Daddy Next Door (9 page)

“I know.”

“All right. I’ll see what I can find.” She took a bite of her lunch. “You know, I was thinking, are you sure you only need five copies of your portrait? If you’re applying to a lot of different school districts, you may need more than that.”

“Well, maybe ten copies. What will that run me?”

“Oh, twenty-five dollars.”

“Come on, Jen, I’m serious.”

Jennifer looked at the girls quickly. They were seated in a round booth and the girls were chatting among themselves. She leaned toward Nick. “I told you you’d only have to pay for the paper. My services were free.”

“Even your film? I have to pay for the film, too. And I know photo paper is more expensive than that.”

“Nick, just pay what I said and quit complaining. You’re taking us out for lunch and I intend to let you pay. Turn-about, fair play.”

“Fine. I’ll just owe you five more lunches!”

She was about to object but he cut her off. “How are you going to make your name by giving away your work?”

“I’m hoping people will look at your photos and decide I can do a good job.”

“So the more I show my picture, the better for you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

She frowned. Did he think using his photo on
résumés for a teaching job would bring her a lot of notoriety? She just shook her head.

“By the way, I think you told the ladies upstairs about me. They each came to visit me this morning, one at a time.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “Thanks a lot.”

“Oh. I’m sorry, but I thought— You needed to meet the rest of your neighbors.”

“But aren’t there three more?”

“Well, yes, but they won’t be back for several more days.”

“Well, there’s no rush.”

She wiped her lips with her napkin. “It’ll give you more, uh, friends to do things with.”

“I’m not going to have much time to play. I’m…writing a lot this summer.”

“What are you writing?”

Her question seemed to be difficult to answer. He seemed to study his reply before speaking. Finally he said, “I’m writing a novel.”

“Writing a novel? I thought you were a teacher.”

“I am. But I’m taking a break from teaching to write for a while.” He looked away and said, “Sorry I didn’t tell you, but I’m still a little skeptical about it.”

“And you need a picture? Before you even sell the book?”

He cleared his throat. “Actually, I’ve already got a contract for it.”

“What kind of book?”

“An action thriller. But I’ll need a picture for the back cover—and it will give you some exposure, too.”

“That’s great. That’s one of the reasons I did The Heart Gallery with the girls. Maybe I should pay you to let me take your picture.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m no Stephen King.”

“I should hope not! I certainly wouldn’t want my children to spend time with a horror writer!”

“Then I’m glad I don’t write horror.” He smiled more easily since the conversation had started.

“Me, too. Is this the first book you’ve sold?”

“No, actually, I’ve sold another book, but it won’t be out until September.”

“Oh, so you’ll be famous in September?” she teased.

“Probably not.”

“It’s okay. I’m still pleased to take your picture.” She smiled at him.

The waitress stopped by to be sure they didn’t need anything, and he asked for a refill on his soft drink.

Before she could continue their conversation, which she was enjoying, Nick turned to the children and asked if they had favorite books.

Steffi definitely did. Missy didn’t know the name of her favorite book, but she insisted on telling the story to Nick, from start to finish. Annie hadn’t said anything, so he looked at her next.

“I like Cinderella,” she said, looking unsure of how the others would react.

“That’s a lovely story, honey,” Nick said. “Good choice.”

Jennifer made a mental note to rent the movie
Ever After
for Annie, right after she finished her errands this afternoon. She still had to sign the girls up for ballet classes. Not only did she think they’d enjoy it, they’d have the opportunity to make friends before school started. When everyone was done she told Nick her plans.

“Then you’d better get to it.” He waved for the waitress and offered his credit card to pay the bill.

Jennifer worried about what kind of debt he was collecting. It was easy to get carried away charging, she knew, and it could trip a person up later.

After they dropped off Nick, she drove to the dance studio where she’d taken ballet as a child.

She introduced the girls to the owners of the school, Mr. George and Mrs. Beverly. Then she enrolled all three girls in the first basic class. They were to start tomorrow morning.

They bought their tights, leotards, ballet shoes and tutus. Annie was fascinated with the tutu. She held hers in her lap all the way home.

“Okay, girls, we’ve had a busy day. Now, go lie down for an hour and try to go to sleep,” Jennifer said.

“I’m not sleepy,” Steffi complained.

“Just rest, honey. You don’t have to go to sleep.”

Once she got the girls down, she fixed herself a glass of iced tea and was going to sit down and relax, when there was a knock on her door.

She opened it and found Nick there.

“Hi, come on in. Want a glass of iced tea?”

“Yeah, that’d be great.”

He waited until she went to the kitchen and returned with an iced tea for him. Then he sat down on the sofa.

“Uh, Jennifer, I wanted to tell you…well, I lied to you this afternoon.”

Nick waited for her reaction. He’d decided it was time to come clean about his career. Jim Barnes be damned.

Jennifer stared at him, as if she couldn’t believe his words.

“Take a drink of iced tea,” he suggested.

Instead, she set her glass down on the coffee table. “No, I want to know what you’re talking about.”

“I told you I’d sold another book before this one.”

That apparently wasn’t what she expected. “But you haven’t?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Then what is it you’re lying about?”

“My first book was picked up by a producer in Hollywood.”

“You’re kidding!”

He shrugged. “I got lucky.”

“And that means you don’t have to teach again?”

“Only because when I sold my book, someone in
Hollywood looked at it and bought it for a movie. They’re filming it right now.”

“Really?” she exclaimed, her eyes big, reminding him of Annie.

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling uncomfortable.

“They are really making a movie from your book and they’ll show it in real theaters?”

“Yeah.”

Jennifer stood and began pacing the room. “So are they buying your next book, too?”

“Hopefully. I’ve got to finish it first.”

She continued to stare at him. He could only describe her look as horror-stricken. But then he’d been accused of being overly dramatic.

“And you’ve let us interfere with your work? Oh, no, Nick, I’m so sorry!”

“Jen, it’s not that big a deal. I hadn’t gotten started until this morning. And I’m used to interruptions.”

“Maybe, but I shouldn’t have let you take so much time, going shopping with us, putting together the swing set. You’ll be famous and— Your photo is for the book jacket of your first book, the one they’re making into a movie?” she suddenly demanded, her face lighting up.

Nick laughed. “Not famous, but yes, the photo will be used on the book jacket. That’s why I thought I should be honest with you.”

“Do you realize how much exposure that will give
me?” Jennifer sat back down on the sofa. “Oh, my. My first photo that will go all over the world!”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“You don’t understand how important this is. Let’s see, we’ll need some eight-by-ten glossies in black and white and in color. What does your publisher want?”

“We can just send them the pictures you’re making copies of.”

“Yes, of course. I can have them ready in a couple of days. Will that be soon enough?”

“Yes, of course, Jen. Look, it’s not that big a deal. I just felt bad leading you on, and you worrying about whether or not I could make it. I mean, I’m still getting my teacher’s salary until September, anyway. But I wanted you to know that I’m all right.”

“Well, thank you, and I promise we won’t take up your time like we’ve been doing.”

“No! I don’t want you to stay away. I’ll get lonesome over there all by myself.”

“But you’ll be writing.”

“Not all the time. I’ll still have time for the girls…and you.”

“But I may become busy once people see my photo on the back of your book.” She flashed him a smile. “I might be in demand.”

“I hope so. But I’ll help with the girls whenever you need me. Okay?”

“Yes, but I’ll manage.”

“But, Jen—”

She was urging him toward the door. “I know you want to get back to your writing. Thanks for telling me.”

And suddenly Nick found himself out in the hall. Damn it, this wasn’t what he wanted! He just didn’t like lying to her!

But now she wouldn’t include him in things she did with the girls. They would tiptoe past his apartment, worrying about disturbing him. And he’d shrivel up in his apartment, without a new thought in his head.

Okay, so maybe he
was
being overly dramatic. Jennifer would get over the idea that she shouldn’t bother him. Wouldn’t she?

J
ENNIFER EXPLAINED TO HER
girls over dinner that Nick was writing a book and would be too busy to do things with them. They weren’t happy, but their enthusiasm returned when she told them about her photo.

Annie’s eyes got big. “He’s writing a book? Can we read it?”

“I don’t think it’s a children’s book, but we’ll buy a copy when it comes out. And you know what? One of the pictures I took of him will be on the back of his book!”

“Is that good?” Steffi asked.

Ever the analytical one, Annie offered, “Maybe because people will look at it and decide they want you to take their pictures.”

Steffi chimed in. “That would be a good idea because you make great pictures. Look at what you did for us.”

Jennifer felt emotion tighten her throat. What had she ever done to deserve these girls? “Thanks, honey,” she managed to say.

“Mommy, after dinner, can we go out and play with Blondie? She’s getting lonesome in the backyard by herself.”

“I guess so, Missy. You’ll have a couple of hours after dinner before bedtime and it’s staying light until almost nine o’clock. Before you go, I wanted to ask you a question. Would you like to take swimming lessons?”

“But we don’t have a swimming pool,” Steffi pointed out.

“I know, but there’s a place I can take you that does have a pool and someone there will teach you to swim. It’s a good thing to learn so you can be prepared for whatever comes along.”

“Okay,” Steffi agreed.

“How about you two? Are swimming lessons okay?”

Both Annie and Missy agreed.

“Okay, I’ll make the arrangements while you’re playing with Blondie.”

All three girls left the kitchen and Jennifer was deafened by the sound of silence. Funny how before the girls her apartment was always quiet and it never bothered her. In another way, though, she’d always yearned for family—other than her mother. That was why she’d thought about contacting her half brother—an idea that still had appeal. She just didn’t have the time now.

She cleared the table and quickly did the dishes, planning to set up some interviews with housekeepers. One who could work for her two days a week and one day for Nick. Not that she was responsible for him, but he’d need someone to clean his apartment. She’d heard writers got involved in their writing and didn’t notice the things around them.

Okay, so she was thinking of Nick, not an impersonal “them.” She was excited about his future, and her own, she admitted. But she would miss not having Nick around. She already did.

He had shored up her belief that she could be a parent. And he had encouraged her to go to parenting classes. And he’d made her feel that she had backup if she needed it. But now she didn’t feel that she could interrupt him.

He might be writing.

Suddenly she felt almost as alone as she did when she didn’t have the girls.

N
ICK FELT ALONE
.

He was actually getting some writing done, though, in spite of the worry that Jennifer would shut him out of her little family. He was giving her a little time, hoping that she might miss him.

When a knock disturbed his work, he eagerly hurried to answer it, hoping, dreaming it was Jennifer.

But the vision before him was more like a nightmare. It was Jennifer’s mother.

“Where is my daughter?” the haughty woman demanded without any greeting.

“You’re knocking on the wrong door. That’s her door over there.”

“I know that!” the woman spat out. “But she’s not there!”

He looked at his watch. “Oh, she’s probably at the girls’ ballet class.”

“She put them in ballet class? That’s ridiculous! They don’t know anything about ballet.”

“That would be the reason for the classes, wouldn’t it?” He leaned against the door, finding this interruption very interesting.

“When will she be home?”

“I don’t know, Mrs. Carpenter. I’m not her gatekeeper.”

“What a difficult young man!”

He ignored her nasty remark. “Would you like to leave a note for Jen?”

“Jen? Her name is Jennifer. Don’t call her Jen!”

He shrugged. “She’s never objected.”

“Well, I do. It’s…common!”

He nearly laughed in her face. “I think that’s Jen’s decision,” he said, intentionally using his pet name for her daughter.

“I need a pen and paper. I’m trying to help Jennifer, but it’s hard to do that when I can’t even find her.”

“Come right this way.” Once he led her into his apartment and got her the supplies, she sat down on his sofa and wrote her a note. Then she carefully folded it.

“Please give this to Jennifer when she returns.”

“I’ll be happy to.”

She wagged a finger in his face. “And don’t read it!”

Nick just smiled and took the note. Then he escorted the woman out the door. Mrs. Carpenter didn’t realize she’d actually done him a favor: she’d given him a reason to contact Jennifer.

But Jennifer didn’t come home. Not when ballet should have been over, nor an hour later, or two. Nick began to worry about her and the three little ones. What if they’d had an accident? She would call him, wouldn’t she? He began to pace, trying to imagine what they could be doing.

He kept checking his watch. She could be doing any number of things, but he didn’t know what. It would be ridiculous to demand her schedule each day, but how could he get any work done if he thought she or the girls were in danger?

When her car finally pulled into the lot, he was outside to let the girls out.

“Daddy!” Missy called out, forgetting herself.

“Hi, sweetheart. Where have y’all been? I thought you’d be here an hour ago.”

“We bought swimsuits,” Annie said with a big smile.

He ushered all three girls to the sidewalk. “Swimsuits? But we don’t have a swimming pool.”

“Mommy said we need to learn so we’ll be safe around water,” Steffi explained.

Jennifer got out of her car and joined them on the
sidewalk. “What are you doing out here, Nick? You should be inside writing!”

“Jen, I can’t write all the time. I need to be around other people, do things, not stay locked up in my apartment.”

“You do? Are you sure?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“But you didn’t say anything about that.”

“You didn’t give me a chance. You just hustled me out of your apartment before I could even explain.”

“I’m sorry.” She looked around, puzzled. “Have you been waiting for us to return just so you can tell me that?”

“Uh, no. I had a message to give you.”

“A message? From whom?”

“Your mother. She came in and wrote you a note when she couldn’t find you at home. That seemed to upset her.”

“Yes, she expects everyone to be at her beck and call,” Jennifer said, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. “So where’s the all-important message?”

“It’s inside. I’ll get it and bring it to your apartment.”

“Okay. I’m fixing sandwiches for lunch. Have you eaten?”

“No, but you don’t need—”

“It’s not a problem to fix an extra sandwich, Nick, and the girls have been complaining about not seeing you. Unless you need to get back to the computer, we’d love to have you join us.”

“Then I’ll gladly accept.”

He rejoined them in Jen’s kitchen, note in hand. “Here it is, Jen.”

She put down the food she was getting out for lunch and opened the note. After reading it, she crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash and continued making lunch.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

“Did you read it?”

“No. It wasn’t written to me.”

“You can be glad it wasn’t written to you.” She began putting the sandwiches together.

“Why?”

“Because it’s not her showing concern or offering to be a part of my new family. It’s an attempt to set me up with a man she thinks is perfect for me. As long as I get rid of—of complications,” she said, after a quick look at the girls.

“She’s still playing that old song?” Nick asked.

“She never changes.”

“What are you talking about?” Steffi asked.

“Nothing that needs to concern you, sweetie,” Jennifer said. “Have you told Nick about your ballet class?”

“Was it fun, Steffi?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, we learned some steps. Want me to show you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Me, too,” Missy said, jumping down from her chair. Both girls moved their feet to first position.

“Well done. You’re on your way, aren’t you?”

“Yes. We’re going twice a week,” Steffi told him.

“I want to show Nick my swimsuit,” Annie said, looking at Jennifer for approval.

“You can show him, but don’t try them on now. Lunch is almost ready.”

“Come on, Nick,” Annie said, taking his hand.

Nick followed Annie back to the living room where they’d left some packages. She dug through a big sack and pulled out a bright red swimsuit with blue, green and yellow stripes across the chest.

“My, that’s very pretty, Annie. I wouldn’t have thought you’d choose those colors.”

“Mommy said we needed bright colors so someone could see us in the water.”

“That’s good thinking. Once you learn to swim, maybe we’ll find a place with a swimming pool where you can show me. When do you start swimming lessons?”

“In the morning. We’re going to swim on the days we don’t go to ballet.”

“That’s very good. You’ll get a lot of exercise.”

Missy, who had followed them, added, “And we play with Blondie every day, too.”

“Where is Blondie?”

“In the backyard. She has her own doghouse and everything.”

“She has her doghouse and you have your swing set. Are you swinging a lot?”

Annie nodded. “Yep.”

“I like to climb up on the slide,” Missy said. “But Steffi makes me slide down.”

When Jennifer called, they all went to the table and enjoyed a good lunch together. Afterward, Jennifer sent the girls to their room to rest.

“You’ve done a lot since I was over here,” Nick commented.

“Not really. I just arranged swimming lessons for the girls.”

“And got a doghouse for Blondie.”

“I only bought one and had it delivered.”

“I just assumed Blondie would be an inside dog.”

“She can come in, but the girls like to go outside and play with her.”

“Okay,” he said as he gathered up the dishes and carried them to her at the sink.