Page 42 of Sawyer
CHAPTER 14
Her Daddy’s truck had a classic bench seat. An honest-to-goodness, slide right up next to him, bench seat. She didn’t even know they still made those.
To be honest, she hadn’t cared until now. Now she was very, very grateful because a bench seat meant she could snuggle up against him for the entire drive to his office. She hoped he worked in Alaska or someplace that would take a while to get to.
The ride itself had been fun. So much to look at, so much to ask about, so much to file away for later. But right now, her brain was fixated on one thing. How long had his company been holding office meetings at a bar calledDeep Dive?
Didn’t exactly scream strategic planning. She had questions. She didn’t want to sound judgy though, since her office meetings were held in a bar every week. Of course, she worked in a bar. She’d thought her Daddy was a data analyst, but now it occurred to her he’d never actually said that. So, again. She had questions. Non-judgy, getting to know one another question. Maybe she should wait.
“Has your company always had meetingsin a bar?” Sigh. Waiting wasn’t one of her core strengths. Or phraseology, evidently. Her jaw clenched, bracing for some big reaction.
“What?” Saul’s brow knit, like her question had been in another language. He stared at the building as though it had just sprung up on the side of the road. “Oh. The office is on the second floor. Usually, it’s not a problem. The bar’s quiet until we’re done for the day.”
She still thought it was weird, but maybe the rent was cheaper here.
When he cut the ignition, she waited, because last time she’d learned her lesson about trying to get out on her own. Soon enough, he came around, freed her seatbelt, and offered a hand.
He didn’t let go as they walked through the parking lot toward the entrance. “There’s nothing upstairs you’d find exciting,” he said. “But I think you’ll like the bar. It’s not a Videotopia, but it has arcade games, pool tables, and a juke box. I shouldn’t be too long. Remind me, Half-Pint, what are your rules?”
“Don’t interrupt the meeting unless I’ve chopped my hand off. And don’t open the door for strangers.”
“Good girl. I know the manager of the bar. His name is Hutch, and I’m sure he won’t mind if you grab a drink or a snack.”
Wow. He must be on reallygood terms with the bar owner. Then again, she could picture Saul being on good terms with just about everyone in town.
The crunch of tires on gravel had them both turning to see who else was pulling in the parking lot. Lele wasn't sure who the man was, but the woman was Georgia. Lele couldn’t hold back a smile. She liked Georgia.
As soon as Georgia got out of the truck, she raced toward Lele and gave her a big hug. Lele froze. People didn’t hug her. Most times, they didn’t even want to walk on the same side of the street as her.
Awkwardly, she put her arms around Georgia and returned thefavor. If Georgia noticed, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she hooked her arm through Lele’s and started walking with her into Deep Dive.
“We are going to have the best time while we wait. I’ve had to sit in on Daddy’s meetings before, and they are boring with a capital B.”
Lele stopped. “Oh, I didn’t know our Daddies worked together.”
Georgia froze. Eyes wide, her eyes shot to Hutch, who was evidently her Daddy. “Oh… well…”
“We do,” Hutch said, putting his arm around Georgia and pulling her to him. The smile he gave his Little girl was almost as sweet as the ones Lele got from hers. Almost. “We’ve been working together for a while now.”
He moved to Lele's side. “Are you going to be a good girl while I’m in my meeting?”
She smiled. “I’ll do my best.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I saw the way you drooled when we drove by That’s Italian. We can go eat spaghetti and meatballs once I’m done here, but only if you follow all your rules.”
Lele gasped, "Daddy! I did not drool!" Yeah, she probably had. That place looked amazing.
She'd be as good as gold to eat there. Especially since she planned on being good anyway. But not only for spaghetti. She’d get more kisses from her Daddy if she were good, and those were something she craved more than anything else.
“We’ll be good,” Georgia promised. “Aren’t we always?”
Hutch seemed about to say something but then changed his mind. Shaking his head, he said, “Just don’t head out for the Himalayas before I get back down here.”
“I would never do something like that, Daddy,” she sang back, the picture of innocence and grace.
But Lele stood behind her new friend. Therefore, she could see Georgia had her fingers crossed.
“I gotta pee,”Georgia said. “Don’t make any moves until I get back. I need to know how to get through the next maze.”
