Chapter 14

Allison

We got back to the office, and Sierra stole a few hearts on the way up to the office, including Greyson’s. He’d stopped us outside of the elevator in the lobby, and I didn’t miss the looks he was giving David as the guy held onto Sierra’s hand.

Katrina would have been making all sorts of comments, but Greyson wasn’t quite as crazy as she was. Or maybe he knew better than to say anything in front of Sierra.

When we got back to David’s office, Sierra took my phone and settled down on one of the sofas to play a game while the two of us talked and went over the rest of my duties. I caught him staring at me quite a bit, and Sierra, too, but I figured it was because we looked so much alike.

Finally, at the end of the day, he walked me out to the car and helped get Sierra buckled in. “You be ready for Friday, girlie. I’m going to blow those kids’ fathers out of the water.”

He gave her a fist bump, and I rolled my eyes. “Don’t encourage her.”

“You be good for your mama from now on. No more causing problems at school, okay? Or making up stories.”

“Okay, David.” She giggled at him, and as usual, it was the silliest little giggle she could muster, all for him.

“Good deal.” He shut the door and walked me around to my door.

“Thanks again,” I said. “It’s not many bosses who would take the time to do what you did in the middle of a workday, and before you say it’s nothing, it really meant something to me.”

I’d had a hard time with my own temper lately, and being verbally abused made me more aware of the way I talked to others. I wanted to say and do what he had, but I was always afraid of being too confrontational. I didn’t need anyone to think Sierra had a crazy mother.

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.” He stepped up to the door and leaned in a moment as I buckled myself in, and it seemed like he wanted to say or do something, his eyes boring into mine with a look like there was too much weighing on his mind.

“Be safe,” he said as he shut the door.

In the rearview, I noticed him watching me drive away, and it felt good to have someone in our lives who cared so much, even if there wasn’t anything romantic about it.

He’d stepped up and protected me at that school, just like he’d stepped in and brought me to prom all those years ago. He’d known I wanted to go so badly, but since Doug and I had broken up weeks before—because I wouldn’t sleep with him, oddly enough, I didn’t have a date.

On the way to the diner, where I’d decided we’d grab an order for dinner and visit with Katrina, I talked to Sierra about what she’d said at school. I didn’t want her to wish her father was dead, though I had many times, sadly.

“I hope you listen to David and behave, Sierra. You can’t keep telling fibs and upsetting the other kids, and it’s not a nice thing to say about your father.”

“I just thought if I told them that, then they’d feel sorry for me and not make fun of me when he didn’t show up.”

“You shouldn’t want those kids to feel sorry for you, either. There’s nothing wrong with a mommy filling in for a daddy, and your friends are going to see that, Sierra. Not every single kid there has a father in their life.” I couldn’t be the only single mom in the entire school. Not with today’s statistics.

“Well, the kids at my table said their dads are coming and that they make a lot of money, too.”

“It’s not polite to talk about how much money you have or haven’t got. Money talk is for grownups.” I knew better than to tell her that David made more money than any of those kids’ fathers, but it was the truth.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m glad David’s coming. I think he’s nice. Don’t you, Mama?”

“Yes.” And handsome and sexy and everything else good in the world. He was a good man, and I wished I hadn’t let him get away.

I pulled into the diner and found a place to park.

“Can I have waffles for dinner?” Sierra asked.

“You know I’d rather you eat something else. How about a grilled sandwich and some soup, and we can share a slice of pie for dessert?”

“Okay, but you eat the crust.”

“It’s a deal.” I got out and helped her out of her buckle, and then I held her hand as we went inside. Katrina spotted us immediately, and we took a small booth near the side window.

“You’re a fine one to show up.” She winked at Sierra. “I’ve decided you have to come back to work here with me.”

I smiled. “It’s been one day.”

“You’re the only person who gossips with me across the room. Apparently, other people frown on their business being broadcast to other people.”

“You don’t say?” I laughed.

“Yeah, and the new girl’s gossip isn’t as family-friendly as yours. Too much drama. We were a great team, you and me.”

“It’s the end of an era.”

“How was the first day of work, and why do you have the little rug rat in here so early?” She gave Sierra a coloring page and some crayons she kept in her apron.

“She told everyone her father was dead and scared the other children. I had to go down there again.”

“Why didn’t the teacher tell her to knock it off and send a note home?” Katrina asked.

“Because the other kids are babies,” Sierra said. She had opened up the coloring page and began coloring in a puppy’s ear.

“That’s enough,” I said. “What did we talk about?” I gave her a scolding look and turned back to Katrina. “Pretty much what she said.”

“I hope you let that woman have it.”

“As it turns out, I didn’t have to. David was with me, and he put her in her place.”

“It was awesome. And he’s going to be my daddy on Friday.” She waggled her brows and then looked back at her coloring sheet.

Katrina got a stupid grin on her face. “You two tying the knot?”

“He’s not going to be your daddy.” I let out a sound of frustration. “He’s going to fill in for Doug at the Career Day event.”

“What a keeper.”

I nodded. “I know, right? He’s always done stuff like that. He’s always protecting me, and now, he’s helping Sierra out.”

“So, how was work? Did you get anything done?”

“Yeah.” I gave her a sidelong look. “It’s the strangest thing, but he didn’t even have an office for me. I’m currently using his sitting area, and he’s going to buy me a computer that I can take home when needed, which is great. But for now, I’ll just be working beside his office.”

“I can’t help but think he intended that.” She smiled. “He wanted to have you close.”

“Well, he did say it’s a new position. And there’s plenty to do. He’s not very organized, and I’m going to be a busy girl once I really get started.”

“That’s always good. You’re better on your toes. Who knew this place was going to pay off for your next adventure?”

“Mama thinks David’s nice, don’t you, Mama?”

“I think your mama thinks he’s very nice.” Katrina waggled her brows at Sierra.

“Don’t encourage her.”

“Why not? It’s true.” She leaned over the table closer to Sierra. “I bet she thinks he’s handsome, too.”

Sierra’s eyes lit up. “Oh, he is. He has the very same color eyes like me, and he likes to smile at Mama, too.” She let loose a giggle that had the man behind us looking.

“The same color, huh?” Katrina asked. “You don’t say?”

“Okay, lady, you need to get back to work,” I said. “We’ll have two BLTs and the potato soup, two root beers, and we’re splitting a slice of apple pie for dessert.”

“Two predictable orders coming right up.” She leaned over and whispered to Sierra. “I’ll kick the pie up a notch with a scoop of vanilla.” Then she rushed to the back before I could protest.

“I like Aunt Kat. And I think she’s right about you.”

“Right about what?” This I had to hear. I reached over and took a crayon, and she slid her picture closer so we could share.

“That you like David and think he’s handsome.”

“I’ve known him a long time, honey. Since before I was your age. He lived just across the street, remember?”

“Did you like him, then?”

“We were friends, but yes, I liked him.”

“I like him too, and I’m glad you do. Cause I want him to be with us.”

“He’ll come around I’m sure. He’s going to Career Day, and I work for him now.” It still felt like a dream that I wasn’t waiting tables, and it was nice to be a customer and not an employee for a change.

Sierra went back to coloring which was a relief. I didn’t know if letting her get too close to him was going to be healthy, and I hoped neither of us would be hurt in the end. I had to be careful about her getting too attached to him, no matter how much they got along. Her heart was on the line as much as my own.