Page 48 of Blame It On Midnight

He grabbed a colorful platter from the cupboard and filled the bowl part with nachos, then spooned a cheese and salsa concoction into the smaller section.

“Can I help?”

“I’m good. Grilling up some steaks and potatoes. If you could bring the nachos out back, and grab Nora, I’ll get everything ready to go and get the barbecue fired up.”

It didn’t take long for Benton to get the potatoes washed and scrubbed. He cut sections and stuffed them with onions and garlic and butter, then salted and peppered them before wrapping them up in tin foil. He’d been marinating the steaks since morning, so they were good to go. When he joined the girls out back, he found Nora curled up on one of the chairs, cuddling the small orange and white kitten, while Collins sat a few feet away.

She looked…right. Like she belonged on his back porch.

Once he had the potatoes on the grill, he came over, ruffled his daughter’s hair.

“I’m going to show Hero his litter box,” Nora said, carefully holding the furball against her chest as she slid from the chair. She took two steps. “Can I have a soda?”

“You had one at lunch.”

“I know.”

She pulled out the smile he had a hard time saying no to, and Benton gave up without a fuss. What was the point? “You can have one of the small cans in the compartment on the bottom.”

“Thanks!”

“But you can only drink half of it before dinner.”

“The fuzz will go away.”

“It will keep until after you eat.”

“She’s got her daddy wrapped around her little finger.”

Collins wasn’t wrong. Benton grabbed his wine glass and took a sip before settling into the spot recently vacated by his daughter. “Don’t all little girls?”

Her smile faded a bit. “Not all dads are created equal. Mine wasn’t around much. We had a place on Cape Cod and an apartment in New York, but he was always in DC.” She stared at the crystal in her hands. “Most of my memories of my father are him showing up with presents, then disappearing before anyone had a chance to open them. My mom always had an excuse ready, and she seemed okay with it, so I learned not to overthink and accept what was. I mean, if she didn’t care, why should I?” She looked up. “What about you? What were your parents like?”

He considered his answer and how much to share. Then decided to keep things simple. To the point. “They were great together, and things were good until she got sick. She died when I was a teenager, and dad did his best, but he wasn’t always present either.”

“I’m sorry.”

He gave a small nod. Even after all this time, it wasn’t something he liked to dwell on. “For a while, the Bridgestones were scattered, but they’ve all managed to find their way home.” For the most part, he supposed. “Dad had his struggles, but he’s done the work. Lives up at the Founders Cabin and even has a girlfriend.”

“That’s wonderful.”

He nodded. “It took some, but we’ve all made peace and he’s doing okay.”

She settled back in her chair. “The potatoes smell delicious. I like a man who knows how to cook.”

Benton laughed at that. “I know how to grill steaks, and I make a mean potato. I do breakfast like a champ, can get a beef stew together in no time, but that’s about it.”

“Do you like Chinese food?”

“No.”

“Indian?”

He took a sip of wine. “Like curry?”

She nodded.

“No.”

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