Page 7 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Four
Fee glanced up as they stepped back onto the porch. The little girl clung onto Tom’s hand and was wearing new, distinctly uncoordinated, baggy clothes. ‘Well, aren’t you looking prettier than ever?’ Her attempt at cheering Lulu didn’t alter the child’s dubious expression. ‘I love your cute blue jumper.’
‘My what?’ Lulu’s nose wrinkled.
Tom clearedhis throat and the edges of his mouth quivered. ‘MissWinter’s talking about your sweater. Where she lives they call it a jumper.’
‘That’s silly, it can’t jump,’ Lulu declared.
Behind the child’s back Tom gave Fee a long, slow wink and she fought against giggling, something she hadn’t done in twenty years.
‘How about more ice cream, ladies?’ he asked.
Big tearswelled in Lulu’s huge eyes. ‘I’ve had ‘nuff, UncleT. I want my mama.’
A slice of long suppressed pain cut through Fee’s heart. She thought of the hundreds of times she’d begged for the exact same thing. Homeless children in Peru, abused women in Ethiopia, or downtrodden miners in the Congo – fighting for good causes was always higher on Maddy Winter’s priority list than her only child.No doubt it was where she’d got her own single-mindedness where her job was concerned and why she’d never have a family of her own. She could never put a child through the loneliness she’d endured. Every child was precious and should be cherished – she’d seen enough families destroyed by war or famine but still holding on to the only things of real importance: the people they loved. Fee acceptedthere was something lacking in her make-up, the same as it’d been in her mother’s. That was simply how it was.
Tom glanced at his watch. ‘Sure thing, baby girl. We’ll go back to Mommy Ina’s and your mama will be home real soon. I’ll put our dishes in the kitchen and we’ll be off.’
‘I could do that,’ Fee offered.
‘No problem. Won’t take me a minute.’
He probablydidn’t want her poking around in his home but was too polite to say so. Fee nodded. ‘I’ll be on my way and let you two get on.’
‘Care to take a ride into Pine Ridge with us?’
Lulu tugged on Fee’s hand. ‘Please. Mommy Ina’s apple pie is so good.’
‘I couldn’t eat another thing.’ Fee mock-groaned. ‘Your uncle stuffed me with too much yummy ice cream.’ The little girl’s facefell and she wished she’d thought before speaking.
‘Nothing stoppin’ you takin’ a look around, is there?’ Tom put her on the spot and Fee shook her head. ‘I’ll go in and grab my keys while you ladies get in the truck.’
Fee took hold of Lulu’s small, warm hand and they walked down the cabin steps together. She lifted the little girl up and settled her in the car seat.
‘Don’tyou know how it works?’ Lulu whined when she struggled to buckle the seat belt, confused by the array of straps and where they were supposed to go.
‘Here, let me.’ Tom appeared by her right shoulder and she was instantly aware of his nearness and the clean fresh-air scent rising from his soft flannel shirt when he reached across her to snap Lulu’s belt in place.
He popped a kisson Lulu’s forehead. ‘Do you think I’ll have to do MissFee’s belt up too, pumpkin?’
The thought of his big, competent hands touching her again made her glance down at the ground, anything to avoid him recognising her embarrassment. ‘Certainly not,’ she retorted.
‘Hop in the front and prove it, hotshot.’
Without another word Fee climbed into the passenger seat and fixedher seat belt. She stared straight ahead and folded her hands primly on her lap while wishing she could answer him back with a joke. For two pins she’d get out and race back to the safety of her cabin.
‘Lulu will survive if you change your mind,’ he murmured. ‘I didn’t mean to railroad you. I’m real sorry.’
Daring to look his way, the worry lurking in his warm eyes gave her thecourage to shake her head. ‘
‘Hurry up, UncleT. I want my Mama right now,’ Lulu yelled and kicked at the back of the seat.
‘That’s enough, Lulu. You need to be a good girl or Mommy Ina won’t let you come play with me again.’
Tom’s kind, firm tone quieted the little girl and Fee couldn’t help thinking what a great father he’d make. Not that she had any personal experiencebecause her father didn’t even know of her existence. She was curious as to why such a warm, family-oriented man didn’t appear to have his own kids.
As they started off back down the gravel road Fee smiled to herself imagining Doctor Michael’s reaction if he could see her now. He’d be impressed to see her riding with a strange man and a child to meet people she didn’t know with no signof a panic attack.
