Page 20 of Sheltering Lily

“I don’t think it would have worked out.” He took a sip of coffee, watching me over the rim.

“Really? I mean…you seemed perfect for each other. You’re looking for steady and rational, and she practically screams those characteristics. If she ever screams at all, which I’m sure she doesn’t.” Samantha, an ER nurse supervisor, was never ruffled, always perfectly calm and controlled. Screaming as an expression of emotion was not in her makeup. Again, making her the right woman for Colin. “And she plays bridge. Do you know how difficult it is to find anyone under the age of eighty who does that?” I put my hand to my mouth, but it was too late—the words were out. “No offense,” I added.

Colin forked up a piece of waffle and grinned at me, letting me know he wasn’t offended. That was a relief, but it didn’t improve my understanding of what had happened with the date.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “Samantha’s terrific.”

“It’s canceled,” he said with a shrug. “I’m taking a break from dating. Maybe I’ll find some other activities to keep me busy. I could take an art class, for instance.”

Who are you? I wanted to ask. And what have you done with uptight Colin, whose house was white as snow? I looked around his kitchen, and I came to the abrupt realization that it wasn’t so white anymore. Sofia’s artwork was stuck to the refrigerator, and though the space was clean, it was no longer the gleaming, sterile environment it had once been. The other rooms were the same. Little bits of color and clutter had been added, including Sofia’s green handprint on the glass cabinet that held Colin’s beloved cards. It had happened so gradually that I hadn’t really noticed it. But now that I was noticing it, I liked it.

“If you like,” I said.

“Today, though,” he said, “I’d like to spend time with you and Sofia and tag along on this adventure that Sofia’s so excited about.”

“Sure,” I agreed, wondering why he didn’t simply dismiss me for the day. I had set up the activity and looked forward to it, but I’d give it up if he asked. “We better get you cleaned up and dressed.” I lifted Sofia from the high chair.

“I can do it,” he said, reaching for his daughter at the same time. We bumped together, front to front, before I took a quick step back. That brief contact had me thinking thoughts I shouldn’t, not in the kitchen with his toddler daughter present—and not at all, if I were being practical. Getting involved with a man who ultimately didn’t want me wasn’t smart.

“Sofia wants to wear something special,” I explained. “Let me.”

Upstairs, I dressed Sofia in a princess costume that must have been left over from the previous Halloween. Despite it being a size too small, Sofia could still squeeze into it. I twisted the girl’s thick hair into a bun and added a tiny bit of lip gloss.

“Gorgeous,” I declared. “Let’s find your daddy and go.”

We spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon in a children’s story center in a neighboring town. Sofia skipped ahead of us, exploring the large space that allowed children to interact with their favorite books. In one area, Sofia followed a path through a forest complete with trees, flowers, and caves. In another, she waved from the tower of a storybook castle. Her favorite room turned out to be a giant library, reminiscent of the one in Beauty and the Beast.

Later, we grabbed some takeout and headed for a park to have an impromptu picnic and enjoy the beautiful weather. After Sofia ate, she begged her daddy for a game of chase while I stayed on the bench and watched them. Sofia laughed and ran, keeping just ahead of Colin, who was moving in exaggerated slow motion to let her stay ahead of him. After several minutes of chasing, he reached out and almost “caught” Sofia, only to stumble and fall dramatically to the ground when he missed. Sofia squealed with delight, dancing around his fallen form until he snatched her, taking her to the grass and tickling her.

I laughed at the antics of the big, handsome man, still built like a SEAL, and his precious daughter. I had to admit that he wormed his way into my heart at moments like this. And other ones. His love for his daughter was so sweet. No one could witness that, as I had, living in the household, and not realize how big his heart was. I felt a pang. Colin and Sofia deserved someone who would stay with them forever and complete the picture of the perfect family he seemed to want so much.

I sighed, happy he’d canceled the date that night. He’d date again, though, and he should, I told myself. He deserved the happiness that a good relationship could bring. I waved when they looked in my direction, feeling a tug at my heart for both father and daughter.

Colin

I scooped Sofia up in my arms and rested her on my shoulders as we walked back to Lily. Sofia loved to ride up there, since my height gave her a bird’s-eye view. She clapped her hands and squealed when I ran a few steps, bouncing her. She would sleep soundly that night, which was a good thing since I had plans for the night involving her nanny.

Despite work consuming almost every waking minute for the past week, I’d stolen time to think about Lily, about our night together. It had been damn near perfect, and I’d regretted the phone call that abruptly ended it. Maybe it had been for the best, though. I didn’t know what I would have said to this woman who had captured both my daughter’s heart and my interest so easily. The week had given me time to consider the possibility of us as a couple.

She wasn’t on board with the idea of a relationship. I knew that. But what we had was too special to ignore. For once in my life, I was just going to wait and see, let things play out without trying to plan and control everything to a T. It was risky, but I had a feeling that it would be worth it, because something magical had happened when we came together—something I’d never experienced before.

“Time to go home?” I asked when I approached the bench where she waited. Late-day golden sunlight outlined the contours of her face, and I had the overwhelming urge to kiss her. I wondered for a second if Sofia would mind. I didn’t think so, since she was as enamored with her nanny as I was—though in a very different way.

“Let me clean up.” Lily stood and gathered up our containers and bags.

As she tidied the area where we’d eaten, I felt a twitch of warning. Something was off. I tightened my hold on Sofia’s legs and scanned our surroundings. Kids playing, parents watching them, joggers and cyclists going past. Nothing out of the ordinary. Until my eyes fell on a man standing on the edge of the parking lot. Recognition hit me. It was the guy I’d seen at Lily’s apartment building the day I’d helped her move out—the one who hadn’t looked familiar to me.

The man was openly staring at Lily, following her every move as she walked to a nearby trash can and returned. Had they had a relationship? Was that why the man was devouring her with his eyes? I tamped down on the jealous anger I felt and went to my training to guide my reaction.

I looked beyond the man to the parking area. A gray Camry with tinted windows sat parked on the edge of the lot, very likely the same vehicle that had taken the slow drives past my house twice—that I knew of. Had there been other times when I hadn’t been watching? My skin prickled with a warning, and I swung Sofia to the ground, preparing to take action if necessary.

“This can’t be happening,” Lily muttered, her gaze focused on the man, a visible shiver going through her body.

“My truck, now,” I said in a low voice, letting Lily take Sofia. I kept an arm around Lily and sheltered her and my daughter with my body as we hustled to the truck. I stood guard while Lily strapped Sofia in and climbed in herself.

A moment later we were headed out of the parking area. I kept my eyes on the rearview mirror and intentionally turned onto a busy road instead of taking the scenic but isolated way home I usually preferred.

“You know him,” I said quietly after we’d driven a few miles.

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