Abby jerked her head in his direction, a smile lighting her face. “Hi, Daddy. I’m winning.”
Gil couldn’t speak around the lump in his throat. Instead he walked to his daughter and rested his hand on her head, staring at her sweet happy face. “You are? That’s great. What are you playing?”
“Sorry. Miss Julie taught me.” He looked over at Julie. Her hands were clasped in front of her mouth and moisture glistened in her eyes. His temporary nanny had a soft heart for those in her care. He started to ask her what she’d done to cause Abby to laugh, but the front doorbell chimed.
Julie stood and reached for her purse, glancing over her shoulder at him. “Pizza delivery. Abby, can you put the game away, please?”
Abby looked up at him. “We’re having pizza. You want some?”
He brushed a few strands of hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Sure. That sounds nice. So you and Miss Julie had fun today?” Abby nodded. “Your grandma and your new cousin, Evan, like to play this game. Now you can play with them.”
Gil helped place the lid on the game box and set it aside. When he looked back up, Julie was placing the pizza box in the center of the table. The aroma made his stomach growl.
“I hope you like everything on your pizza.”
“I do. Is there something I can do to help?”
“Drinks? Abby, sweetie, will you get the plates and napkins?”
He watched in amazement as Abby happily did as she was asked. He’d deliberately not asked much of her, believing she needed the freedom to adjust, but maybe leaving her to do as she pleased wasn’t the best way either. His mood sagged. He should know that. He was her father. But this young teacher was far more adept at caring for his child than he was.
Julie fit easily into their life. In the past few days he’d looked forward to seeing her when he came home, even if it was only a brief encounter. She was always smiling and upbeat. No wonder Abby adored her. She would be an easy woman to love. Julie turned and caught him staring.
“Is something wrong?”
He cleared his throat and shut down his wayward thoughts. “No. I could never get her to help with anything. She always sulked and went to her room.”
Julie smiled, flashing her lone dimple. “I didn’t give her a choice. We all have to pitch in. I think she enjoys it now.”
He got the hint. That’s the way it had been in his family. Everyone did his or her part. No options available. But none of them had been through what Abby had. He didn’t want to do anything to upset her or cause more distress.
Seated at the table, Gil let the peaceful feeling seep through him. Julie did most of the talking, telling him what she and Abby had done in the afternoon, how Abby had won the most games of Sorry and some of the funny things her online students wrote in their papers.
“When are we going to get my puppy?”
He’d been enjoying the meal so much he’d forgotten about the weekend plans. “Saturday morning. Your uncle Linc and I are taking you and Evan to the shelter in Sawyer’s Bend so you can pick out your pets.” The big smile and bright eyes on his child’s face stole his breath. If only he could make her this happy every second of her life.
Julie chuckled softly. “Have you thought about a name for your dog?”
“Not yet. But I’ll know after I pick it out.”
After cleaning up the kitchen, Julie sent Abby upstairs to get ready for bed.
Gil called after her as she left the room. “I’ll be up to tuck you in, sweet pea.”
“I want Julie to do it,” Abby said.
All the blood drained from his face. Of course she did. “Good night, then. Sleep tight.”
He glanced over at Julie. The tenderness in her eyes drew him. “No Father-of-the-Year awards for me.”
“Be patient. It’ll take time. She’s gotten used to me, and she hasn’t seen much of you this week.”
His defenses kicked in. “I couldn’t help it. Our business is on life support right now. We would have lost the company if my brother hadn’t stepped in. I need to be there.”
“That wasn’t a reprimand. I’m just pointing out she’s spent more time with me, that’s all. But I have a suggestion.” She pulled a sheet of paper from the counter. “Your church is holding a father-daughter dinner soon. You could take Abby. It would be a special outing for you both. I think she’d like that.”
Gil studied the paper. What would they talk about over dinner? “I’m not so sure, but I’ll think about it.” He could tell she wasn’t pleased with his response, but he had more important things on his mind.
She tilted her head, a half smile causing her dimple to briefly appear. “How did the meeting with Mrs. Taylor go?”
He rubbed his temple. Another sore spot. It had been a lousy day—except for coming home and hearing Abby’s laughter. “She seems to think I should force Abby to participate in school and make friends.”
“Is that really what she said? I’m a teacher, and we only send notes like the one she sent when we have concerns for the student’s well-being.”
“How can she know what’s best for Abby after only a few weeks?”
“Experience.”
“Seems to me she’s just putting more pressure on her.” Gil glanced up when Abby called for Julie from upstairs.
“I’ll be right back. But you should go and say good-night, too. Later.”
“She doesn’t want me.” Julie caught him off guard when she rested her small hand on his arm. The warmth of her touch soothed his disappointment.
“Go anyway.”
Gil retreated to the office, hoping to sort through his emotional turmoil. In a short span of time he’d gone from irritation to joy to hurt. He’d never anticipated the hostility and rejection from his daughter. Or that she would latch on to a stranger. Clearly Julie had an ability with children he lacked. Yet every inroad she made left him feeling resentful. He needed advice. Direction. Things his parents had always provided, but Dad was gone and Mom was out of the country. He glanced at the clock. Not a good time to call his mother. Not a good time for much of anything.
* * *
Julie tucked Abby in and said good-night, telling her that her father would be up to see her soon, gently reminding her how much he loved her. The kitchen was empty when she returned, so she went in search of her employer and found him in the office off the family room. She’d never been inside. The door was usually closed, but not this evening. The room was predictably masculine with a dark wooden desk and brown leather chair. There was a drafting board set to one side, where a round container held rolls of blueprints.
But it was Gil who drew her attention. He stood in front of the fireplace, his hands clutching the mantel edge as he stared into the firebox. The dejected slope of his broad shoulders said it all. Abby had hurt him deeply with her comments. Her heart went out to him. He wanted desperately to connect with his child, but he was floundering.
“Abby is all tucked in. I told her you’d be up to say good-night later.”
Gil straightened and faced her, shoving his hands into his pockets. He pressed his lips together. “She doesn’t want to see me.”
Julie’s heart ached. She didn’t know whom she wanted to comfort more, Abby or her dad. “That’s not true. She does, she’s just confused and uncertain. If you don’t mind me asking, is there more going on with Abby than losing her mother?”
He stared at the floor a long moment before answering. When he met her gaze again,