Page 10 of Small Town Prince Charming

“Is it done?”

“Yes.”

“Let me see.” She rested her hands on her hips. “If you do have homework, and it’s not done, and you’ve lied to me about it, then you’re working on it right now.” How much homework could a second grader have?

Maisey grabbed her backpack. “I do, but it’s done. See?” She handed over a purple folder. “I didn’t even rush.”

She checked the four pages of work—two math worksheets, a reading lesson and a music sheet. All appeared correct, and Maisey had even colored in the lines. “Okay, but I want to see your homework—and if it needs to be completed—each night. If you have some to do, then you’ll do it. Understand? Your daddy has plenty to worry about.”

“He says that a lot.” Maisey shook her head and put the folder back into her bag. “It’s crazy.”

For being seven, Maisey sure had some attitude. “What’s crazy?”

“Daddy works a bunch of the day, and he gets frustrated when Mrs. Simec yells. She does that a lot.” Maisey tucked her hair behind her ears. “But Daddy is nice. Why would she be mean to someone who is nice?”

Tracey fumbled for an answer. She’d stepped totally out of her comfort zone and her radius of understanding. “Who is Mrs. Simec?” She sat on the other stool. “I don’t know her, do I?” She hadn’t been introduced to every one of the parents, despite asking Derek about such things.

“She’s our landlady and Erin’s mom. She comes over to the apartment a lot to talk to him, but she never brings Erin to play.” Maisey shrugged. “She came over one time without Erin and she wore this funny red dress. She told him to help her with her horizontal hold and he turned as red as her dress.”

Horizontal hold? Oh my. What a thing to say in front of a child. “I see. I should call your dad to find out what time he’s going to be done tonight and if it’s okay if I get you a snack.”

“I have it here.” Maisey produced a tag in her backpack. “I memorized it, too, but I keep the number here in case I get mixed up or scared.”

“Do you know what? I used to forget my lines when I got scared.” Which was why her career in the theatre took her in the direction of design. An actress wasn’t useful if she didn’t know her lines.

“You did?” Maisey’s eyes widened. “No way.”

“It’s true.” She typed out the text to Ryan’s number.

It’s Tracey. The shop is locked, so come to the alley door. Give me a heads up on time, and we’ll see you soon. Thanks.

She hit send and her heart skipped a beat. She never thought she’d see Ryan again and certainly not with him being single. Now she’d messaged him.

She swore she felt a spark when they touched, but she could be imagining things. They’d been friends and kissed a few times, but he’d had Carol. He had his girl and Tracey had the unfortunate luck of being branded the good time girl. The whole label happened because of a rumor. She hadn’t slept with those four basketball players—just hung out, but one girl and four guys had to equal monkey business. Only Ryan seemed to believe her when she told him the truth.

Her phone buzzed with a new text from Ryan.

Will be done in 45. Thanks. Derek is running everyone ragged and demanded I repaint one of the revolving boards. Ugh.

Derek could make life miserable when he wanted. She typed a reply.

Feel free to vent when you come over. I have coffee. Two cups and no waiting.

She hit send before she could take the invitation back. She wasn’t great at flirting, and he might not see her invitation as a flirt. She tucked her phone into her pocket. If she’d learned anything in the city, it was if she wanted something, she had to make it happen.

“Is Daddy coming soon?” Maisey toyed with the display of bracelets.

“Do you want to go home?” She’d thought they were having fun, but she could be boring for a kid.

Maisey shrugged.

“Is it bad at home?” She hadn’t gotten that feeling, but she wasn’t sure how Maisey would react.

“No,” Maisey said. “Daddy falls asleep too fast. We don’t read books or watch movies like we used to.”

“I’m sorry, kid.” She couldn’t fix all Maisey’s problems, but she wished she could. She’d bet Maisey tried to tell Ryan what she wanted, and Ryan probably wanted to give in to her, but didn’t every time.

“Do you read to your daughter?” Maisey asked.

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