Page 49 of Ice Darling
“New parts?” Delia sobs dramatically. “Oh no!”
I smile to myself and quietly retreat down the stairs. As I prepare the salad, I replay the scene I just witnessed, and my grin goes wider and wider.
What a dilemma.
Cordelia Davenport should stay far, far away from me. That isn’t a question.
But…
She’s good for Gordie.
And at the end of the day, Gordie’s well-being trumps everything.
I need to find a way to keep that woman around without losing my mind in the process.
Chapter Eighteen
Cordelia
Theclinkof my fork against the plate barely registers as I scrape up as much of the sauce as I can and lick the tines clean.
The sensation of being watched stops me.
I look up.
Gordie is staring at me, her eyes crinkling with her smile.
Renthrow is across from me, his lips pinned tightly as if he’s trying to contain his laughter.
Embarrassment brings color to my cheeks, and I let the fork clatter into the plate.
“Do you want more?” Renthrow offers.
I wipe my mouth with the paper towel that Gordie shared out for each of us and smile as primly as I can. “No, thanks. The food was incredible.”
“Daddy’s food isthe best.” Gordie gives Renthrow a proud look.
His lips curl up in response, and my breath hitches. The man is a hulking, frightening six foot four with the shadow of a beard that’s more suited to a grumpy lumberjack. And yet, his eyes on his daughter are as soft and pure as the first snow.
“Glad you liked it.” His eyes shift to me, and they are suddenlynotdewy. They are intense and probing, and I cannot breathe.
Renthrow leans over the table, never breaking his stare. As his ruggedly handsome face comes closer and closer, I inch back in my chair.
“I’ll get that for you,” he says, and to my surprise, he scoops up my plate, swings around, and heads to the kitchen.
My heart is pounding as if he actually made contact with me, and I gulp the rest of my water.
“Dad, can we watch a movie?” Gordie asks.
“It’s a school night.”
“But, Daddy?—”
“Did you finish your homework?”
Gordie flops in her chair. “No.”
“Then you best get started. It’ll be bedtime soon enough.”
