One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska #1) - Patience Griffin Page 0,54
startling her. He was leaning in the doorway.
“I’m talking to your dog,” she said.
“Listen, Hope, I didn’t mean to upset you by trying to give you money. Never my intent. I just thought I should—”
“Be the big man and point out how I haven’t made anything of myself?” she finished for him.
“No. That’s not it at all. Ella is entitled to her father’s help.” He walked farther into the room and picked up a rotary cutter from the cutting mat. He stared directly at the tool but clearly wasn’t seeing it. “I hate that I’ve been a deadbeat dad.”
Do not feel sorry for Donovan, she told herself. She forced a roll of her eyes. “Please. You had no idea that Ella existed.” What made her want to lay a hand on his arm to soothe the hurt expression on his face? She stayed rooted to the spot, not trusting herself to move closer to him.
He took the broom from her and began sweeping the threads into a pile. She watched for a second—maybe longer than that, actually—then left the room to find the Windex and the paper towels from under the kitchen sink.
When she got back, Donovan was scooping the threads into a dustpan. Hope went to the first window without a word.
They proceeded to work in silence, doing a strange dance as they straightened and cleaned his grandmother’s beloved room. It was almost hypnotic, and for once, the nagging voice inside Hope’s head quieted.
At four thirty, she received a text from Ella.
When are you coming home?
Hope looked over at Donovan, who was dusting one of the tabletops, and found that he was staring back.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” Hope hated to do this. “Do you mind if I leave now? I’ll work extra tomorrow. The text was from Ella.”
“Not tomorrow; it’s Sunday.”
“Right.”
“Go on home.” He gave a little scoot gesture. “Let me know if you come up with ideas for updating this room or any of the other rooms on the property.”
“I will.” Hope scratched Boomer behind the ears and stepped outside, where she texted Ella that she was on her way. Hope’s heart was racing and for a change it had nothing to do with Donovan. Ella is looking for me! Maybe Ella had forgiven her.
But Ella only wanted to borrow the car.
“Lacy and I are going to Tyler’s house to decorate for his Halloween party.”
Hope gestured at the calendar hanging by a nail on the kitchen wall. “It’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“Geesh, Mom. The party is next weekend. We have a lot of exams next week so we thought we’d get started on it now,” Ella said.
“Is there going to be a keg at Tyler’s party?” Hope knew this direct question would certainly provoke Ella’s anger.
Sure enough, Ella glared. “Can I have the car or not? Lacy’s mom has theirs. Apparently, Aberdeen’s date tonight isn’t able to drive.”
Hope didn’t ask Ella what that meant but instead handed her the keys. “Don’t have a drop of alcohol or your driving privileges will be revoked. Forever.”
Ella rolled her eyes and walked toward the door without a word.
“I want you home before midnight,” Hope said. Sober, unharmed, safe.
Ella only grunted before slamming the door behind her.
Hope walked into the living room, feeling defeated. She was too tired to make dinner and wished she’d nabbed some of Donovan’s pizza before leaving the lodge. If she’d known why Ella wanted her home, she could’ve made a pit stop at the Hungry Bear first. They needed milk, canned tuna, and bread, at the very least. She shoved her stocking cap back on her head and headed off for the store on foot. If she hurried, she should make it before it closed. But if not, she still had the key in her coat pocket and she would use it this one last time.
Ten minutes later and a bit winded, Hope got close enough to the store to see Piney locking up for the night. But the weird thing was she was outside the store, instead of in, and holding several bulging Hungry Bear shopping bags.
Hope hurried across the street. “Closing up a few minutes early?”
Startled, Piney spun around. “Oh, it’s you. I was just coming to your place.”
“To see Bill?” Hope asked. Piney never came to see her, so she must mean Bill.
Piney held up the bags. “A grocery delivery for you.”
Oh, heck no. Hope didn’t want charity. “You don’t need to give me groceries. I came to buy my own.”