'No, thanks.'
'You're sure?'
'Nah, I'm fine.'
'Stomach?'
She touched her abdomen and said, just feeling a little woozy.
How long can you stay?'
'In and out,' he said. 'Got a twelve o'clock class, then meetings for the rest of the day probably dumb to drive all the way over, but I missed you guys.'
Cindy smiled.
Chip kissed her, then Cassie.
Cindy said, 'Daddy can't stay, Cass. Bummer, huh?'
'Dali-dee.'
Chip gave Cassie's chin a gentle tweak. She continued playing with his beard. 'I'll try to kick by later this evening. Stay as long as you need me.'
'Great,' said Cindy.
'Dali-d'e.'
'Dali-dee,' said Chip. 'Dali-dee love you. You cute.' To Cindy: 'Not a good idea at all, coming for two minutes. Now I'm really gonna miss you.'
'We miss you too, Daddy.'
'I was in the neighborhood,' he said. 'So to speak-this side of the hill, at least.'
'The U?'
'Yup. Library duty.' He turned to me: 'I teach over at West Valley C.C. New campus, not much in terms of reference resources.
So when I have some serious research to do, I go over to the university.'
'My alma mater,' I said.
'That so? I went to school back east.' He tickled Cassie's belly.
'Get any sleep at all, Cin?'
'Plenty.'
'Sure?'
'Uh-huh.'
'Want' some herb tea? I think I've got some chamomile in the car.'
'No, thanks, lion. Dr. Delaware has some techniques to help Cassie deal with the p-a-in.'
Chip looked at me while stroking Cassie's arm. 'That would be terrific.
This has been an incredible ordeal.' His eyes were slate-blue with a slight droop, very deep-set.
'I know it has,' I said.
Chip and Cindy looked at each other, then at me.
