Page 59 of The Single Dad Project

Leo heaved a loud, exaggerated sigh, throwing her hands in the air. “I told you not to tell me.” Grinning, her sister hunkered down, putting herself on eye level with Jussy. “But of course, you’re Jussy. Flo told me all about you, and I’d recognize you anywhere.” Offering the little girl her hand, she said, “Hi, Jussy, I’m Leo, Flo’s sister.”

“Hi!” She loosened her grip on Flo’s hand and took Leo’s. “You’re pretty.”

“Thank you, sweetie. So are you.” Rising, Leo arched an eyebrow at Flo. “I was going to give you one more day before I came looking for you,” she murmured. “How’re you doing?”

Flo didn’t need to ask to what her sister referred. Guilt sidled through her, leaving a grimy path in its wake. Since Noah’s arrival several days ago, she’d avoided all calls from her family, not ready to talk about their uncle and her stepfather’s sudden appearance. She still wasn’t. But cutting off her family was like amputating a limb, and the phantom ache of it, even for just a few days, throbbed.

“I figured,” Flo quietly said with a nod. “That’s part of the reason I came for a visit while I had some time in between the Hudson project and the studio.”

“If you hadn’t shown up for Saturday dinner, Moe would’ve driven to your apartment and raised he—” a quick glance down at Justine “—Hades herself. And I would’ve ridden shotgun. No one keeps you from family. Not even you.”

Again, Flo nodded, a rueful smile twisting her lips even as her sister’s fierceness and love wrapped around her like a warm blanket on a cold, bitter night.

“I figured that, too.” Sighing, she rubbed a palm down the front of her jeans. “I wanted Jussy to meet Mom and Dad. Where are they?” she asked, switching the subject.

“Mom’s back in the kitchen, getting ready to prepare dinner. And Dad went into town—with Uncle Noah.” Leo cocked her head, her eyes softening as she added, “So the coast is clear. But it won’t be forever, Flo.”

“Thanks.” Flo hitched her chin in the direction of the hall that led to the kitchen. “Would you mind taking Jussy to meet Moe? I’m going to grab my old camera from my room and be right down.”

She’d promised Justine she’d loan her an old digital camera since she’d really taken to photography. The Nikon D7000 had been her first camera and was outdated but still in good condition.

“Of course I wouldn’t mind.” Leo edged closer, lowering her voice to a pitch that didn’t reach Justine. “Dad still an asshole?”

“No.” Flo shook her head, smirking. “His a-hole status has been temporarily revoked. But he’s still on probation just in case he decides to act up.”

“Duly noted.” Leo shifted her attention back to Justine, grinning wide. “Want to meet our mom and get a cup of hot chocolate?”

“Oh yes,” Justine agreed, bouncing up and down. “Hot chocolate is yummy!”

“And our mom’s is the best,” Flo said. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

“Okay, Flo.”

She grabbed Leo’s hand again and allowed Flo’s sister to lead her down the hall. Flo watched them for another moment then turned around and climbed the stairs. About ten minutes later she bounded back down, the camera and its small insulated bag in hand. She could practically hear Justine’s squeal of happiness, see her wide grin. She was going to love having her own “grown-up” camera.

The front door opened, and her dad stepped inside. Noah stood behind him.

Flo froze on the third step from the bottom.

Her pulse thudded in her ears, her heart a mad drummer using her ribs as its kit.

Say something. Do something. She tried to obey that voice inside her head, but she couldn’t move. Shock reverberated through her, and it was a wonder she didn’t shake with it.

Silly that betrayal tightened her belly. Silly that a bone-deep hurt rattled within her at the sight of her dad with Noah. After all, he’d been Noah’s brother longer than he’d been her father. Of course, he would be happy to see him again. To have him home again. His joy in Noah’s reappearance didn’t mean a deficit in his love for her.

She really did believe that. At least in her head. But her heart... Her heart railed at her father tochoose her,pick her, first. God, couldn’t that be the motto of her life?

“Flo.” Her father smiled, and it reflected in the same blue-gray eyes he shared with his brother. “Hey, sweetheart. I didn’t know you were stopping by today.”

“Yeah, I came by to pick this up—” she silently ordered her arm to lift and show him the camera, but it wasn’t obeying her command “—for a new friend of mine and bring her by to meet Moe.”

His smile dimmed just a bit, and she couldn’t miss the glint of sadness that crept into his gaze.

“Well, whatever brought you here, I’m just glad to see you. How’re you doing?” he gently asked.

She glanced at Noah, who remained silent, his scrutiny not moving from her. It was amazing how much Noah and her dad resembled each other. They both shared the big, powerful build her father had bequeathed to Wolf, and Ian stood only a couple inches taller than Noah. But with their strong facial features, identical eyes and frames, they wouldn’t be mistaken for anything but family.

“Fine, Dad. Good.”

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