Page 8 of Single Dad Dilemma

“I practiced law.”

“Wow, a lawyer?”

He smiles and nods. “Yeah. It was a good job, but it kept me working over forty hours a week, and I was missing a lot of time with Margo. It was like, in the blink of an eye, she went from being a little baby to two years old. I realized how precious life is, and I was missing hers. Suddenly, working wasn’t important. Life was. Being here, being present.”

I listen intently as he talks, and I can’t help but to agree. “You’re very lucky you have her. She’s so sweet.”

When I say that, I see the corners of his mouth turn down slightly, but he wipes it away completely. “What about you? You married, have children?”

“No and no. I’ve always dreamed about it, though, finding the one perfect person who will change my whole outlook on life. Having children and watching them grow. Growing up, my family wasn’t very traditional, so of course, that’s all I want.”

“The classic happily ever after,” he breathes out.

I laugh. “I guess so.”

There’s a long drawn out minute as we both look out over the lake. “So, what do you plan on doing here? I mean, are you going to open your own law office, or do you plan on not working for a while?”

“That is the question.” He laughs out. “Nah, I’m still trying to figure it out. I don’t want anything that’s going to keep me as busy as I was before, so law is out. But at the same time, I needsomething to keep my hands and mind busy, something to keep me moving. I haven’t figured it all out yet.”

“I’m sure you will…in time.” I tip my bottle back and take another swig of beer. “Anyway, I guess I better get going. I left Jane at the bakery by herself. I better go check and make sure the place isn’t up in flames.” I set my beer bottle on the table between us and stand.

He joins me, opening the door to show me into the house.

“Well, thanks for coming by, and thanks for the cupcakes. Margo is going to love them.”

“You’re welcome. I thought it might be fun for her to decorate them any way she wants.”

He opens the front door now and I step out. “Don’t be a stranger,” I tell him.

“You too,” he replies, waving before shutting the door between us as I make my way to my car.

Climbing behind the wheel, my heart is racing like I’ve just run a marathon. I’m a little surprised, actually. Every time he comes into the bakery, it almost seems like he goes out of his way to not have to talk or be friendly. But here, he opened up like a blooming rose. He was warm and friendly. He laughed and smiled. He told me things about himself, though nothing about Margo’s mom, but I guess that’s to be expected, especially if he’s still not completely healed from the whole thing yet.

I almost expected for him to open the door, take the cupcakes, and then shut the door without inviting me in. I was prepared for that, but he was completely opposite of everything I thought he’d be. I wonder why he was so at ease today. Was it because I caught him off guard by showing up unexpectedly? Maybe it’s because he’s feeling more comfortable around me now that we’ve talked a few times. Or maybe it’s just because he really is starved for adult interaction. It’s just him and hisdaughter locked away up here. Either way, I hope he continues to open up to me.

FOUR

Carson

Iwas taken completely by surprise when I opened the door and found her on the other side. It was almost like my subconscious had been calling for her, and she listened. I haven’t been able to keep her off my mind since that last time we went to the bakery a few days ago. Something about her pulls me in.

At first, I thought that maybe she reminded me of my late wife, but I don’t see how that could be. They look nothing alike. Kate was blonde with blue eyes and ivory skin that flushed pink every time I ran my finger across her cheek. Violet has a beautiful olive complexion, with dark eyes and long raven-colored hair that’s as smooth and sleek as glass. Kate was short and thin but had rounded hips and face. Violet is tall and thin, and she has angular features, a sharp jawline, and high cheekbones. But she’s also round in all the right places. Her ass is like a juicy apple I would love to bite into, and her chest is easily more than a handful—I’d say at least a C cup.

The two women are completely different in every way, so why do I feel this pull toward Violet? I’m not in any kind of condition to start up anything with her. I can’t. Physically and mentally can’t. Not only do I not have anything in me to give, but I can’t subject Margo to something like that. But I guess just becausemy heart and mind aren’t ready to date again, that doesn’t stop the attraction I have toward her. She’s a beautiful woman. Anyone who doesn’t think so has to be blind. She’s sweet and always welcoming toward Margo. And she’s a good person. I mean, who else would bring over a dozen cupcakes out of the blue?

I plop back down onto the couch and look at the scattered papers in front of me. There I see blueprints for the additional garage I’m planning on building, along with some listings for wood distributors for the boat I plan on building. There are also bank statements and a map of the property lines so I stay well within my limits. In the far corner of my mind, I have this idea to build and sell custom boats.

I spent many summers out on the ocean with my own father growing up, and we’d built many boats. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing and, to be honest, something that comes naturally to me. I find myself rather good at it, even though I’ve never been properly trained. I figure I’ll start with my own boat and make sure I still have the time and skillset a project like this will need.

I have a delivery coming this afternoon to start building my own boat. If it goes well, I plan on booking some meeting with investors to try to get the money I’ll need to start the business up without taking it out of my own pocket. Sure, I could use my own bank account and skip the backers, but that only puts me more at risk of losing everything, and with Margo, that’s not an option. I have to make sure that I always have a home for her, that I’m always able to take care of her and provide.

“Daddy?” Margo says, walking into the room and rubbing her eyes.

“Hi, sweetheart. Did you wake up?”

She nods as she climbs onto my lap, and I hold her against my chest.

“Guess what?”

---