Page 8 of Big Deal Sweetheart

Her phone rang from inside her bag, the familiar tone most thought silly, but she loved the Adams Family. “Hi, Nana. How’s the injured patient?”

“I’m good, dear. I hear you got an invite to eat at Stacks. I don’t want to hear you say you’re not going, because I’ll be mighty disappointed. I’ll have you know I already have my heart set on calorie overload. Plus, I might’ve called and placed an order to go for you to bring me when you finish.”

As far as manipulations went, her Nana was clearly superior at the game. “I can always pick yours up and get myself some and bring it home to eat with you,” she suggested.

“Nope, you have a meal with that fine young man I’ve heard about. After you finish you can bring mine home with you. I’ll be ready for my evening meds and can eat maple pancakes before going to bed. See, I have it all planned. Now don’t argue with your elders.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, thinking of her Nana acting like she was a little old lady. When in fact, the woman made sure everyone knew she was as spritely as women half her age. The injured leg aside, her Nana could run circles around most everyone. “Fine, but you best be resting that leg still.”

“I’ll see you in a couple hours, Nova Leigh. Have fun and don’t rush home on my account. I have snacks and drinks here. I also set the alarm at the salon so no worries there either. See you when you get here.”

Her Nana hung up before she could say anything else, which if she were honest, she didn’t know what she’d have said. She was nervous to face Keifer, and she didn’t know why. Admitting to herself that she was reluctant made her stop on the sidewalk outside of Stacks. “I have no reason to be nervous. He and his daughter will be heading back to wherever they’re from, and then I’ll never see them again.” The thought didn’t give her the relief she’d thought, which was absolutely absurd.

She pulled the door open with more force than it warranted, making the girl at the counter look up at her with alarm. Nova pushed the hat off as she entered the restaurant with the heavenly scent of yummy goodness. At the very least, she’d get a great meal and so would her Nana, which she’d be paying for, not Keifer.

Chapter Three

His daughter’s hairstill shocked the hell out of him when he looked over at her, but he had to admit, it did look good on her. Well, the cut was great. It was the color blue he wasn’t sold on, yet. Seeing how much she loved it though, made him rethink his likes and dislikes in color choice, and made him rethink his words. His mother was a little on the wild side and would tell him to let the girl live a little since it was only hair.

“What’s put that grin on your face?” Delilah asked.

He decided to be honest. “I was thinking about what my mother would say about your hair.” Keifer reached over, tugging on a blue lock.

Delilah tucked her head, her chin touching her chest. He saw the way her eyes swam with unshed tears. “Hey, peanut. I’m sorry I was an ogre earlier about...well, everything. I know I promised no working on this trip and I broke that on the second day. Honestly, Dee, your mom would’ve loved your hair. I was thinking she’d have gotten that same blue in her hair.”

His daughter’s face lifted; a smile flirted at the corners of her lips. “You really think she would’ve?”

He tugged on another lock of the blue tresses. “Oh yeah, she would’ve done this section on her hair, then come waltzing in the door singing. She’d have dared me to say a cross word about her style choice, but I wouldn’t have because it would’ve looked every bit as gorgeous on her as it does on you. I’m sorry for being a jerk. It was just a shock that you did something like that without telling me.” He didn’t say that he hated the thought of her growing up. She would always be his little girl even when she was grown and having babies of her own. Hell no. That wasn’t a prospect he was even comfortable thinking about.

“I’m sorry I was a brat and went against you and did something drastic. If it’s any consolation, I had gone in and demanded she dye it black and chop it all off, but Nova talked me out of it. Thank the lord,” Delilah muttered.

There was no way he could miss Nova’s presence when she entered the restaurant. He and Delilah had found a table in the corner, but they’d decided to give Nova a little bit longer before placing their order. He didn’t say anything to Delilah’s admission since they’d already gone over that earlier at the salon.

He stood so Nova could see them over the crowded restaurant. Who’d have thought a pancake place would be so busy at six in the evening?

“Hey, you two, sorry I’m late.” Nova smiled down at Delilah then up at him.

---