Page 64 of Second Round

The three-hour time difference was hitting Charlotte; she began to nod off, slumped against herfather.

“Maybe it’s time to get Charlotte off to bed,” Isuggested.

Leo nodded. “Yes. I’ll take you guys back to your hotel and pick upCharlotte’sbags.”

“What about Jackie?” Wes asked, as we rose from thetable.

“I have my own car,”Isaid.

Leo carried Charlotte out, with Wes right behind him. Sophie and I were the last ones out, and I put a hand onherarm.

“Sophie, I’m sure it must be stressful for you to have to leave your daughter for so long. I know I’d be going crazy. But please don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her, and I’m here if Leoneedshelp.”

Her blue eyes fixed upon me. “He will need help. Did he tell you he has never once looked after her by himself? I almost changed my mind when I found out that he would not be in Montréal for thesummer.”

“Leo adores Charlotte. He has been planning for her visit for months. He wants everything to goperfectly.”

Sophie laughed harshly. “But things never go perfectly when it comes to children. All womenknowthat.”

I nodded. “I can’t disagree. But that’s what back-up plansarefor.”

“Bien sûr. Leo always has back-up plans.” She stared at me hard, like she was trying to read my mind. “Good thing that he’s dating someone who is a mother. Thank you for your concern, Jackie. I am trusting my greatest treasure to you. Be goodtoher.”

“Iwillbe.”

It wasn’t a hard promise to make. Charlotte’s shy sweetness made me want to know her better. But I could see that it would have to be on the little girl’s own terms. We had all of July to get to know each otherbetter.

23

Daddy’sGirl

Leo

ItookSophie and Wes to their hotel and picked up Charlotte’s suitcase. Actually, two largesuitcases.

“A lot of stuff for a little girl,” I commented as Wes put them in thetrunk.

“She’ll be here for a month,” said Sophie. “Come here and give me a hug,darling.”

Charlotte gave her mom a drowsy hug and began to cry. “Maman, maman,” she wailed over and over. She was exhausted andoverwrought.

Sophie began to cry too. She held Charlotte and stroked her head. “Don’t worry,ma cherie. I’ll be back soon. And you’ll bewithPapa.”

Finally Charlotte’s sobs turned to hiccups. I whisked her into the car and drove off. In the rearview mirror I couldn’t tell if she was sleeping or staring, but she didn’t say a word all the way home. But once we walked into my place, she was wide awake and curious. I took her on a tour, and she loved hernewroom.

“Oh Papa, purple walls! Purple is my favouritecolour.”

“I know that. This room was decorated justforyou.”

I hesitated to mention that Jackie had painted the walls because I didn’t want to be shoving my new girlfriend down her throat. Charlotte hadn’t liked many of the women I’ddated.

“Good thingyoudidn’t choose the paint colour,” she said with a cheeky grin. I tickled her side, and she squirmed away. She continued her exploration of hernewroom.

“Look! Cat paintings!” She started hopping up and down to see them better, so I picked her up and moved her closer. “Oh, so cute. Are these mine? Can I takethemhome?”

“This is yourhometoo.”

“Yeah. I forgot.” Her shoulders drooped a little. She knew that she wouldn’t be spending that much time here, it was toofaraway.

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