night. Right?”
Daniel shook his head and wiped his mouth with his napkin before placing it on the table. “I’m not a big fan of allowing children to live online. However”—he looked at Holly, a huge grin on his face—“being that you’re almost twelve, I’m going to allow you to use the computer now, so you’ll know how to use one by the time you’re in high school.”
“Which is not that far off,” Holly stated. “And I already know how to use a computer. We have computer lab at school.”
Tanya swirled over to their table, leaving the check. Ivy reached for it, and before she knew what was happening, Daniel placed his hand on top of hers. “No, I invited you. It’s my treat.”
He’d paid for pizza and ice cream last night. “You do not have to buy my breakfast.”
“Yes, I do. I’m old-fashioned that way. A lady never pays for her meals when she dines with me.”
“Like that’s ever happened,” Holly interjected.
His hand remained on top of Ivy’s. “Then thank you.” Ivy felt as if a jolt of electrical current were racing up and down the length of her arm. She wanted to pull away, but she did not want to let on that she was feeling all the sensuous, delightful sensations that had been nonexistent for so very long.
“Can I have a word with you?” she asked. While her heart was hammering in her chest like a bird’s fluttering wing, she had not forgotten what she wanted to discuss with him.
“Holly, why don’t you pick out an apron and a jar of jam.” He stood up and removed a few bills from his wallet. “Here, and you can take care of the check, too.”
“Cool,” Holly said as she fanned the bills out. “I know this is your way of getting rid of me. But it’s cool.”
Ivy could not help but laugh. “You are one smart cookie. If you do not mind, I just need to speak to your dad for a minute.”
“Take as long as you like,” Holly said. “I’m gonna look at the cookbooks.”
Ivy gave Holly a pat on the shoulder as the little girl walked away. “Thanks, I’ll just be a minute.” Ivy headed for the door, with Daniel following close behind.
In front of the restaurant, a large group of diners were waiting to be seated. Ivy walked to the edge of the parking lot. “Is this why you wanted to have breakfast? To tell me you know what happened to my family?”
There, she had said it. She needed to clear the air; then she would tell him what she had planned to say.
“Partly, but if I’m honest, and I always try to be, I wanted to see you again.”
“Really?” she said, her voice not much more than a whisper.
“Yes. Really.” Daniel took her hand in his. “If I’m being too forward, you’ll tell me?”
She laughed out loud. “You are a Southern gentleman, no doubt. And yes, I will tell you.” His gaze settled on hers. Anticipation seized her, and she was filled with a new sense of urgency as he watched her. She wanted to tear her eyes from his, but she could not. Would not. If this was part of her new beginning, she would accept it right now and live in this moment. He continued to hold her hand in his very warm one.
“You wanted to talk with me about something Holly should not hear?” Daniel asked, reminding her why they were standing in the parking lot.
“Yes, I do.” She cleared her throat and gently removed her hand from his. She could not focus if he continued to touch her. “I wish you would let Holly sing in the Christmas musical. I know I’m probably sticking my nose where it does not belong, so you do not have to tell me, but when I heard her sing last night, I could not imagine her not sharing her gift with the residents of Pine City. She’s a prodigy, Daniel. Right now, she is better than virtually anyone you can hear singing on the radio today. You know this, right?”
He inhaled and crammed his hands in his pockets. “She’s extremely talented, as was her mother. Actually, Holly is much more talented than her mother ever was. Though Laura did not start her career until she was much older than Holly. Laura was on her way home from an audition when she died.”
Ivy nodded, but did not speak.
“I have spent the last eight years trying to keep Holly focused on getting an education and planning for a career in anything but music. It’s been hard on her. I have not allowed music in my house since her mother died.”
Ivy opened her mouth, but she stopped before she blurted out something she would regret. Daniel needed to talk, and she was going to let him. They didn’t have a lot of time. Holly was bound to come rushing around the corner any minute.
“It’s bad, huh?” he asked.
She nodded. “It is.”
“I guess, no, I know I’m trying to protect myself from . . . losing her to a musical career too soon. She’s young, but talented enough to have one now, I am aware of that. I guess I want to protect her as long as I’m able.”
“And you think if you allow her to participate in a small-town musical, she’ll have an instant career?”
He shrugged his wide shoulders. “I do not know that for certain, but I have never wanted to take the chance.”
“What about what Holly wants? Given her talent, it’s almost a disgrace not to share it with the community, especially at Christmas.” Wasn’t she one to give advice?
Daniel nodded, slowly, and chewed his lip. He took a deep breath, slowly letting it out, his nostrils flaring. “You’re right, Ivy. I’m going to have to loosen the reins, aren’t I?”
“I think you already have.”
Holly came running around the corner, a bag in one hand and wadded-up bills in the other. “Here’s your change, Dad.” She held the crumpled bills out to him. “Are you okay? You look, like, weird or something. Ivy?”
Ivy did not say a word.
Daniel focused his attention on Holly. “Look, I know you’re supposed to study math today, but I have a better idea.”
“You want to take me out for pizza again tonight?” Holly asked.
“I think it’s time I took you to Miss Carol’s. So you can practice.”
Holly looked at Ivy, and Ivy felt tears of happiness fill her eyes.
“Dad, are you serious?”
“I am.”
Ivy knew she was witnessing a moment between a father and daughter that would profoundly change their lives. All of their lives, because she knew that hers was changing, too.
Chapter 38
Sarah could not recall ever having so many people over for Thanksgiving dinner. She was loving every minute of this gathering of friends, old and new.
In the kitchen, her mother was sitting at the table arranging the cookies
, which they’d baked the night before, on a bright red tray. “You’re glowing, dear,” Clara stated.
“I am, for sure,” Sarah said. “And it has nothing to do with this turkey in the oven or all of this.” She pointed to a pot filled with steaming-hot buttered homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and seven pies lined up on the counter. She had more than enough food to feed an army of hungry young men, not to mention her actual guests. Sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, a fresh spinach salad, turkey gravy, and yeast rolls were just a few of the dishes on the menu. As always, she had cooked too much, but that was okay. There would be plenty of leftovers for her guests to take home with them.
While she had dreaded facing Daniel Greenwood after their lunch last Saturday, Sarah was beyond thrilled when he brought his friend and coworker, Jay Johnson, over to meet her. He was beyond handsome, she thought. He had dark blond hair and dark eyes, and he reminded her of a Greek god. He was tall and built like an oak tree. She had noticed this, and ever since being introduced, she had been running around the kitchen like a schoolgirl with her first crush. He had looked at her with something more than polite interest and kept coming to the kitchen to see if he could help. “No, you guys just enjoy the football game. I have everything under control.”
Ivy and Holly were busy setting the dining-room table with Sarah’s mother’s best china. Margaret and George were bustling about making drinks for everyone. Sarah Anderson was in her element, with a houseful of happy people to feed.
Christmas carols played softy in the background, delightful smells penetrated throughout the house, and an occasional shout from the den let Sarah know she had made a good call when she had invited Ivy and her family for Thanksgiving dinner.
Ivy had looked like a new person when she had arrived this morning. She wore a dark green sweater, with black leggings and black boots. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her green eyes sparkled. She had added just the right amount of makeup, and Sarah remembered the times when they used to spend hours going through all the glossy magazines, trying to learn the latest fad in makeup. Ivy had mastered her look today, and Sarah was sure it was not from cosmetics alone.
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