“First you need to meet our hostess,” he said to his daughter in a gentle but firm voice. He quickly performed the introductions.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Kerns,” Finley said in a soft, shy voice. “Thank you for inviting us to dinner.”
“It’s good to finally meet you, Finley. Please, call me Michelle.” The dog at her feet whined. A smile lifted Michelle’s lips. “I believe you’ve already met Sasha.”
Finley handed her father the plate of brownies, then crouched down in front of the dog.
“Sasha, shake,” Michelle ordered and the dog obligingly lifted one paw.
Finley took the paw, gave it a shake, then laughed, looking up at her dad.
A touching father-daughter moment, Michelle thought. Ed and his daughters had been close, too. A coldness filled her veins.
“Let me take these.” Michelle lifted the brownies from Gabe’s hands. “July and David are on the deck. Let’s join them.”
As they followed her through the home, she had to work to slow her breathing. She didn’t know why she felt so jittery. After all, it wasn’t as if she was interested in Gabe Davis.
Yet, for all her apprehension about the evening, once it got rolling, it couldn’t have gone better. Finley played ball with the dog in the backyard while the adults socialized.
Gabe was charming. There was no other way for Michelle to say it. When David insisted he had the grilling under control, Gabe carried plates out to the table, grabbed condiments from the refrigerator and added cranberries to the salad.
“You seem comfortable in the kitchen,” July commented when he scattered blue cheese crumbles over the top of the lettuce.
“Finley and I divide cooking duties,” Gabe said with a smile. “My mother gave us some cooking lessons and tips on making nutritious meals on a budget. If not for her help, I’m afraid we’d be surviving on fast food.”
“Does your mother live in Philadelphia?” Even though the conversation had been between July and Gabe, Michelle decided with only three of them in the kitchen, it was okay for her to jump into the conversation.
“My parents moved to Florida several years ago.” Gabe finished with the salad, then turned those warm golden eyes in her direction. “We both hated to see them go.”
Michelle grabbed steak sauce from the refrigerator and kept her tone offhand. “You were young when Finley was born… .”
“I turned eighteen a couple days before her birth,” Gabe said.
“So your mother took care of her for you?” Michelle prompted when he didn’t elaborate.
“My parents helped,” Gabe acknowledged, “but they made it clear that Finley was my daughter, my responsibility, which is how I saw it, too.”
“Because she was your mistake.” The minute the words left her mouth, Michelle wished she could call them back. The truth was, she didn’t see any child as a mistake. They were precious gifts from above. She’d devoted her career to bringing them safely into the world.
Gabe opened his mouth, then shut it.
“I’m sorry.” Michelle started to reach out to him but pulled back, not wanting to be too familiar. Still, he needed to know where she stood. “That came out wrong. To me every child is a miracle, regardless of timing.”
“She may not have been planned,” Gabe said slowly as if she hadn’t spoken, “but Finley was a great gift.”
“I gave birth to our oldest son,” July confided, “before David and I were married. Even though the timing might not be what some would consider perfect, I believe that was how it was meant to be. Adam came into our lives according to a higher timetable, not according to mine.”
The smile Gabe directed at July was warm. But when he shifted his gaze to Michelle, there was a coolness in his eyes that hadn’t been there moments before. “Perhaps one day—when you have a child of your own—you’ll understand.”
It was a low blow, but she figured she deserved it. “As I said, I’m sorry. It came out wrong.” Michelle forced a smile to her lips. “I think we’re ready to eat.”
By the time they took their seats around the wooden table on the deck, Michelle concluded that inviting Gabe and Finley over had been a mistake. One she wouldn’t repeat.
Despite the fact that her two neighbors were perfect guests, Michelle continued to feel off balanced. That insensitive comment she’d uttered in the kitchen was a perfect example of her jumbled thoughts.
“I really like photography,” she overheard Finley say to July. “But I’m not very good at it.”
“What kind of camera do you have?” July asked.
“A cheap digital.” Finley glanced at her father. “I asked for a better one for my birthday, but we didn’t have the money.”
“Moving across the country isn’t cheap.” Gabe cut off a bite of steak. “Not to mention spending seven hundred dollars for a birthday present isn’t something I’d ever consider appropriate.”
“Ah, Dad,” Finley began but stopped when her eyes met her father’s. She cleared her throat and focused on the others around the table. “I’m hoping to earn the money this summer. So if you know of anyone who needs a babysitter—I’ve completed the Red Cross certification—or have odd jobs I could do, please let me know.”
July put down her fork and turned to Michelle. “Didn’t you say something during book club about wishing you had someone to walk Sasha during the day?”
“I could walk her,” Finley began almost before the words left July’s mouth. “Because I live next door, Dad wouldn’t have to drive me or anything. Whenever you needed me, I’d be available.”
Michelle remembered being thirteen and eager to work, but too young for a work permit. And Finley was right, with her living next door, it couldn’t be any more perfect. But to have such a close association with Gabe’s daughter…
“Do you need someone, Doctor, I mean Michelle?” Finley pressed, her voice quivering with excitement.
“Honey.” Gabe placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder when Michelle didn’t immediately respond. “Michelle may already have someone in mind.”
He’d generously given her an out, but this time she wasn’t going to take it. What did it matter whose child Finley was? It wasn’t as if Michelle and Gabe were dating. It certainly wasn’t as if she’d ever consider marrying him.
“If you’re serious, I’d like to take you up on your offer, Finley.” Michelle’s smile widened as Finley squealed. “After supper we can talk about the specifics.”
“Ohmygosh, thank you so much.” The words tumbled from Finley’s mouth. “I’ll take good care of her. I promise.”
Of that Michelle had no doubt. “I know you will. I wouldn’t trust Sasha’s care to just anyone.”
Across Finley’s head, Gabe’s eyes caught hers. “Thank you,” he mouthed and a rush of warmth flowed through her veins.
No big deal, she told herself, taking another bite of salad. This was strictly a business arrangement between her and Finley. It didn’t have a thing to do with making Gabe happy. Not one thing.
Gabe had assumed he’d see Michelle at church on Sunday, but she wasn’t there or at breakfast afterward. He’d forgiven her for her comment about Finley being a mistake. There had been times in his past when he’d put his foot in his mouth, too. He believed her apology had been sincere.
He’d hoped for some