conversation. Was this an omen? Rubbing my temples, I sighed. “School nights are out. It’s a rush to get everything done and then, before I know it, it’s bedtime. How about this weekend? Saturday?”
“Name the place and time and I’ll be there.”
“Buddy’s Pizza. It’s over near the mall.”
“I’ve seen it.”
“She loves that place because they have all sorts of games and toys she can win. We’ll let her play some and then eat.”
“I like that idea. Thanks. What time?”
“Noon.”
He rose to his feet. “Thanks, English. I appreciate this.”
“You’d better. I’m totally going out on a limb. If, at any time, I don’t think this is good for her, I’ll call it quits.”
“Understood.”
Dad was still in the hall, scowling, when we both emerged from the office.
As Stuart walked away, he said, “Thanks again. I’ll see you at noon on Saturday.”
When he was gone, Dad said, “You’re going to regret this. Mark these words, and I wish I didn’t have to say them.”
“Dad, please.”
“That boy can’t be trusted. His eyes are shifty, munchkin. He wouldn’t even look at me.”
Maybe I was naive, but I’d never seen it. Or maybe I wanted to believe the father of my daughter wasn’t an evil man. Whatever the case, he’d have the opportunity to meet her and if it didn’t work out, then so be it. “Why don’t you join us on Saturday then? Mom is coming.”
“Have you asked her?”
I shifted on my feet, because I hadn’t. “Not yet, but I was going to call her.”
“I see.” His mouth turned down at the corners and his eyes were a bit pinched. When he looked at me like that, guilt usually rained over me.
“Don’t look at me like that. Easton has a right to know him. She will be supervised and I won’t leave the two of them alone. Come and see for yourself.”
“I think I will.”
On Saturday, Easton could barely contain herself. She bounced on her toes as we entered her favorite place. “Where are they?” She was referring to her grandparents.
“I don’t see them,” I answered.
“Can we go play a game till they get here? Please, oh, please, Mommy?”
I’d put her hair in a high ponytail and it swung around as though it were swatting flies. She’d insisted on wearing her pink princess dress. It was a bit small and short on her, so her leopard boots peeked out from underneath. I’d begged her not to wear them, but I’d given up the fight. She even wore the rhinestone tiara and carried the wand. Good Lord, she looked a mess.
“Look, there’s Mimi and Boppy.” She ran straight into my dad’s arms and he swung her high in the air, which he always did because she squealed with delight.
“Love the outfit, princess.”
“Me too. Do you like my wand?”
“I do. Can you work magic with it?”
“Nah, but it’s cool anyway, isn’t it?”
Mom said, “I love your hair. Did you do it?”
“I helped Mommy. Can we go play a game now?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Dad said, “Sure,” and carried her off, leaving me standing there.
Mom shook her head. “He’s not happy with your decision.”
“Tell me about it. I heard about it all week. But I’m standing firm on this.”
“If it’s what you believe, then you should.”
Stuart was late. I checked my watch to see it was three minutes after twelve. Then I glanced at the door to see him walking in.
“Hey, is she here?” he asked.
“Yeah. You remember my mom?” It annoyed me he didn’t even say hello to her.
“Of course. How are you, Mrs. Bridges?”
“Well, and you?”
“I’m fantastic.” He craned his neck to get a look around the place. “Where is she?” Impatience coated his tone.
“Playing a game with Dad.”
“Oh. I didn’t think he was coming.”
“Gosh, he wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Mom said.
Stuart’s brows rose.
“Let’s get a table and settle in. Then we can join them in their games,” I said.
Stuart’s phone rang and he excused himself. A few minutes later he came back and said, “I may have to cut my visit short. Something’s come up.”
Seriously? Before I thought about it, I said, “I guess Easton isn’t as important as whatever that is.”
He definitely got the gist of my snarky comment. “Uh, that’s not it. She is. But—”
“But what? You wanted this meeting, Stuart, not me.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Suppose?”
“Hold on.” He walked away with his phone to his ear. When he returned, he said, “I’m all yours for the next hour and a half.”
Great. Now I had to put up