Page 4 of Single Dad's Christmas Gift
Mom and Auntie Caitlin sing her praises too. She’s in their knitting club and works so hard at making scarves and mittens to donate to orphanages and homeless shelters.
However, I have no right to be thinking about the innocent woman. She’s starting out her life while I have a kid to bring up. I’m married to my work, always have been. Every woman I’ve been with has knowingly been a mistress. They’ve always come second to my career. That’s why I only get involved with career women who want the same thing.
I can’t imagine the sweet teacher ever agreeing to a relationship like that. And for some perverse reason, I’m glad. She deserves a charming young man who’s willing to marry her and give her a houseful of babies.
My knuckles turn white. I force myself to bite back a string of swear words. I’m trying my hardest to keep a clean mouth around Evie, but the thought of Layla with another man drives me insane.
I force myself to relax the fingers on the steering wheel. As I turn off the road and enter a gate with the sign O’ConnorPremium Farms above it, I remind myself that I’m struggling with Evie and need no more complications.
CHAPTER TREE
Layla
I’M AT THE movie theatre trying to decide whether to have sweet or salty popcorn. The teenager on the till taps his fingers on the counter.
“Would you like a taste of each?” His voice is dripping with honey.
“I’ll have it sweet, please.”
Despite it being Friday evening, the place is almost empty. I suppose most people are doing their Christmas shopping. I grab my drink and popcorn and head to the auditorium. There’s no one there.
I choose a middle seat in the back row and make myself comfortable. It’s the last viewing of the movie. I might be the only person watching it. That’s never happened before. I thought I’d love it. Now, it feels kind of lonely.
I remember Evie hasn’t watched the movie. All the other kids in the class watched it with their families. She would love it. Thinking about Evie brings Fallon O’Connor to my mind.
I left home to stop thinking about him, so I remind myself what the movie is about, trying to drive him out of my head.
The sound of a door opening has me perking my ears. Maybe I’ll have company. To avoid being caught staring, I grab my drink and take a long sip of cold soda. When I glance up, my eyes collide with Fallon’s.
He and Evie are standing a few steps down from my row. I blink. He says something to Evie, points to seats on the opposite side of where I’m sitting.
Evie shakes her head, then glances around. I can tell the moment she spots me. Her pixie face creases into a huge smile, and she waves. I’m unable to resist her infectious smile.
She heads my way. Fallon stops her. I gaze at my popcorn, pretending not to notice how the wet lock of hair that fell to one side of his face makes him look more approachable.
Even from my seat, I can tell he’s had a shower. He replaced the red button down with a blue dress shirt and the blue jeans with black ones. He’s looking more handsome than he was this afternoon.
I bite my lip. Will I be able to concentrate on the movie?
Suddenly, they’re walking towards me. I stand, reminding myself of my role. They must be coming up to say hello. Blossom Ford is a small town. I’ve had parents stop me for a chat in many places.
I respond to Evie’s greeting and am glad of the way my voice is professional when I greet her father.
“May we please sit with you, Miss?” Evie asks.
There’s so much hope and faith in the little girl’s eyes that I want to say yes. I can no longer deny I have a soft spot for this child. And the feeling goes beyond the affection one feels for a favorite pupil.
“Please don’t feel pressured into accepting. I’ve explained that this is your free time. You don’t have to sit with us. We understand that, don’t we, poppet?”
Evie nods, but her eyes plead with me. My heart goes all mushy and the professional in me disappears, leaving behind the woman who’s in love with this little girl who has suffered so much.
I glance around. Apart from us, there’s no one else. Surely the movie is about to start. Nobody will know about this.
“It’s okay, if you don’t mind, Mr. O’Connor.”
He stares at me, his gray eyes unreadable. Then he looks at Evie. His eyes soften, and that changes his whole face. My heart goes all mushy again. The love he feels for his little girl shines brightly in his usually unreadable face.
“Okay,” he agrees.
