Stephanie Dees - The Dad Next Door

Her never-ending list just got a little bit longer, but there was only one way to handle it: one thing at a time. And lots of chocolate.

* * *

Joe turned into the drive at Red Hill Farm. Before he’d even come to a stop, Amelia was out of the truck and running toward Claire, long dark hair flying. “Hey, Claire, is that your horse? Is that a goat? What’s her name?”

“Yep, that’s Freckles, my horse. And this is a very pregnant goat who doesn’t really have a name other than Mama Goat.” Claire met his eyes, a smile lighting her face from within. Her jeans and boots weren’t fancy, nor was the ponytail, and she was covered in dirt. But despite her near breakdown the first day, it was obvious she was comfortable in her skin, comfortable in her abilities. Determined to make things work.

She handed the lead rein to his daughter. “Why don’t you think of one for her?”

Amelia’s eyes widened, then she looked away, playing it off. Joe hid a smile. “Yeah, okay, cool.”

“She might need a walk. She had a long ride to get here.”

Joe leaned over to scratch Mama Goat behind the ears. She butted him with her head and Amelia laughed, a delighted little-girl laugh, and Joe had to blink back tears. He hadn’t heard so much as a giggle since she’d moved in with him two weeks ago.

Claire leaned back on the fence and her horse nibbled at her hair. She either ignored him or didn’t notice, her eyes on Amelia. “When I went in the barn this morning to shovel out a stall for Freckles, I found a mama kitty with four little babies.”

His daughter bounced on her feet. “Can I see them?”

“Of course. The mama’s a little wild, but the kittens are small enough that they could probably be tamed.” Claire appeared to think about it. “They’ll need a lot of attention and petting. I’m not sure I’m going to have time with all the renovations.”

Amelia’s eyes widened, but she shrugged. “I could help.” She shot a sideways glance at Joe. “Maybe.”

Joe’s heart clenched as he watched his daughter battle with hope. There’d been so little of it in her life.

“Are you sure? I could use a hand with the animals, but you’re busy with school and stuff.”

“I don’t mind! I really don’t.” Mama Goat found something edible in the grass and put on the brakes. Amelia tugged on the lead, her forehead furrowing.

“If your dad says it’s okay, it would be awesome if you could help me for an hour or two in the afternoons when you’re free. But only if your dad says it’s okay.”

Amelia lifted her head, her big blue eyes meeting his. Those eyes that so mirrored his were full of uncertainty. She’d spent the last two weeks of her life trying to make his miserable and now her dearest wish was in his hands. “Please, Joe?”

He’d tried everything to figure out a way to connect with his daughter and Claire had just served it up to him on a silver platter. “Yeah, I think it’s a great idea.”

“Thanks, Joe! Claire, is it okay if I see if I can find them? I can put Tinkerbell here into the barn.” It wasn’t any of the grateful scenarios he’d imagined—Amelia didn’t smile or hug him—but she had spoken to him of her own free will.

One step at a time.

“Tinkerbell is the perfect name. I love it! While you look for the kittens, your dad and I are going to check out the cabin on the other side of the pond.” Claire started around the water’s edge. The sun was easing toward the horizon, the sky streaky with pink and orange fingers of light.

Joe followed Claire, for once glad that the sunglasses he wore hid his eyes. Amelia had such a hard time trusting, but Claire had seen that the animals were a key to reaching her and hadn’t hesitated. Maybe it was just his daughter, but Claire definitely had a way with kids.

The small cabin was tucked into the woods behind the main house. The place had obviously seen better days, but even in the current condition, the view of a crystal-clear spring-fed pond went into the pro column. A rocking chair or a swing on this porch would be really nice.

She pushed open the door and let him walk in first. He took off his sunglasses and tucked them in his front shirt pocket. Dust swirled in the dim room. It had a kind of charm, if you went for dark and brooding.

“It was apparently a foreman’s cottage in the years Red Hill Farm was a working plantation. I thought it might make a good office for me, but it’s going to be a while before I get to it.”

He didn’t say anything. She was obviously optimistic. It might make a good office, if she plowed it over and started again. Did he really want his daughter here? He opened a cabinet door and it fell off its hinges.

Claire jumped as it hit the floor. “Wow. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. It’s going to take a lot of work to make this place livable.”

He heard a suspicious rustling sound in the bottom cabinet and elected to ignore it. “Let’s just check it out.”

“What’s going on?” Amelia bounced into the space, her eyes sparkling even in the dim light, a tiny black-and-white kitten cupped in her hands.

“We’re looking to see if the cabin might work out for us.”

Hope burst onto Amelia’s face and she danced into the front room. “We’re going to live here?”

Joe sent Claire a look over his daughter’s head. “Not necessarily. And only for a while, until my shoulder is better.”

“Please, Joe. I’ll help with the chores. I’ll do whatever you ask.” Her eyes brightened as inspiration struck. “I’ll eat breakfast every day.”

A small smile escaped Claire’s control, but she didn’t say anything.

Joe tried to summon his mean cop face, but the hope that this might be some kind of breakthrough with his daughter kept it from being very effective. “You’ll eat breakfast with me? Without an attitude?”

Claire shoved one of the front windows up to let some air into the musty space. “Don’t answer that, Amelia. You should probably check out the bedrooms before you decide.”

Amelia looked around. “It’s not that bad. We could paint it.”

“There are two bedrooms with a bathroom in between.” Claire sneezed.

“There’s a bathroom?” Joe raised an eyebrow.

“No need to go outside. Amenities are assured here at Red Hill Farm. The place is really small, though, smaller than I thought at first glance last night.”

“It’s not small. It’s cozy.” Amelia ran from one room to the next, then popped back out into the main room. “Here, hold the cat. Can I have the bedroom on the right?”

“Uhm, sure.” It was pure reflex that had Joe cupping his hands around the little kitten. It looked as stunned as he felt, little black eyes blinking at him. Amelia had gone from not speaking a word to chattering away, and it was weird. Twilight Zone weird.

Claire lifted the baby from his hands and snuggled it under her chin. “Tell you what, why don’t we forego the rent for now? You fix the place up in your spare time. Clean it up, coat of paint, buff the floors. And when Amelia’s not working in here, she can help me with the animals.”

The Twilight Zone thing was still kind of buzzing in Joe’s head, but he had the good sense to nod. “Yeah, fine with me.”

Amelia bounced on the bed in the room she’d picked, a cloud of dust pluming around her. Claire shook her head. “I’m pretty sure I’m getting the better end of that deal.”

Joe coughed, made a face, then coughed again. “You’re right about that. We’ll come back tomorrow after school and get started cleaning this place out. Amelia, it’s time to go.”

They stepped out into the light and Joe slid his sunglasses on. “Why don’t you come back to Bertie’s with us tonight? She’ll have some kind of huge dinner and expect me to eat it all. Plus, if you’re not there, she’s just going to be grilling me about you. If you come, you’ll be doing me a favor.”