After a long moment, she cracked open the storm door. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you and Kenzie would meet me at Mouse’s later today. After my shift.”
“I don’t know, Matt. I’m pretty busy getting things ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Lots of cooking and such.”
“It won’t take long. I promise. Just give me thirty minutes.”
She studied him, her gaze narrowing before she glanced back into the house, and he couldn’t help wondering if she was looking at Kenzie. When she looked at him again, she let go a sigh. “I suppose I can afford thirty minutes to meet and talk about your director duties...and let you see Kenzie.”
Let him see Kenzie? Did that mean she believed he was Kenzie’s father?
“I get off at five. How about five thirty?”
She nodded. “That should be fine.”
His hopes soared. “Okay. I’ll see you then.”
Excitement coursed through his body as he dashed back down the walk and climbed into his vehicle. He could hardly wait until tonight. Though he was also a little on the nervous side about spending time with Kenzie. It was one thing when he believed her just any other little girl, but now that he knew she was his own flesh and blood, his daughter, well, he wasn’t quite sure what to do.
Driving away from Lacie’s, he remembered Kenzie’s birthday. He needed to get her a gift.
With that in mind, he headed straight for the toy store. Yet once he was inside, he found himself overwhelmed by the multitude of books, dolls, stuffed animals, games, you name it. There were things for babies and toddlers. Little kids and big kids. Outdoor toys, indoor toys.
Then it hit him. He knew absolutely nothing about Kenzie. Her likes and dislikes. What kind of toys she preferred, her favorite food, even her favorite color.
Sadness mingled with anger, twisting his gut. Thanks to Marissa, he’d missed out on everything. Every birthday, every first. So many years that could never be recaptured.
His body sagged under the weight of grief. Maybe he shouldn’t get Kenzie anything. At least not until he knew her better.
He started toward the door.
“Can I help you find something?”
He turned to see Hank Marshall approaching. Hank was close to his father’s age and the owner of Ouray’s lone toy store. The man always claimed he loved what he did because he was nothing but a big kid himself.
“No, that won’t be—”
Hank continued toward him, undeterred. “Since I usually don’t see you in here, Matt, I’m guessing you’re looking for a gift.”
“I was, yes. But—”
“Boy or a girl?”
“Girl.”
“That would explain the distressed look on your face.” The older man who’d always reminded him of Mr. Rogers smiled. “How old is she?”
“Five. It’s a—a birthday present.” Matt swiped a hand over the sweat suddenly beading his brow.
“Well, we’ll just have to find her something special.”
Matt glimpsed a stack of oversize stuffed animals. “How about that stuffed dog? Do you think she’d like that?”
“For about ten minutes.”
“Oh.” Matt felt his shoulders droop.
“Follow me.” Hank walked deeper into the store. “Kids that age want to be entertained, but they also want to be challenged. After all, they’ll soon be starting school.”
School? But she was so small.
Ten minutes later, Matt was feeling much better about the whole gift thing. With Hank’s help, he finally decided on a set of wooden puzzle boards with pictures and letters, though, just for good measure, Matt also threw in a small stuffed kitten.
Armed with a gift bag brimming with colorful tissue paper, he exited the store, even more eager for his meeting tonight. Unfortunately, that made the rest of the day stretch on forever. Until a call came in late afternoon about an accident north of town.
He barreled down Highway 550, sirens blaring. Approaching the scene, he saw vehicles lining the road. He methodically maneuvered past them, taking in his surroundings. The sun was shining and the road was dry, so weather couldn’t have been an issue. Nonetheless, traffic was at a standstill and that usually spelled bad news.
Moments later, he spotted a late-model sedan to his right, nose-first in the ditch. In the middle of the road, an older-model pickup truck sat at an angle, straddling both north and southbound lanes. The driver’s-side bumper was crumpled and the headlight crushed.
He parked and exited his Tahoe as the two occupants of the car emerged with the assistance of passersby. Glancing toward the truck, he saw only one person standing guard, but making no attempt to help the person or persons inside.
By the time EMS arrived, he understood why. The elderly gentleman in the truck was deceased, though seemingly from natural causes, not as a result of the accident. According to the occupants of the sedan, the truck drifted into their lane and while they tried to swerve out of the way, the pickup struck the back end of their vehicle, sending them off the road.
In the end, the highway was temporarily shut down, the middle-aged man and woman in the sedan were treated at the scene and released and, thanks to paperwork and reports, Matt missed his meeting with Lacie and Kenzie by a long shot.
With no way to get in touch with Lacie, he went straight to the Collier house from the sheriff’s office, hoping and praying that Kenzie was still awake. And that Lacie would understand.
With Kenzie’s gift in his hand and his heart in his throat, he knocked on the door.
A moment later, the porch light came on, the door jerked open and a very unhappy-looking Lacie promptly joined him on the porch.
“Uh-uh. No.” She wagged a finger. “You are not going to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Kenzie and I waited for you at Mouse’s for nearly an hour. And now you think you can just show up here and everything will be hunky-dory?” Her words rose into the chilly night air. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I will not let you do that to her. Not now, not ever.”
“I’m sorry, Lacie. I promise you, I had no intention of missing our meeting. I’ve been looking forward to it all day. But there was a fatality accident this afternoon, so I got held over until just a few minutes ago.”
“And you couldn’t have called?” Her glare only intensified his unease.
“I don’t have your number. And it wasn’t like I had the time to search for your mother’s.”
After a silent moment, she took a step closer. “Look, even if a DNA test proves that you’re Kenzie’s father, you’re going to have to earn the right to be a daddy. So don’t think you can just step into our life and take over. Because we’ve done fine without you.”
Staring down at her, he shifted the bag from one hand to the next, understanding her desire to protect Kenzie. But then, it wasn’t as if he’d ever had a say in the matter.
Her irritated gaze lowered. “What’s in the bag?”
“A birthday present for Kenzie. I picked it up this afternoon, before the call came in.” And he’d been praying ever since that it was something Kenzie would enjoy. That is, if Lacie allowed him to give it to her.
“Sorry, but it’ll have to wait for some other time.”
He wanted to argue with her, to tell her he wasn’t that kind of guy, but knew it would do no good. She’d made up her mind.
Turning, he stepped off the porch, determination coursing through his veins. No matter what he had to do or how long it took, he would earn Lacie’s trust and be the dad that Kenzie deserved.
Chapter Six
Lacie pushed the door closed, leaned against it and let go a sigh. She was proud of herself for standing her ground and giving voice to those things that had been festering inside her al
l evening. She would not let Matt force his way into their lives and do whatever he pleased. So what if he had a valid excuse for not meeting them earlier? She was the one who’d been stuck at Mouse’s with a five-year-old ogling all that chocolate.
“Who was at the door?” Mom eyed her from the kitchen.
“Matt.” Turning, she peered through the sidelight. Why was he still out there?
“What did he want?” Mom tossed over her shoulder.
“He had a g-i-f-t for someone.” Lacie had to spell out the word, otherwise Kenzie would be asking all kinds of questions. “But I told him he’d have to wait.” She nudged the sheer curtain ever so slightly with her finger. Just enough to get a better view.
He hadn’t even gotten into his Tahoe. He just stood beside it, staring at the ground with that stupid gift hanging from his hand.
“Why would you do that?” asked Mom.
Yeah. Would it have killed you to let him give her the present?
Straightening, she let the curtain fall back into place. She was not the bad guy here. She was simply trying to protect her niece.
You could give the guy a chance.
Huffing out a breath, she reached for the knob. “Fine.” She pushed the storm door open and poked her head outside. “Matt.”
When he looked her way, she motioned for him to come in.
“Thank you.” His smile was one of relief as he stepped onto the porch and followed her into the house.
“Look who’s here.” With Matt now at her side, she closed the door and continued through the living room to the adjoining kitchen.
Kenzie popped her head up from her coloring book at the kitchen table, while Mom poured herself another cup of tea at the island.
“Always a pleasure, Matt.” Mom smiled.
“Trust me, the pleasure is mine.” Stopping behind the sofa, he breathed deep. “Something sure smells good. You must be cooking up a storm in there, Barbara.”
“Not me.” Her mother picked up her mug, bobbing the teabag up and down. “Lacie’s the one who’s been baking all day. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie...”
His attention shifted to Lacie. “I didn’t realize you were so domestic.”
The sincerity in his dark gaze had her looking away. “There are probably a lot of things about me you don’t know.” And she’d just as soon keep it that way.
She moved into the kitchen.
Matt did, too, setting his gift bag atop the island before continuing on to the table. “Hi, Kenzie.”
The awe in his voice took Lacie by surprise.
The little girl paused, yellow crayon still in hand, and peered up at him. “Want to color with me?”
Seemingly nervous, he darted a glance to Lacie.
She reluctantly nodded her approval.
“It’s been a long time but, sure, I’d love to color with you.” He pulled out the next chair and sat down beside Kenzie. “What are we coloring?”
“I’m doing the kitty book,” Kenzie explained, “but you can color in my pony book.” She dropped the crayon and pulled another book from the small stack beside her.
“I like ponies,” he said.
“Me, too.” Kenzie opened the book and thumbed through it before setting it in front of Matt. “You can color this horsie. He’s a boy.”
“Oh, I see. What color do you think he should be?”
She dug through her crayon box, coming up with two blue crayons she promptly handed to Matt. “Boy horsies are only blue.”
“Really?” Practically beaming, he looked from Kenzie to Lacie and back. “I don’t think I knew that.”
Arms crossed over her chest, Lacie leaned against the island, watching as Matt set to work with the dark blue crayon.
She still didn’t want him here. Appearances could be deceiving. What if he wasn’t the good guy he seemed to be?
She felt a nudge against her elbow.
“Still skeptical?” her mother whispered.
Again focusing on the duo at the table, Lacie found it impossible to ignore the resemblance. Seeing Matt and Kenzie side by side...the hair, the eyes, the shape of their faces. Even the silly way each had their tongues peeking out of the corner of their mouths as they colored.
She hugged herself tighter. “Until proven otherwise, yes.” Yet as she watched the two of them, an ache filled her heart that was as unexpected as it was unwanted. Why had Marissa never said anything? All these years she let everyone believe Grant was Kenzie’s father and that he’d run out on them, robbing Kenzie of the father she deserved and Matt or whoever of the right to know his daughter.
How could her sister do such a thing? And now that the truth had been revealed, where did that leave Lacie?
Yeah, she needed to get him out of here as soon as possible. “Matt, wasn’t there something you wanted to give Kenzie?”
“Oh, man, sorry. I got distracted.” He pushed away from the table to retrieve the brightly colored bag. “Happy birthday, Kenzie.” He handed her his gift.
Her niece’s brown eyes went wide as she took hold. “For me?”
“That was pretty nice of Matt, wasn’t it, Kenzie?” Mom watched from the other side of the island.
“Uh-huh.” Standing on her chair, the little girl tossed the pink and orange tissue paper aside and peered into the bag. “A kitty!” She reached inside and pulled out a small gray kitten with a pale pink bow and brilliant blue eyes. “I love her!”
Hugging the toy to her chest, Kenzie looked at Matt. “What’s her name?”
“She doesn’t have one yet,” said Matt. “What do you think her name should be?”
Kenzie scrunched her face up as she studied her gift. “Starlight.”
“Starlight?” Matt and Lacie said simultaneously.
“Uh-huh.” Kenzie tucked the kitten under her arm. “Her name is Starlight.”
Mom shrugged, eyeing Lacie over the rim of her mug. “Reminds me of someone who insisted on naming our toy poodle Killer.”
“Hey, the way he used to growl and bare his teeth...”
“There’s something else in there, too.” Matt pointed to the gift bag.
Setting the kitten on the table, Kenzie again reached inside the sack. “What are these?”
Lacie moved beside her for a closer look. “They’re puzzles, Kenz.” She glanced at Matt. “You like puzzles. And these have words and letters that will help you get ready for school next year.” The perfect combination of education and fun. He’d really put some thought into his gift.
“Yeah.” The little girl again picked up the kitten, tucking it under her arm.
Lacie touched her shoulder. “What do you say to Matt?”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The guy couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
Tilting her head, Kenzie continued, “Can I play with them now?”
“Sure.” Matt quickly jerked his head toward Lacie. “That is, if your aunt Lacie says it’s all right.”
How could she say no? Though it had nothing to do with Matt and everything to do with Kenzie. “Go ahead.”
Watching Matt with Kenzie, Lacie couldn’t help noticing the wonder in his eyes. But how would he feel a month or a year from now when the novelty of having a child wore off? Or when Kenzie was sick or throwing a temper tantrum? Lacie had altered her entire life for Kenzie. And couldn’t imagine being without her.
“Matt—” Mom eyed him across the kitchen “—would you care to join us for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?”
Lacie glared at her mother. A few days ago the woman didn’t even want to celebrate Thanksgiving, and now she’s inviting Matt as though he’s part of the family? She could have at least run the idea past Lacie first.
“Thank you, Barbara, but I have to work tomorrow.�
��
Phew!
“Perhaps you can stop by in the evening then,” Mom continued. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of leftovers.”
Looked like Lacie was going to have to sit down with her mother and set some boundaries. Because the last thing she wanted to do was spend all her time with Matt Stephens. Not when being near him reminded her of the feelings she’d once had for him—and the ache of rejection when he’d chosen her sister.
While Mom gave Kenzie her bath a short time later, Lacie walked Matt to his vehicle.
“The gift was a nice gesture. Thank you.”
“No, thank you for understanding and for letting me see her.” He paused at the curb and looked down at her. “This was, without a doubt, the best night I’ve ever had. Kenzie is amazing.”
Despite wearing her coat, she shivered in the night air. “Yes, she is.”
His expression took on a more serious note. “I owe you an apology, though.”
“For?” Had he lied to her about the accident? Not that she couldn’t easily find out. This was Ouray, after all. Population one thousand.
“For accusing you of hiding Kenzie’s paternity from me. I know that you were just as clueless as I was. And if you want me to do some DNA testing or something...”
“Yes, I plan to do that right away.” Especially after seeing him and Kenzie side by side. “And just so you’ll know, I’m not proud of what my sister did.”
Hands shoved in the pockets of his uniform pants, he shrugged. “What’s done is done. However, now that the truth is out, I have every intention of building a relationship with Kenzie. I want to be a part of her life.”
“You...do know that we’ll be going back to Denver after the first of the year, right?” Sooner, if she could find a job.
Looking out over the neighborhood, he nodded. “I’ll do whatever I have to.”
Lacie’s heart nearly stopped beating. Her stomach sank to her knees.
That could only mean one thing. He was going to try to take Kenzie.
* * *
Watching Kenzie as she enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie with him the next night at the Colliers’ kitchen table only amplified Matt’s knowledge that his life had been forever changed. However, he still had a play to direct. And with only three days until their first real rehearsal, he was growing more nervous by the minute.
The Deputy's Holiday Family Page 6
