Chapter Six

I wanted to tell Daddy in person that he was getting a grandson. I already called Momma and she was beside herself happy. I wouldn’t be surprised if I came home to find every item from Babies“R”Us in the living room. I stopped at a baby boutique near the medical district in Charleston close to Daddy’s office. I bought the cutest little outfits and a shirt for Daddy that read, “Grandpa and Grandson, Best Friends for Life.” Daddy was going to be tickled.

This was all turning out different than I imagined, but I was determined to make it okay. This little boy would be more than loved. I just needed to come up with a name for him. I could name him after Daddy and Grandad, Richard Landry Dixon. But that seemed outdated. I would have to keep thinking about it. Maybe I should Google popular boy names. I did know one name for sure he would never have, and that was Greyson Ellis III. If only Greyson knew I was having a boy, or his mother. She more than anyone wanted that name to live on. It was, after all, her late husband’s. I never met the man. From all accounts, he was wonderful—unlike his son. There I went thinking about him again. I supposed it was natural, but I wanted to forget that my ex-husband ever existed.

I took my purchases and wrapped gift for Daddy and headed his way. I hadn’t been to his office since I’d been home. I’d spent the first month just trying to readjust and deal with the repercussions of my divorce.

I pulled into the parking lot of Dixon Construction and smiled. I loved the vintage red-brick building that looked like a throwback to days gone by, even if it was only five years old. Daddy was so proud when he completed what he called his favorite project. He liked to call it the corporate office. He mostly spent his days in trailers on different construction sites.

My phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my purse, figuring it was Momma again asking me some baby related question. I wasn’t sure why. I had no idea what I was doing yet or exactly what I needed. But it wasn’t Momma.

What’s the verdict?

Verdict? I was confused by Declan’s question and why he was texting me in the middle of the day for no reason. He texted me last night so I would have his info, since Momma volunteered me to help him find a place. I didn’t assume it would go beyond that, unless that’s what he meant by verdict. If he thought I already found a place for him, he was sorely mistaken.

Girl or boy?

Oh. Boy. That was nice of him to ask.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

When can we house hunt? I’m available this week in the evenings and the weekend. Or both.

He was pushing it. Let me check my schedule. Not like I really had one. Except I needed to sign up for some birthing and breastfeeding classes. And I could think up some other stuff. I’m sure Halle was going to want to hang out now that Heather had a date with my doctor. I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. I made a request that I never see him outside the office. And anything regarding my pregnancy never be discussed between the two.

I grabbed the gift for Daddy and headed in. I waved a hello to Danielle, who was on the phone. She had been Daddy’s receptionist since forever. I think she was a grandma now herself. I admired the plank flooring and bricked walls as I walked back. For a construction office, it had charm.

Daddy too was on the phone. His eyes lit up when he saw me. He held his finger up and gave me a wink, telling me to hold on. It sounded like he was arguing with a subcontractor about the Bellvue building. I looked at his mess of a desk and smiled. He really needed to hire a new office manager. He had been without one for a couple of months.

My phone buzzed again. I pulled it out of my bag.

Let me take you to dinner this week to celebrate. We can go over listings then.

I stared at my phone, not sure how to respond.

“Darlin’,” Daddy interrupted my dilemma.

I smiled up at him.

“What’s got you consternated?”

I threw my phone in my bag. “Nothing. It’s just Declan asking me to have dinner with him.”

Daddy’s smile engulfed his face. “I like that boy. He’s grown up to be a fine man and one heck of a sales guy. He convinced me to use Redline for the Lawrence building on Sycamore.”

“Why is he handling it? Doesn’t Redline have territory managers?”

“You’re a smart cookie and so is he. He’s using his personal connection.”

That made sense. But Declan was distracting me from the real reason I came. I held up my craft paper package. “Let’s forget about Declan for a moment. I have something for you.”

Daddy met me in front of his desk. “I’ve been waiting for you to call.” He kissed my cheek.

“I wanted to tell you in person.” I handed him the neatly tied package.

“You’ve always been my favorite daughter.”

I grinned as I watched him open the gift. Then my eyes welled up with tears as he read the shirt and moisture appeared in his own.

He was so choked up, he couldn’t speak. Instead he pulled me in for a bear hug.

And there I stayed for several minutes. I reveled in the comfort only a daddy could give. “I take it you’re happy.”

“Baby girl, I haven’t been this happy since your momma told me she was pregnant with you.” He kissed the top of my head. “We are going to celebrate tonight. I’m calling Willis’ to make reservations. And then I’m going to buy my grandson a pony or something.”

I laughed against his chest. “Daddy, where would you put a horse?”

“I’ll buy some property.”

“I think Momma’s already planning to buy out the baby store, so let’s hold off on any large animals.”

He gave me another squeeze before he let go to make the reservations at the finest steak house in Charleston. It overlooked the river. “The Dixon name will live on.”

I knew how important that was to him. It’s why I kept it as my middle name when I got married, but I promptly took it back as my last name as soon as I was divorced. I knew Daddy would never say it, but he was sad they could never have more children. He always made me feel like a princess, but I don’t think he would have minded a prince. And now we were going to have one.

Daddy picked up his phone, a sly grin playing on his lips. “You know, Declan lives near Willis’.”

My eyes narrowed. “I remember him mentioning something about living near the river.”

“Then it’s settled. Invite him to dinner tonight.”

“Daddy?”

“What, darlin’? He already asked you to dinner. It would be rude not to invite him.”

“I don’t see how.”

“Just take your old man’s word for it.” He dialed the restaurant’s number.

I pulled out my own phone.

Declan had texted again. I’ll chew with my mouth closed and everything. Don’t leave me hanging.

I grinned and sighed. I justified my response with the argument that we were only friends. He even said last night that’s all he wanted from me. And I could use more friends right now. How about dinner tonight with my parents at Willis’. Does six work for you?

Can’t wait.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

~*~

Momma and I drove into Charleston together to meet Daddy and now Declan for dinner.

“Karen has already said she wants to throw a baby shower for you.” Karen was Momma’s best friend.

“I don’t need one.” I didn’t want the attention.

“Nonsense. Everyone is expecting there to be one.”

I wasn’t. “Um . . . okay, but only a small gathering.” I knew Momma and her friend would do it with or without my blessing, so I thought I should stipulate. Not that it would do much good, but I could try.

Momma smiled like I could live in my make-believe world. She already had a plan by the looks of her impish grin.

“Please nothing over the top.”

She reached over and patted my bare knee while I drove. “It will be perfect, as will my baby.”

I gave her a small smile.

“And I can’t tell you how happy I am that Declan is joining us tonight. I always hoped you two kids would find a way back to each other.”

If I could have grabbed my heart I would have. “Momma, why would you say that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? He’s as good as gold and now you’re old enough.”

“I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m barely out of my failed marriage.”

From the corner of my eye I could see her face scrunch in furious fashion. “You did not fail. It was Greyson that flunked out.” She said his name with such vehemence. Once upon a time she loved him, which made her hate him even more now.

“Regardless, I can’t entertain a relationship with anyone right now.”

She stroked my hair that somewhat behaved itself tonight. It looked unruly on purpose at least. “You didn’t deserve any of this, and I’m so proud of the way you’ve handled it all.”

She had me tearing up. “I’m just putting one foot in front of the other.”

“You don’t have to do it alone.”

“I have you and Daddy.”

“As much as we love you, it isn’t the same as a partner.”

That was true, but . . . “How can I ever trust myself or another man again?”

“It will come, just don’t close yourself off to it.”

“Momma, all I need now are friends.”

“Friends to lovers are the best kinds of relationships.” She sighed like a much younger woman.

“You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

“All I’m saying, honey, is I saw the way he looked at you during lunch yesterday, and he’s as enthralled with you as he ever was.”

“Maybe you need to get your contact prescription checked.”

She smacked my arm. “I’m not the blind one here.”

Between my family and my friends, I was going to have to stay away from Declan. I didn’t need anyone getting the wrong impression. I was a mother-to-be for goodness sake. And could we all please remember we were teenagers when we dated? Our lives are completely different now, other than I was living with my parents. For all we knew we wouldn’t get along as adults. Though I had a hard time believing that. Declan seemed to be as charming as he ever was.

Let’s face it, the man showed up to dinner with a gift for the baby.

We were already seated when he came strolling in holding a blue giftbag with tissue paper popping out of it. Not many men would add the frivolity. And did I mention how handsome he looked? My guess was that he went home and changed. He was wearing dark trousers and a crisp blue button-up that looked like a million bucks on him. I was glad Momma suggested I wear the white eyelet sundress. Not like I needed to impress him, but now I didn’t look underdressed next to him. Because of course that’s exactly where my parents wanted him to sit.

Daddy stood up to greet Declan with a handshake.

“I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late.” He ran his hand through his damp hair. He definitely went home to change.

“No worries at all, we were barely seated.” Momma smiled up at him.

Declan kissed her cheek in greeting.

I think Momma blushed.

Without warning, Declan also kissed my cheek. “You look beautiful, congratulations.” He handed me the bag before he took his seat.

I touched my cheek with one hand and held the bag in the other. I hadn’t received much to any affection or compliments from men other than Daddy in a long time. I told myself it was friendly as he had done the same to Momma, but the way he was staring at me didn’t seem all that platonic. In fact, it warmed me in a way I hadn’t felt in too long. “Thank you,” I remembered to say.

“You’re welcome. Open it.”

All eyes were focused on me as I removed the tissue paper and pulled out a dark blue baby wrap. I had been wanting one so I could carry my little guy around when the time came. “This is so thoughtful. Thank you.” I studied the packaging.

“I called my sister and she suggested it. She said this was the best one on the market. She used one for her last baby.”

I placed the gift back in the bag and met Declan’s eyes. I wanted to say something to convey how touched I was, but Momma got to him before I could. She grabbed his hand. “You are the sweetest man ever.”

“Hey now, what about me?” Daddy laughed.

In the midst of my parents’ banter, Declan’s eyes fixed on me for a few seconds longer. In them I saw the boy who made my toes curl and heart pound. It was good when he turned away and addressed my parents. “I’m sure Mr. Dixon has me beat.”

Momma rested her hand on top of Declan’s. “We are going to keep you around.”

Declan faced me. “I sure hope so.”

I had to turn away. I wasn’t ready to feel the things stirring within me.

The waiter came at the perfect moment. Food was a good thing to focus on. He listed their specials, took our drink order, and let us be. Daddy ordered a bottle of wine for everyone besides me, of course. I would be sticking with good old water with lemon. Though I felt like I had drunk more than my fair share of water for the day. My bladder was still recovering from the earlier excruciating pain. But my stomach was ready for steak, au gratin potatoes, and grilled asparagus.

“So have you thought of names?” Declan perused his menu.

That piqued my parents’ interest.

“A few, but I haven’t chosen one. I thought for sure this baby was a girl.”

“I told you.” Daddy gave me a wink.

“Yes, you did.” I smiled back at him.

“You know, Richard is a good strong name,” Daddy put his plug in, making Declan and Momma laugh.

“It is.” I wasn’t going to commit to anything. I didn’t want to get his hopes up.

“You could always name him Mel, after you,” Declan suggested.

“I don’t think he would appreciate that as he got older.”

“True,” Declan agreed.

“At least we already know what he’ll be when he grows up,” Daddy surprised me.

I gave Daddy my full attention. He was beaming. “And what’s that?”

“He’ll own Dixon Construction once you pass it down to him.”

I tilted my head. “I didn’t know I was inheriting it.”

Daddy sat up business like. “I was hoping this dinner could be more than just a celebration for the baby. I want you to come work for me. Take on an executive roll, learn the ropes. I need a smart financial mind like yours.”

I sat back in shock. I hadn’t ever considered the possibility.

“You can bring the baby to work,” Daddy sweetened the deal.

“Or I’ll watch him,” Momma eagerly volunteered.

Daddy’s eyes owned mine. He was dead serious. “Think about it, baby girl.”

I nodded. “I will.” Wow. How unexpected, but not unwelcome. It kind of excited me, but I knew I should think about it before making such a huge commitment.

After that everything else seemed to be a blur. I listened and participated in the conversations, but I kept thinking about Daddy’s offer, or when Declan’s hand brushed mine on occasion. The fluttering in my mid-section was not the baby, though he moved too. That never got old.

I was so lost in my thoughts I found myself absentmindedly agreeing to a stroll down the Riverwalk with Declan.

This night was full surprises.