If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(59)

"I'll be fine here, Jeremy. I didn't lock the studio door; that's how they got in. The house was fine."

"I know, but I still don't think you should be here alone. It's almost seven, and we haven't had dinner yet. Why don't we save the rest of this for tomorrow and go back to my place? We'll make some food and hang out with Ashlyn."

"You said last night that having me to your house overnight would confuse Ashlyn."

"I feel like she'd be less confused now."

"Why?"

"Because she adores you. She couldn't wait to come back here."

"Let's start with dinner, and then we'll see," she said. "I'm going to run inside and change clothes. I feel very dusty."

"Great. I'll help Ashlyn finish getting the paintbrushes while you do that."

"Thanks." As she went into the house, she found herself smiling, and she wondered if there was any possible way she could actually ever say no to him. At this point, that didn't seem likely.



*



"What are we making for dinner?" Mia asked, as they entered Jeremy's kitchen a half hour later. "And should I have brought some food?"

"No, I've got food. And I can actually cook."

"Really. So is there anything wrong with you?"

He laughed. "I'm sure there's a list somewhere."

"Do you want to see my room?" Ashlyn asked her.

"Of course, but maybe we should help your dad first."

"No, you two go have fun," he said. "I've got everything under control. And if it all goes bad, we'll order take-out."

Judging by his confidence, nothing was going to go bad, so she followed Ashlyn up the stairs to her room.

The first thing that struck her was the massive number of stuffed animals and toys. The room was not messy, but it was full. Jeremy had obviously tried to bribe his way into Ashlyn's affection. Mia couldn't blame him. He had a lot of missed years to make up for.

The doll she'd given Ashlyn sat prominently on the neatly made bed. Mia wondered if Jeremy's military training contributed to the house being so well organized, or if it was just his normal way of doing things.

"So what's your favorite toy?" she asked, taking a seat on the bed.

Ashlyn picked up the doll she'd given her. "This one."

"Why do you like that one so much?"

"Because she looks sad."

"And she needed a friend," Mia finished.

Ashlyn nodded. "I'm her friend. Do you know her name?"

"I don't."

"It's Allison."

"I like Allison."

"Her name starts with an A like mine."

"And my name ends in an A so I'm cool with the As. What's your second favorite toy?"

Ashlyn set the doll down and grabbed a soft brown teddy bear that was on the foot of the bed. "This is Charlie. He likes to sleep with me, because sometimes he gets scared."

It was interesting that Ashlyn had given her stuffed animals and dolls many of her own traits and fears. But seeing as how she'd been wrapped up in her head since her mother died, that was probably a good thing. She'd been able to release some of the negative emotions by helping her dolls through the bad feelings.

"I heard you and your dad had a good talk," Mia said.

Ashlyn nodded. "He says he's not going to go anywhere. We're going to live together forever."

"He loves you very much."

"I always wanted to have a daddy. But I wish I could have my mommy, too."

"I know," she said, giving Ashlyn a sympathetic smile.

"Do you have a mommy?"

"Yes, she's really nice. Her name is Sharon. I also have two sisters and three brothers and a great dad. I'm lucky. But there was a time when I thought it would be more fun to be an only child like you. Then I would have all the attention."

"I guess."

She saw the ribbon they'd won at the sand castle building competition pinned to Ashlyn's bulletin board. "I had fun today at the beach; did you?"

Ashlyn nodded. "I wish we could have gotten one of the trophies, though."

"Well, there's always next year." She paused as Jeremy called their names. "I guess dinner must be ready. That was fast."

Ashlyn took her hand, and they walked together down the stairs.

The kitchen smelled of garlic and onions.

"Spaghetti," Jeremy said with a shrug. "It's not fancy, but I think you'll like it."

"It smells wonderful," she said. "And salad, too?"

"Gotta get the veggies in." He handed her the bowl of salad, bright green lettuce, topped with cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumbers. "I'll grab the garlic bread out of the oven."

Mia sat down at the table next to Ashlyn and thought how much had changed since the first night she'd arrived and shared a pizza with the two of them. She'd come to care so much about Ashlyn and her very handsome father, and it felt absolutely right to be sitting down to another meal together.

Summer fling, she reminded herself silently.

Don't get carried away. Don’t start thinking past tonight.