I swept away the salty drops. “Sorry, it’s lovely.”
“But?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“It’s something.” He stroked my damp cheek with his thumb. “Please, tell me.”
“It’s stupid,” I mumbled, “but you made this for her last night. Here.”
“Her? You mean Lianne, right?”
I nodded, sniffling.
“A woman has to be extra special for me to cook them dinner in my home, and only a complete rock star gets to meet my daughter. That’s you, Mare.”
“Only me?”
“This is everything I bought at the market yesterday. I’m a stupid fool, desperate to make up for acting like a complete idiot over you seeing Sari in Vancouver. It’s a belated thank you for taking such good care of my daughter that day.”
Now I felt like a stupid fool for making a big deal over a steak and a few shrimp. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be dramatic or seem ungrateful for all the hard work you put into this. It’s not my place to comment on who visits your home.”
Our gazes locked, Jake’s fingers trailing along my jaw in a slow and tender arc. “I don’t bring women here, ever.”
Bang.
Instantly, Jake was on his feet, rescuing the hard plastic cup from Sari’s grasp and placing it out of reach. “None of that,” he said. “We don’t bang cups on the table. How about eating your dinner?” Pushing the plate closer to his daughter, he scooped a bit of roasted potato into her mouth.
The next bite Sari helped herself, cramming a tiny piece of steak in with her fingers.
Jake picked up his cutlery, slicing into his steak, observing me as I worked the seafood and veggies free of the skewer. “I’m glad you came,” he said. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“Me either.” I wrinkled my nose, then ducked my head, doing my best to avoid the photo of the happy couple on their wedding day. The woman who was now buried, but clearly not forgotten. Having this small insight into his world made my concerns valid. He’d removed his wedding ring, but he was far from ready to move on.
Once we’d finished our meal, Jake freed the girl from her chair and opened the toy box. “Okay, Starfish, be good while Daddy does dishes.”
Sari crowed, clapping her hands before pulling out a yellow plastic truck. She pushed it toward the easel, stopping to load the markers into the back.
“Can I help?” I asked as Jake stacked our plates with the cutlery on top.
“I’m good.” He hurried into the kitchen, leaving me stranded in this domestic hinterland.
I perched on the edge of the sofa, still avoiding the smiling dead-wife images and feminine touches imported from their home. The sharp, cutting edge of reality. Did I belong in Jake’s life?
Anything for Dara, the friend who’d step in front of a bus for me. I counted myself fortunate to have such people in my life. Anyway, this was a formality. A peace offering from Jake to make our future interactions easier. One I needed to accept. I closed my eyes, repeating the mantra, over and over.
“Five minute warning.”
“What?” I stared wide-eyed at Jake.
He chuckled and kneeled in front of Sari, repeating his words, accompanied by signs. “Bedtime,” he said. “Time to clean up.”
“That’s my cue to head home.”
“I’ll only be a few minutes.” He handed his daughter another toy and pointed to the wooden box. “Maybe … Sari,” he said, “can Mar help with pyjamas tonight?”
The little girl nodded, then toddled toward me, holding out her hands. And just like that, I was caught, contentment working up from my belly as she wound her arms around my neck.
“First door on the right. The starfish pj’s in the top drawer are her favourites, naturally.” Jake’s light tone had me grinning as I carried Sari down the hall.
I admired the coral reef with the colourful sea creatures playing against soothing blue walls. Laying Sari on the change table, I inspected the neat stacks, one of diapers, one of pull-ups, keeping a hand on her belly. “Diaper? Pull-up?”
“Diaper for nighttime,” Jake said as he opened the dresser’s top drawer, “otherwise I end up changing sheets in the middle of the night.”
“This is a great room. Ocean themed, what a shocker.”
“That was Dara, the decorating miracle worker. This place is a bit of a fixer upper, but I set her loose, and she turned it into a home.”
“Dara decorated the house?” I wrangled the squirming Sari into her pajamas.
“Yeah, aside from Sari’s furniture, not much else made the cut,” he said in a low voice. “It seemed best to leave all that behind.”
Tucking Sari against my hip, I turned to Jake, “I’m sorry you lost your home.”
Jake shrugged. “It was just a house. Probably would have sold it anyway.” He held out his arms. “Let’s brush those teeth.” Taking her from me, he carried her into the bathroom across the hall. His low voice and Sari’s giggles carried to me as I contemplated the new information.
Somehow, I refused to believe Dara had approved any of those pictures in the living room. Not based on how she’d reacted to him wearing his ring. Not that it mattered. He wasn’t ready to move on.
I moved to the low bookcase in the corner, running my finger over the spines of the books, examining a few of the titles. One of the slim volumes caught my eye. “I can’t believe you have The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” I said as Jake returned with Sari. “It was one of my favourites.”
“She loves it almost as much as she loves her dinosaurs.” He hugged his daughter, then handed her to me. “Time to say goodnight.”
“Sleep tight, little starfish.” I embrace her and kissed her rosy cheek, practically melting inside.
One thing for sure, Jake was an amazing father. This glimpse into his life proved why Dean and Dara had chosen him for a major role in their child’s life. I hoped I could do even half as well in fulfilling my role as honorary auntie.
Jake eased the door closed on
