One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska #1) - Patience Griffin Page 0,35
does that name sound familiar?” Ella asked.
“I don’t know,” Hope lied. She seemed to lie a lot to Ella, as far as Izzie was concerned. “Anyway, Rick invited Sparkle out to the lodge to watch a movie tonight. Sparkle won’t go unless I go, too.”
“You guys are acting like a bunch of freshmen.”
“Would you like to come along?” Hope didn’t know why she’d asked. Okay, Donovan had invited Ella, but maybe deep down she really did want Ella to get to know her dad . . . without there being a bunch of drama to go along with it.
“Sure,” Ella said, surprising Hope. “As long as I don’t have to wear a dress, too. Can I bring Lacy along?”
Safety in numbers. “Absolutely.” Then a razor of panic slid through Hope. What if Ella figured out that Donovan was her father? She tamped down the fear; there was no way for her to find out. “Can you be ready in five?” Then, as an afterthought, she added, “Grab a couple of cheese sticks for you and Lacy. Dinner will be late.” Hope was going to have to cook the roast while Rick chatted up Sparkle. At least the roast would keep Hope busy, which would ward off her feeling awkward around Donovan. She wondered if Elsie Stone’s pressure cooker was still on the premises and safe enough to use after all these years.
“I’ll go call Lacy,” Ella said as she raced from the room.
Hope still needed to change back into what she was wearing earlier—turtleneck, kuspuk, and jeans.
Fifteen minutes later, they picked up Sparkle. Lacy was going to drive out later, as she had to finish her chores first.
Hope glanced over at Sparkle, who seemed as nervous as Hope felt. Ella had earbuds in and had no idea how tense the women were in the front seat.
“Thanks for agreeing to come along,” Sparkle said quietly. “I know this has to be awkward for you.”
“I’m happy to do it,” replied Hope. Oh, she was definitely going to hell for all the lying she was doing.
“Why would it be awkward, Mom?” Ella said, surprising Hope.
“No reason,” Hope lied again. “I thought you were listening to music?”
“I can do both,” Ella chirped. “So . . . awkward, why?”
Sparkle quietly cleared her throat and Hope knew she was being nudged. Fine!
“Donovan and I were neighbors growing up. We dated for a brief time in high school.” Then Hope added. “Ancient history.”
“The Stone Age.” Ella snickered.
The closer they got to the lodge, Sparkle seemed to squirm more. “Are you okay?”
Sparkle sighed. “I just can’t believe Rick wants to spend time with me.”
“I can believe it. You’re a smart, beautiful woman, Sparkle, so I’m not surprised at all. The more important question is: Do you like him?”
“He’s very . . . charming,” she said.
“Well, this should give you an opportunity to assess him, not the other way around. Do you hear?”
“I guess so,” Sparkle said.
“I know so,” Hope said.
A few minutes later, they pulled up to the lodge and parked. All three guys came out on the porch to meet them—Donovan, Rick, and Boomer, who, of course, was in Donovan’s arms.
Hope opened her door, but Ella scrambled from the car first.
She rushed up the porch steps, straight to Donovan. “What a cute dog!” It was like she was ten again. But teenagers could easily revert. Especially if it was her daughter and a dog was involved. “What’s his name? Can I play with him?”
“Boomer.” Donovan set him in Ella’s arms.
Hope realized Sparkle hadn’t budged. She looked too paralyzed to leave the car. Hope reached over and squeezed her hand. “We’re just going to have a little dinner and watch a movie. If you decide you don’t like Rick, then we’ll leave. No harm done.” But Hope couldn’t imagine any scenario where Sparkle wouldn’t like Rick. Hope had a good feeling about him, and her intuition was saying that Rick was one of the good guys. Rick had Donovan’s stamp of approval, which spoke volumes.
Though Hope was a jumble of nerves, she felt like she had to be the strong one here and went around to the other side of the car and opened Sparkle’s door for her. Sparkle took the hint and exited.
Hope slapped a neutral pleasant expression on her face. “I see my daughter Ella has commandeered your dog.” Hope walked up to the porch, modeling for Sparkle how it was done.
Ella had Boomer in the driveway, playing a game of chase with him.