“I think thirty thousand is a lot more realistic figure for me to consider than the hundred thousand it would have cost me to get in, in July.” She ran her finger down the list of core investor names. “Has everyone here already ponied up?”
Ted grinned. “Every mother’s son of them. And daughter. Impressive, right? What do you think?”
She nodded. It looked like a sound business plan. Every name she recognized was a solid citizen. She wrinkled her nose when she read the name John Dempsey, Dwayne’s dad. That helped her make a decision. She didn’t want to have any more dealings with a Dempsey, even on a limited partnership basis.
Marla squinched her face. “You know what? I’m going to pass again, Ted. I really appreciate the fact you wanted to include me, but I’ve got other priorities in my life right now. I’m not sure what I plan to take on next.”
Ted smiled graciously and nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I hope your future plans don’t include leaving the office. You’re a valuable asset.”
“No! I’m staying, and I look forward to drinking champagne at the grand opening of the project when that time comes.”
A huge flower arrangement sat in the shade on her front porch, when she pulled into her driveway. She opened the garage door, drove in, closed the door, and ignored it.
For days, flowers accumulated on her porch. Her house looked like a funeral home. Neighbors gave her strange looks, but she merely waved and smiled as she came and went.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Amber waved and ran to the construction truck. Dwayne pushed open the door and she bounced in. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, squirt. How’s my big second grader doing?”
“I got a A on my math test today.”
He ruffled her hair. “Sweet! That calls for ice cream.”
“Yay!”
He exited the school parking lot and turned toward the edge of town where a new ice cream parlor had opened a few days ago. “Let’s check out the new place, shall we?”
“Uh huh. I hope they have bubble gum flavor. That’s my favorite.”
“No kidding? I didn’t know that.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Yes, you did. You rilly like to tease me.”
“My favorite pastime.” He stopped at a four-way corner.
“Daddy! That’s Marla. That’s her car.”
Amber waved frantically to catch Marla’s attention.
Breath caught in his throat, he willed her to look in their direction as she drove through the intersection, eyes staring straight ahead. But he hadn’t missed the brief glance in their direction. It was a small town. This was bound to happen.
“She didn’t see us.” Amber huffed a frustrated breath and bounced her shoulders against the back of her seat. “I guess the flowers aren’t working then.”
“Don’t seem to be.”
“What’s Plan B?”
“What say we work on it while we stoke up on ice cream?”
Amber crossed her arms and gave him a skeptical look.
He dropped his chin and scowled. “What?”
She pursed her lips like a spinster librarian. “We can work on it at the ice cream store, but you’re wasting time and money.”
“Whoa, look who’s my newest financial advisor. What do you know about money?” She was maturing far too fast for him. How was he going to stay a step ahead of her? He grimaced as a streak of terror hit him. How would he cope with her teen years?
She gave him her best you’re clueless expression. “I can do math. I can read. Flowers cost big money.”
For a moment he sucked air, then slowly shook his head and expressed a small sigh. He turned into the mini-mall where the new ice cream store had opened. The Grand Opening sign fluttered in the early autumn breeze and bunches of balloons tied to weights bounced around the outdoor tables and chairs.
He found a parking space in front of his barbershop two doors down. “Here we are.”
She let herself out of the truck and waited for him at the door. When they went inside and looked at the menu on the wall, he began to read the choices out loud.
“I can read, Daddy.”
He put a big hand on her shoulder. “I know, sorry, but do me a favor. Get some of the snark out of your voice and show some respect for your father, please?”
Amber leaned into his side and nodded. He noticed how tall she was. On the tall side for a seven-year-old. At the beginning of summer she came just past his elbow, now she was almost to the middle of his chest. “I love you, squirt.”
“I know, Daddy, me too.”
“How about you reading the menu to me? I can’t decide which flavor to try, so many to choose from. I’ll close my mouth and listen.” He tugged her tighter to his side.
Amber turned her face up, elbowed him on the hip, then began to recite the long list of flavors which included, of course, Double Delicious Double Bubble. They settled on their choices, carried the cups outside, and sat at one of the wire bistro tables to enjoy their ice cream and the cooling evening.
“You know what we could do, Daddy?” She had a devilish sparkle in her big golden eyes.
“From the look on your face, I’m afraid to ask.” He scooped a big spoonful of Moose Tracks into his mouth and winked.
“Let’s be bad. After we finish this we could pick another flavor, and ice cream will be our dinner tonight. Then if we’re not full we could buy another flavor and take it home for dessert.”
He put on a serious face and enjoyed the flash of disappointment in her gaze. “I think that’s one of the…best ideas you’ve had in a long time.”
Her face lit up. “Rilly?”
“Really, but let’s hope child welfare never finds out or they’ll put you in foster care, and I’ll have to take parenting classes before I can get you back.”
She grinned and wiped a drippy pink smear off her
