“I have a cell phone, you have the number. Maybe we should discuss expectations. I thought you’d be here. When you weren’t, I got worried.”
“I’m sorry. We were fine, weren’t we, Penny?”
The little girl nodded and smiled at her father. “I went high on the swing.”
“Good for you. What else did you do at the park?”
“Tell your Daddy all we did, Penny. I’m going to change and then start dinner.”
Josh listened with half an ear to Penny’s excited chatter as he watched Michelle take the stairs to the second story. He hadn’t only been worried about Penny, but about Michelle as well. Which didn’t make sense. She’d been right on Saturday, they hardly knew each other.
So why did the thought of her in any trouble bring out all the protective instincts he possessed?
Chapter Six
Michelle changed, feeling odd. It’d been a long time since anyone had worried about where she was. There was obviously more to this marriage than she originally anticipated. But it felt nice. At first she thought Josh had been concerned solely about Penny. Not so. He’d been worried about her as well.
When she went to the kitchen, she saw the two of them in the backyard again. The weather had cooled and it probably felt good to play outside. And Penny sure had enough energy for it. If Josh could run some of that excess energy off, the child would sleep well tonight.
As Michelle prepared a light supper, she tried not to dwell on the kiss Josh had given her when she arrived home. But it was impossible. It had been quick. Over almost before it registered. She wondered what it meant.
Probably relief from the worry that he’d experienced when they hadn’t arrived when expected.
Or had there been more in it?
When dinner was ready, she went to the door that led to the yard. For a second she watched Josh and Penny play. Michelle longed to run out and join them, but they looked so in tune with each other she felt like an outsider. Would they want her to join them?
“Dinner’s ready,” she called.
Josh looked up and waved, scooping up his daughter and jogging toward Michelle.
“We’re starving, right Penny?”
The little girl laughed as she clung to her father and nodded. “Starving!”
“Well then it’s a good thing I made lots of dinner, isn’t it?” Michelle said as they swept past her and headed to the downstairs bathroom to wash up.
For the first time in years, Michelle felt she was part of a family as the three of them sat at the table to eat. Penny told her father all about her first day at the day care and then about their adventure in the park. Josh asked lots of questions and paid close attention to every word.
His gaze met Michelle’s on more than one occasion. He’d smile and wink, as if they had a special code. She hadn’t enjoyed a meal so much since she’d been a little girl having supper with just her two sisters.
“I’ve brought a ton of work home. The records and billing are a mess. After Penny’s in bed, I’ll take you up on your offer of some help, if you’re not too tired,” he said as they finished eating.
Michelle nodded, feeling even more included. “That’s fine, I don’t feel tired at all.”
Full of energy and excited described how she felt.
Michelle loved organizing things. She’d already rearranged a few items in the kitchen to make it more efficient. While Josh was bathing Penny, she plunged into the stack of papers he'd shown her. Everything was mixed up and she had to skim each sheet to get an idea of what it was. But soon she had several distinct piles of reports, invoices, correspondence and legal papers.
“Michelle?” Josh called from upstairs.
“Yes?”
“Can you come tell Penny good-night?”
Jumping up, she hurried to the stairs, a warm glow beginning to spread through her. She’d told Penny good-night when she went up for her bath, but to be requested to come when she was tucked in bed was different.
She entered Penny’s room and smiled at the little girl all tucked up in her bed.
“Good night, sweetie. I hope you sleep well.”
“Kissy?” Penny said, holding up her arms.
Michelle’s heart melted. She crossed the room and drew the child close, relishing her fresh scent, the soft sweetness she cuddled in her arms. Kissing her cheek she laid her back down and tucked her teddy bear near her.
“Tomorrow we’ll go to day care again. I’m glad you liked it.”
“And have eggs for breakfast?”
“Sure, eggs for breakfast. Nighty-night.”
Josh had already left the room by the time Michelle rose. She switched off the light, but left the door ajar as she went in search of him. Wanting to dance down the hall at the change in Penny’s attitude, she nevertheless maintained a dignified walk. Her grandmother had always believed any bursts of enthusiasm or wild rejoicing were unladylike. And it was hard sometimes to let go of old taboos.
Josh lounged on the sofa with one of the stacks of papers on his lap. He lay down the sheet he’d been reading when Michelle entered.
“All set?”
“I think she’ll be asleep in seconds. That was nice.”
“What?”
“That she wanted me to kiss her good-night.”
He shrugged and picked up the paper again. “She is a bit cautious around strangers, but she’ll warm up to you.”
“She took to Abby immediately,” Michelle said without thinking.
He raised an eyebrow. “Jealous?”
Smiling sheepishly, she nodded. “I guess I am. Dumb, huh?”
His gaze was serious. “I don’t think so. You want her to like you and she’s been difficult. Of course Auntie Abby’s relationship will be different. And Abby has a totally different personality from you.”
“More fun.”
“Certainly more lighthearted. Lighten up a bit, Michelle. You’re too young to be so serious.”
“I’ve always been serious.”
“So kick over the traces and try something different.”
“I’ll take your advice under advisement.”
Josh laughed. “Do as you like. I
