by Diana Tobin
“Cripes! Wouldn’t you know, I’m second choice—even with my mother.” She tugged on her hair.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing, Ethan.” The defeat in her voice made him want to scoop her up. Take her some place private with just the two of them.
He started to rise from his seat when the sound of the school bus arriving stopped him. Dani and Charley stepped down to the curb. Dani gave a quick wave through the window before walking next door to Nettie’s coffee shop, while Charley headed inside The Hair Mousse.
“She must’ve had a good day,” Michaela murmured.
Before Ethan could probe further, Charley entered with a happy squeal. “Hi, Ethan.” She raced to his side throwing her arms around him.
“Hey, Sprite. How was your day?”
“Great. Hi, Mama.”
“Oh, you do remember me.” Michaela grinned taking out any sting in her words.
Charley dashed around to give her mother a hug. “What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing, baby. It’s been a very quiet day.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
Michaela rubbed Charley’s back. “It’s not your fault. It takes time to get a business going. Since we don’t have any appointments, let’s close up and go home.”
Ethan rose from his chair. “May I take the three of you ladies out for dinner?”
“Don’t you have a houseful of men to feed?”
He winced a bit, dreading the thought of cooking. “I could order them pizza and take you elsewhere.”
She gave him a smile as Charley bounced with excitement. “Not tonight, thank you. I’ll give your…request some thought, and let you know tomorrow.”
“Okay. Let me give you my numbers.” He wrote down the numbers for his cell phone, landline at home, and for the rink.
Michaela glanced at the paper before tucking it into her pocket. “I should be able to find you. Dani usually closes the store for Mom, if you wanted to head over there.”
“So I can get shot down twice in one day?”
“I haven’t shot you down,” she insisted. “I said I want to think about it. I try not to make impulsive decisions these days.” Turning to Charley she said, “Will you make sure the back door is locked?”
As Charley headed off to the back of the building, Michaela asked, “How many meals are you wanting?”
“Dinners, for sure. You and the girls could eat with us. As for the rest,” he shrugged as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Whatever you make will be great. I’m not too bad on breakfast, and I wouldn’t expect you to come in at the crack of dawn.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know tomorrow.” She pulled her purse out from under the desk and handed Charley her backpack. “Ready, sweetie?”
“Ready. Are you coming home with us, Ethan?”
He tugged on a lock of Charley’s hair. “Not this time, Sprite. Maybe I’ll see you soon.”
“’Kay.” She wrapped her arms around his waist for a goodbye hug.
Damn, that felt good! Now, if her mother would just do the same.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Twice in one day, Ethan. You have missed me.” Nettie grinned at him as she cleaned a table.
Ethan glanced around the shop. “Don’t tell Wil, but you’re my best girl.” He gave her a quick grin. “I came to see Dani. Is she still here?”
“She’s in back, cleaning up. Is there a problem?” Nettie glanced over her shoulder. “She’s been doing well here.”
“No problem.” He touched her hand briefly. “Just an idea I had I want to discuss with her. Could she take a break for a few minutes?”
“I was going to let her go home with Micki and close up myself.”
“Michaela and Charley just left,” Ethan told her. “I can drive her home.”
“You go on back and have a chat with her. I’ll take her home when you’re finished.”
He nodded and headed for the back room. Dani was at the sink, her hips wiggling as she sang softly to the music in her head. Ethan cleared his throat, hoping to get her attention without startling her.
She stopped her gyrations and looked over her shoulder. “Hey. Does Grammie need me?”
“Hi,” he stepped closer so he wouldn’t have to yell to be heard, yet staying out of her way so she could complete her chores. “No, Nettie is fine. I wanted to talk to you about an idea I had this morning.”
“Am I going to like your idea?”
His lips quirked in a grin. “I hope so. We’d talked about you not keeping up with your physical therapy and I thought you might like to learn to skate. Or, do you already know how?”
She turned to face him more fully and shook her head. “Daddy was going to teach us that weekend…the one where we all got hurt.” Her gaze darted around the room before coming back to him. “Are you saying you’ll teach me?”
“No. Web’s got a few skating coaches interested in coming to the area. I’m sure one of them would be willing to give lessons.”
“No, thanks.” Dani turned back to the pans in the sink.
Ethan thought he’d seen a spark of interest in her eyes before he mentioned the other coaches. “Would you be interested if I were to teach you?” He couldn’t believe he’d just said that. But, why not? She’d need to start slow, and he was definitely slow.
Dani turned back to him propping a fisted hand on her hip, making him think of her mother. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I have a good understanding of what you’re going through.”
She studied him for a long moment before rinsing the pan she’d been washing. Stacking it with the other clean ones, she wiped out the sink, and draped the cloth over the edge of the sink. “Would it be just the two of us? Would you have other students?”
“Just us, Dani. Unless you want your mom, or someone, to come watch.” He shifted his weight. “I don’t give lessons. My life was devoted to hockey, and still is, as a coach. But, I can help get you started. There’s nothing like flying over the ice.” Even he could hear the dreaminess in his voice.
Dani wouldn’t look at him, but spoke clearly. “I wouldn’t want people watching me. Would we be able to do the lessons when others aren’t around?”
He didn’t let the smile show, but, oh, he wanted to. Who would’ve guessed helping this girl could please him so much? “It might mean going early in the morning or later in the evening, but we can work that out.”
Now, she met his gaze. “When would we start?”
“First, we have to get your mother’s approval.”
“Might as well forget it, then,” she said sullenly.
Ethan stepped closer to her. “Why do you think she won’t approve?”
Dani shrugged her shoulders. “She doesn’t care about me.”
“Dani, you know that’s not true. She cares deeply for you.” With one finger he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “Anyone can see she loves you and your sister.”
This time, she took a step back and folded her arms across her body. “Sure, she loves Charley. She’s the good kid. It’s me she hates.”
“Danielle, that’s not true. Why would you say such a thing?”
She gave another shrug. “She’ll end up leaving.”
Ethan frowned and decided now wasn’t the time to get into an argument about her relationship with her mother. “Call your mother, tell her we all need to talk. We’ll stop and get pizza on the way so she doesn’t have to cook.”
“I just locked up,” Nettie said as she stepped into the room. “Did you say you were getting pizza?”
“Yes. Dani and I need to talk to Michaela so I’m providing dinner. You’ll eat with us, won’t you?”
“If you’re going to take Dani home, I think I’ll call Wil so the two of us can have supper together.” Nettie went over to place an arm around Dani’s shoulders. “You’re okay going home with Ethan, aren’t you?” At Dani’s nod, Nettie said, “Tell your mom not to wait up for me. Think I’ve got myself a da
te for tonight.”
Dani returned Nettie’s grin. “You be careful, Grammie, and have a good time.”
“Have I told you lately you’re one of my favorite granddaughters?” Nettie kissed Dani’s cheek before pulling her cell from her pocket. “I’m going to let Wil pick me up here. You two go on.”
Dani’s eyes were still wide with surprise and pleasure from Nettie’s words.
Ethan grabbed Dani’s coat from a hook and held it while she slipped her arms in the sleeves. “Give your mom a call and let’s go.”
Pulling her cell from her backpack, Dani slipped one strap over her shoulder and dialed. “Bye, Grammie,” she said, before speaking into the phone.
****
Mike put together a salad to go with the pizza Dani and Ethan were bringing while Charley set the table in the farmhouse kitchen.
This had always been her favorite room in the house where she grew up. A large square space with windows on two walls providing views to the side of the house, and best of all, the rolling pasture at the back. A round oak table sat in front of the windows at the back. A door led to the mud room where shoes could be exchanged for clogs or boots, depending on the season and weather.
A black cast iron wood burning stove sat in the corner opposite the table. No longer used for cooking it did provide a cozy warmth on cold winter mornings. Tucked next to the old stove was a new glass topped electric stove. Next to that was a metal baker’s rack filled with colorful pots and ceramic bake ware.
New porcelain double sinks and the dishwasher sat beneath windows. A waist-high rectangular wooden table sat between sink and stove providing extra counter space.
Mike perched on a stool at the work table, a pen poised over the open notebook as she thought of menus to feed hungry men. Casseroles would be something she could stock in Ethan’s freezer. She would have him get a slow cooker, perhaps two, in which she could prepare meals ahead and drop off on her way into town. She and the girls would eat with them on the nights she cooked fresh.
She’d known she’d accept Ethan’s job practically from the moment he’d asked. She’d be foolish not to accept especially since business wasn’t exactly booming at her shop. If nothing else, it would cover the cost of skating lessons for Dani.
“What’cha doin’?”
“Planning menus.” Wrapping an arm around Charley’s waist, Mike hugged her. “Ethan asked me to cook for him and his guests.”
“Do we get to eat with them?”
“You want to?” At Charley’s nod, Mike asked, “Why?”
She shrugged her little shoulders. “I like being around Ethan.” She scuffed her feet and looked away. “Is it bad?”
“What, honey?”
“I don’t miss Daddy so much when Ethan’s around.”
Mike wrapped both arms around the little girl and pulled her close. “Oh, baby. No, it’s not bad, but…”
“But what?”
“Ethan’s just a friend. I don’t know what he plans to do after the hockey season.”
“You mean he might leave Webster?” She met Mike’s gaze. “Would we move away?”
“No,” she assured her daughter. “We’re going to stay right here. Webster is a good place to grow up.” Mike could barely remember why she’d wanted to leave so many years ago. “I should’ve stayed right here,” she said softly. Then, she smiled at Charley. “I’m glad I left, otherwise I wouldn’t have you.”
“I love you, Mama.”
“I love you, baby.”
“It’s okay that I like being with Ethan?’
“Yes. Just…do you like Wil?”
“Sure.”
Pressing a kiss to the top of Charley’s head, she said, “Good. I have a feeling he’ll be your grandpa before too long.”
“Really? Wait till I tell Dani!”
“Tell me what?” Dani came into the kitchen, followed by Ethan who was carrying two pizza boxes.
“Charley,” Mike said in warning, but the little girl spoke over her.
“Mama says Wil’s gonna be our grandpa.”
“When did this happen?” Ethan asked, placing the boxes on the table.
“It hasn’t, so don’t any of you start any rumors.” Mike gave them each a stern look. “I simply said it’s a possibility. Now, the three of you wash up for supper.”
Soon, the four of them were seated around the table with loaded plates. Charley was fairly bursting with happiness and Mike realized they had never shared a meal like this with Denny.
Before the accident, they had often shared meals, but then there was more than four at the table. After the accident, Denny often avoided time with his daughters. The few times he’d shared a meal with them, Bruce had also been present. Even then, the two men more often ate their meals in front of the television or, in good weather, outside. While Mike had tried to make a normal family life for his children, Denny had done the opposite—until he was out of the picture completely.
“Michaela.” Ethan laid his fingers on her arm making her realize he’d been trying to get her attention for some time.
“Sorry.” She blinked. “What did you say?”
He stared at her for a long moment before speaking. “Dani and I have something we’d like to discuss with you.” He nodded across the table at the teen.
With a deer-in-the-headlights look, Dani stared at Ethan, then put down the slice of pizza she’d been about to bite into, wiped her hands on her napkin and crossed her arms over her chest. Looking past Mike’s shoulder she said, “Ethan’s offered to give me skating lessons.”
“Is that something you’d like to do?” Mike asked quietly.
Dani’s gaze flickered to Mike and away. “Maybe.”
“What about your school work and helping at Grammie’s?”
This time, Dani looked between Mike and Ethan. For a second Mike glimpsed a look of sadness. “So, you’re saying I can’t take the lessons. Figures.”
Mike reached over to place her hand over Dani’s. “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m really proud of how well you’re doing in school and want to be sure you continue to do so. If you need to stop working at Grammie’s so you can take skate lessons, then that’s what you’ll do.” She waited for Dani to meet her gaze. “I’ll help you in any way I can.”
“You will?”
“Of course.” Mike’s smile was sad. “Mothers want to help their children, to do what’s best for them. I wish you didn’t doubt it.”
“But, you’re not—”
“Yes, I am.” She gave Dani’s hand a squeeze. “Don’t you know I chose to be your mother?” Turning back to Ethan, she said, “When do these lessons start?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ethan kept thinking about Michaela’s words to Dani, that she chose to be her mother. If she could get pregnant at the age of twelve she could’ve had an abortion. Which might have been best for Michaela, but hard to think of there not being a Danielle. Something about that mouthy teenager got to him.
Maybe it was the leg injuries they’d both suffered. In Dani, he could see a reflection of himself. He’d always been confident in what he wanted, what he could do, how his body could perform. He was working on building back up that confidence. Just like Dani.
Ethan still had both his parents, but they were best in small doses. His mother, Eileen, wanted to pamper him, and while his father treated him normally, Ethan couldn’t miss the sadness in his father’s eyes. Robert Reigh would gladly trade places with his son. Knowing that was as bad as his mother treating him like a weak six-month-old.
The loss of Dani’s father was fresh and new. But, she had a mother who plainly loved her. Yet, Dani doubted. He didn’t understand why.
Then, there was Charley. How could he resist such a happy child? She’d taken to him right away. He grinned at the thought of her. The grin faded as another thought came to mind; did she expect him to replace her father?
A few months ago, that would be enough to scare him into packing up and leaving tow
n. Now…well, now…it wasn’t so scary. But unlikely. He was old enough to be Dani’s father, a very young father. Too young, really.
What the hell had Denny Sparks been thinking? Didn’t matter, it was obvious what body part he’d let do his thinking. Looking at Michaela, Ethan could see, all too well, how it could happen.
He’d always supposed he’d have a family, one day, in the distant future. It wasn’t something he gave much thought to. He was more concerned with his career and having a good time. Ethan still wanted a good time—and he wanted it with Michaela.
As long as she didn’t try putting him in the roll of daddy.
She’d sent the girls off to do their homework while she cleaned up the kitchen. He sat at the table, finishing the beer she’d given him, and watched her.
He liked the way she moved. Long, graceful legs for an average-sized woman. He imagined those legs locked around his hips, holding him close.
She bent to place a plate in the dishwasher, making her jeans cup her ass the way his palms itched to.
The overhead lights shimmered on her brown hair as it swung loose around her shoulders, teasing over the upper slopes of her breasts. He wondered if she was wearing the lacy pink bra under her knit sweater.
He shifted in his chair trying to ease the swelling in his jeans.
“What did you say?”
“Huh?” He raised his gaze to hers.
“Do you want some coffee?”
What he wanted was for her to take off her jeans, straddle his lap, and let him bury himself so deep inside her they might never be separated.
“Uh,” he gulped the last of his beer to wet his dry throat. “No, I’m, uh, good. Thanks.”
She frowned at him. “Are you all right? You look a little pale.”
“Long day.” He began kneading his left thigh hoping to hide the pain he was really feeling a few inches higher.
“Do you really have time to teach Dani? I thought you wanted one of the other coaches to teach her.” Michaela took a seat to his right at the table, “Did you want some?” she indicated the glass of wine she held. “Or, another beer?”
“No, I should go soon.” He drew in a deep breath and brought his thoughts back above his waist. “Dani was refusing lessons unless I taught her. I’m no teacher, but figure I can get her started. When she’s more confident, you can look into getting her a real coach, if she wants.” He rolled one shoulder. “I’m not saying she should train for the Olympics or anything, but if she enjoys the sport it’ll be good for her. Maybe it will be something all of you can do together.” He ran his long fingers down the side of the bottle in front of him. “She doesn’t want anyone watching her, for now. We’ll have to work out a schedule, either early in the mornings or later at night.”
