One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska #1) - Patience Griffin Page 0,52

what I have.”

“If it’s for the lodge, you do it here during working hours,” Donovan said firmly.

“Well, I’m outta here,” said Rick as he put two pieces of pizza on a paper plate and laid foil over the top. “My lady is waiting.”

“Bye,” said Hope. “Have a good time.”

“Text when you get there,” Donovan added.

“Will do.” Rick picked up the duffel bag at the door with his free hand. “Hope, we’ll get all your paperwork squared away when I get back.” With that he was gone, leaving Hope and Donovan alone.

* * *

• • •

“WE NEED TO talk.” With Rick gone, Donovan felt awkward, but there were things he and Hope needed to discuss. Not about the lodge, but more important things.

He took the moose fabric from her and set it on the arm of the couch.

“Talk about what?” Hope seemed as cautious as a mother deer.

“Come get a plate. And tell me what you’d like to drink,” Donovan said.

“Water.” Hope followed him into the kitchen.

He pulled two of his grandmother’s stoneware plates from the cabinet, handing them to her, and then poured two glasses of filtered water for them.

In the dining room, he took his seat, deciding to start the conversation with something benign. “I know you said that you wouldn’t clean up after me, but I was wondering if you could fix up Nan’s studio this afternoon, since you refused to take the rest of the day off. Or at least start on it?”

“You’re the boss,” she muttered.

Donovan nodded to the food. “Dig in. I can’t eat it all myself.” Which wasn’t true. Cold pizza for breakfast was one of his favorites. He took two slices and set them on his plate. “While you’re cleaning up the studio, can you make a list of things that might spruce up the space?”

She stared him down. “I doubt the new owners will want to have a large sewing room.”

True. “Well, I’d like to make the studio into something that Nan would be proud of.” Ugh, he was being sentimental. “Courtney has some ideas about what to turn the space into.”

Hope didn’t look happy about the prospect of involving Courtney. The truth was that he didn’t want Courtney involved either.

“Eat up,” Donovan said, before he took his first bite.

Hope covered her unhappiness by taking a piece of pizza.

He wanted her to take a few bites before he delved into the other reason he needed to talk to her.

They both ate in silence. He wished Rick had started some music before he left. The air was heavy with unsaid words. Disjointed thoughts weighed heavy on his mind. But he chose to focus on the tangible. Boomer was lying by the fire. The sky clouded up outside. And the grandfather clock had just chimed two.

Donovan looked down at the envelope that Rick had left on the table. When Hope had nearly finished her slice of pizza, Donovan picked up the envelope and set it beside her.

“I know this won’t make up for not being in Ella’s life,” he said, “but here’s a check for back child support. Rick did some research and came up with a fair number.”

Hope looked horrified . . . and speechless. Finally, she said, “I don’t want your money!” and pushed the envelope back to him. “I just need the job here. Until I can find another one.”

“Take the money, Hope. It’s for Ella, anyway, not for you.”

“No. And don’t even think about trying to give it to Ella. I’ve raised her to take care of herself. You flashing a bunch of cash in front of my daughter will only confuse her.”

Yeah, he didn’t like how Hope kept saying my daughter. He’d have to make her see reason. “What about incidentals for Ella? A little walking-around money?” As Nan used to call it. He had to do something. He just couldn’t sit around while his daughter lived in poverty. “What about clothes? A car?”

“No! Ella doesn’t need a car.” Hope looked infuriated. After a minute she sighed and said, “Okay, I will accept child support going forward. You could pay for her phone and her school clothes.”

“I will absolutely take care of those. What about groceries?” he asked.

“We’re fine.”

He could tell he’d better back off.

“I just want to be clear, I’m talking about going forward,” she said. “No back support. I mean it. What’s done is done.”

The way she said it made him think that was her mantra. Well, he’d give in now, but maybe he could provide