Page 36 of Sheltering Lily

“Really?” Lily responded with exaggerated surprise.

“What’d she say?” I asked.

Lily and Sofia exchanged a glance. “That’s a secret between us girls. Say bye-bye to Daddy. We’ll see him again later today.” Lily passed Sofia to me, and my daughter embraced me, planting a smacking kiss on my face.

“I’ll see you both soon.” I put my other arm around Lily, holding both of them for a moment and fighting the temptation to stay with them. But I wanted to stick to the plan I’d carefully devised and executed over the past week.

Lily

“Let me see,” Sofia said as soon as Colin’s truck was gone from sight.

Pleased that she had kept the secret, I pulled the piece of pottery I’d crafted for Colin from my bag. It was a carefully rendered ace of hearts on one side. On the reverse, the pattern replicated one of the decks of cards that Colin held so dear. I had started it a few weeks earlier, and at one point I’d thought it might be my parting gift to Colin. Now I knew it would be something else.

“Will your daddy like it?” I asked.

Sofia nodded and gingerly touched both sides before smiling up at me. I slipped it back in the bag, waiting for the perfect opportunity to give it to him. Maybe that night; maybe I’d wait for an even more special occasion.

During the afternoon, I chatted with Mandy while the kids played and napped. Mandy didn’t mention anything about fancy dresses until five o’clock, when she made a show of checking her watch.

“You and Sofia have one hour to get ready,” she announced. “Go have a look in the spare bedroom.”

Taking Sofia by the hand, I climbed the stairs and went to the front room. On the bed, two dresses were laid out. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but it wasn’t this. Mine was a true formal, the kind of dress I might wear to a fancy New Year’s Eve party. Sofia’s was petal pink with white roses embroidered on the bodice. The skirt had layers of ruffles going to the floor.

Sofia squealed in delight and rushed to touch the fancy dress. Next to it was a pink headband and white patent leather shoes with a little matching purse.

“I think she likes it,” Mandy commented from the doorway. “What do you think of yours?”

Stunning was what I thought. It was jade green with a sequined halter-style bodice and a column skirt that went to the floor. The skirt might have been plain but for a cascade of ruffles that went down one side, adding a little sassiness and elegance. I loved it.

“Beautiful,” I said, picking the gown up to find a pair of black sling-back heels and a jewelry box from Carolyn’s store, All That Sparkles.

“Go on and open it,” Mandy said.

I lifted the lid. Inside, I found a silver cuff bracelet in a delicate vine pattern. “Oh my,” I breathed. Like the dress, it was perfect for me. I lowered the box so Sofia could see the bracelet. The girl ran her little finger carefully around the circle.

“Carolyn made sure to tell me that Colin picked it out himself. Just so you know,” Mandy commented. “I’ll get Sofia ready while you do yourself up. Your ride comes in one hour.”

Our ride, huh?

I sank onto the plush seat of the black limo. This was more than a ride, this was luxury. Colin was spoiling me and Sofia. The girl was next to me, safely buckled into a car seat for the drive and wide-eyed at the interior of the car.

“Pretty fancy,” I commented, smoothing the material of Sofia’s skirt. “What do you think we’ll find next?” I asked aloud, not expecting Sofia to answer. We were both stunned by Colin’s attention to detail so far.

The ride didn’t take long, but I couldn’t see where we were through the tinted windows until the driver opened the door. I expected a fancy restaurant, one that allowed toddlers—if such a place existed. That’s not what I saw as I stepped from the limo. A brick path lined with candles in glass jars led past trees and shrubs decorated with sparkling white lights.

“You’re to follow the path,” the driver said once Sofia was out of the car and standing next to me. “Just around the curve there.”

“Are you ready?” I asked Sofia as the car rolled away. I took Sofia’s hand and we did as instructed. Along the way, we stopped to smell a rose bush and admire the lights. As promised, around the curve in the path we found our destination: a wooden platform decorated with pots of fragrant flowers and flickering candles. There was a table for three, including a high chair, set in one corner, and what appeared to be a dance floor. Soft music played.

“Boo-ti-ful!” Sofia announced.

“You’re both beautiful.” Colin stepped out to meet us, wearing a black tuxedo.

“Dada!” Sofia ran to her father, who swung her up in his arms.

“You look like a princess,” he said, making her smile broaden. “Do you like the dress?”

“Uh-huh.” Sofia tugged on his bow tie.

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