The Firefighter Daddy (9 page)

And that might not be for long. But he wasn't going to tell Aunt Betty for a while, not until he was ready to talk with his nieces. He wanted them to hear it from him. He'd be glad when his life was more settled. This past half year had been disruptive to a man who liked to have a schedule. Little was in his control.

“However it's supposed to work, it will.”

He hoped Sarah was right about that. “Since no one came forward about the lost kittens, if you hadn't taken them in, no telling what would have happened to them.”

She came up behind him and stood next to him, looking out at the girls. “I think they ended up in my yard for a reason. Somehow I think Nana will be able to keep Junior. She isn't really working much at the salon so this will give her something to do. According to my mother, when Nana physically couldn't stand for more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time and she quit taking clients, she went downhill fast. I think she's bored. Yes, she is forgetting things, but she seems depressed to me since I came home. Mom doesn't see it since it's happened gradually. She's enjoyed the times the girls are at our house. That's why we came home early yesterday so she could see them.”

“Yeah, I noticed they talked a lot to Nana. She's been telling them about her cat Sammy.” He glanced at Sarah. “I think we've done about all we can until our whole committee meets Tuesday at the luncheon. I'm going to tell Madison and Katie they need to pick their two kittens from the three not spoken for.”

“Good idea. Do you have the utility room fixed up yet?” She trailed behind him out the back door.

“No, and I probably should get it done today. Tuesday before I pick up the girls at school will be busy.”

“I'll go with you and show you what I'm using. If they have the same litter and food, the transition will be easier.”

“Sure, we can go right now if you want.”

“Sounds good. I have an idea. Is your aunt home?”

“Yes.” He slowed his pace then stopped before reaching his nieces. “What are you plotting?”

She laughed. “I've never been good at hiding what I'm thinking. I'm going to see if Betty would like to meet the kitten I have left to be adopted. If so, she could stay with the girls out here while we run to the store. I figure if she doesn't fall in love with the kitten by the time we come back, then I need to look for a home for it.”

“I don't know. She's going to have the kids tomorrow.”

“Then she'll say no. I still want her to see the kitten. And you're not doing the asking. I am.”

He turned his back on his nieces and leaned close. “And shopping with two little girls can test the best of men. I always walk out with more than I intended to buy. Some I didn't even realize were in the basket.”

“That can be a challenge.” She began to move toward the girls but stopped, looking up at him. “You're doing a good job. This time next year things will be different, more settled. Any change takes time. Even when I moved back to Buffalo, I had to adjust, and this was my hometown.”

Outside Liam joined his nieces, who had built a cardboard maze for the kittens and squatted to peek into the opening. Katie lay on her back with two kitties climbing all over her. One was playing with her long hair. Her giggles floated to him. Madison held the other kittens while Gabe stretched out beside her. She moved from one animal to the next, petting each of them.

Liam sat beside her on the ground. “If you could have a kitten, which one would you pick?”

“Buffy.” She pointed at the one she cradled in her lap.

“Buffy? How did you come up with that name?”

“After Buffalo. I live in the best town, but the full name was too much. Buffy fits her the best.”

“So you think she's a girl?”

“That's what Sarah thinks.” She glanced toward Sarah crossing through Aunt Betty's yard. “I like her. How about you?” She slanted a look at him.

More than he should. It wasn't easy keeping his feelings in check with someone like Sarah—so different from his ex-wife. “Yep, she's a nice lady.”

“Will I get to keep Buffy? Katie wants Blackie.”

“It would be tough to have to choose between those two. What do you think we should do?”

“Keep both?” Madison hugged Buffy against her chest.

“I like that suggestion. Sarah said we can bring them here on Tuesday after she takes them to the vet tomorrow.”

“We can!” Madison hopped to her feet and raced for the cardboard maze. “Katie, we get to keep both!” She disappeared inside while her sister squealed.

As Aunt Betty and Sarah headed toward Liam, Madison and Katie crawled out, each holding two cats, the biggest grins on their faces. Both charged across the yard and skidded to a halt in Sarah's path.

Liam watched them tell Sarah how excited they were while petting Gabe. “Hopefully things around your house will get back to normal soon. Most of your little guests will be gone.” Gabe cocked his head at Liam, the Lab's big brown eyes staring up at him. “But what's normal anymore?”

“Whatever the day brings,” Sarah said, suddenly stepping in front of him.

“Live for the present?”

“It's the only way to keep from losing your sanity, or at least I've been told.”

“Who?”

“Pastor Collins when I first returned to Buffalo. Worrying about the future is pointless and a waste of time and the past is over with and done. You can't have do overs, so why dwell on it?” Sarah knelt next to Gabe, giving him a hug.

“Good advice but hard to follow.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The past is what makes me who I am. My victories. My defeats.”

“True, but ultimately you decide who you are. You define yourself, not your past. That's something we actually can control.”

“I wish it was that easy.”

“I never said it was easy. There are things in my past that I'm still trying to work through.”

“Your husband's death?”

“Yes. I didn't realize how much coming home would bring up my memories.”

Katie hurried up to them. “Aunt Betty is taking a kitten!”

“That's great. Now all of them will have a home.”

Liam hadn't lost a spouse to death but to divorce. Dreams died that day. In his own way, he understood what Sarah was going through.

His youngest niece threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek then did the same to Sarah. “I can't wait until Tuesday. Blackie and me have been making plans. She's gonna sleep with me.” Then Katie dashed back to her sister and aunt.

“Speaking of sleeping, we need to go to the store. Betty said she could stay here while we go if we'll also pick up some for her. She's going to take her kitten tonight.” Sarah shoved to her feet. “Ready?” she asked as they headed for his car.

As Liam drove toward the supercenter, he asked, “What are you going to do about Nana's kitten on Tuesday when all the others are gone?”

“He's still too young to roam free. I wouldn't want him to get lost or hurt. I'm not sure what to do. I still want to see if it will work with Nana keeping him.”

Liam pulled into a parking space at the store, switched off the engine then shifted toward Sarah. “Since the other day when we talked, I've been thinking about it. I could temporarily take the kitten until you find a solution or, if not, another home for him. Your grandmother can visit with him anytime and maybe do some trial runs to see how the medication and shots work for your mother.”

“When he gets older, he can spend more time outside. I've been reading up on it. Sometimes restricting where the cat can be in a house helps and also restricting my mother's contact with him could help. Are you sure?”

“If I don't take him temporarily, you'll need to find a home for him until he's old enough to be an outside cat. So, yes, I'm sure. Friends help each other.” He wanted more than friendship with Sarah, and that troubled him. “You don't think a dog would work better for your grandmother?”

“She pets Gabe, but it isn't the same. The cat is a connection to her past.”

Liam opened the door. “All we can do is try it. If it doesn't work, you aren't any worse off.”

“I promise I'll have a solution in a couple of months. And if for some reason Nana loses interest, then I can find a home. I can think of a few ladies who get their hair done at the salon who might be interested.”

Liam waited for Sarah to get out and then they walked toward the store together. When their arms brushed against each other, he took her hand. She made him feel less alone in the world. Between Sarah and the Single Dads' Club, for the first time he thought everything would work out with him and his nieces.

Chapter Eight

L
iam sat on the bottom bleacher in the pool area at Buffalo High School. Madison and Katie were in the swimming class, and Britney Simmons was showing six girls how to do the breaststroke. Sarah helped the teacher as each student swam across the shallow end, practicing what had been demonstrated. Madison mastered it right away while Katie struggled, stopping halfway then restarting with Sarah's assistance. At the end of their time, Britney had them float on their backs, teaching them to relax.

Liam appreciated Sarah making sure his nieces got into a class where she was helping the teacher. When both of them heard Sarah would be there, too, they were excited. And, even though Katie was a little scared of the water, with Sarah there she'd gone right into the pool.

Every time he saw Sarah with Madison and Katie, he wondered if they could have a relationship beyond friendship. Madison and Katie needed a woman's touch—even Gareth had told him that on more than one occasion.

As the class exited the water, Liam shook away his thought of having more with Sarah. There was so much working against them. He needed to accept what wasn't going to be, to relish the time he would have with her and return to Dallas by the end of the year.

“Did you see me, Uncle Liam? I almost swam across the pool. Next time I will.” Katie grabbed her beach towel and wrapped it around her while Madison was talking with Sarah near the pool.

“You did a great job. This is only the first lesson. Wait until the next one. You'll be going everywhere.”

“Even in the deep end?”

“Yes, if you can swim, but you do know you never swim alone.”

“Miss Britney said that to us. There should always be an adult around who knows how to swim. Do you, Uncle Liam?”

“Yes, I helped your daddy learn how.”

Katie swept around and settled one hand on her waist. “C'mon, Madison. Blackie and Buffy will get lonely their first night at our house.”

Her older sister stuck her tongue out at Katie. “Hold your horses.” Madison flounced toward them.

“I don't have any horses. I have a kitten waiting for me to come home.” Katie poked her tongue out then turned her back on her sister.

Madison had been much better lately, but Liam prepared himself for one of her outbursts. He glanced at Sarah at the side of the pool, watching them, trying not to laugh.

Madison stopped in front of Liam. “I asked Sarah if she would let us ride with her on Thursday. She said yes. You'll be working. Can we?”

“The time to ask if you can was before you asked her. Aunt Betty is bringing you. It's all arranged.”

“But—”

Before Madison worked herself up, he added, “Besides, Sarah has another class after this one. See, the boys are coming in.”

“I told Sarah Katie and me could watch the boys' class. We might learn something.”

He started to give her a flat-out no, but then he thought instead he would first talk to Sarah. Aunt Betty hated to drive when it was getting dark. “I'll think about it.”

“Thanks, Uncle Liam. You'll see, it'll be okay.” Madison dug into the bag and pulled out her towel to dry off. “The next class doesn't start for ten minutes. Katie and me can wait here.”

In other words he should go talk to her now. Otherwise they probably wouldn't see each other until Monday when they were getting together to compare notes about the bachelor auction before the meeting that evening. He headed toward her.

Sarah came halfway to the end of the bleachers. “I have no problem with taking them on Thursday and the other times you're working.”

“Don't you have two classes before this one? Madison may think she and Katie will sit watching the one after theirs, but not through the two before. It's light enough at six thirty that I think Aunt Betty will be okay with bringing them. At least she said she would.” Liam pictured the lines of tension in his aunt's face as she'd agreed. “But it would be great if you could take them home afterward. Is that all right?”

“You're becoming quite the diplomat. That should make both Madison and Aunt Betty happy.”

“It's a necessity for a parent. I'm learning I have to pick my battles with the girls.”

“Not bad advice to follow in everything.”

“I thought Colt was bringing his daughter Beth for swimming lessons in their class.”

“Britney told me one of his horses became ill and he was waiting for the vet to show up. Beth will be here on Thursday. Do your nieces know her?”

“Yes, through the single dads' group.”

“Good. She'll know some of the girls.” Sarah glanced at a couple of the boys jumping into the pool. “That's my signal class is about to start. See you later.”

The smile that she threw him as she walked away lifted him, especially after a long day of trying to recruit a few firefighters and police officers to be bachelors in the auction.

“Let's go, girls.” Liam motioned for Madison and Katie to leave.

His nieces hurried to him, still wrapped in their towels.

“I can't wait to get home and see Blackie. I hope she wasn't too lonely while we were gone.” Katie raced ahead and exited first.

Madison quickly caught up with her. “At least they have each other. Poor Junior out in the shed by himself.”

The house was only ten minutes away from the high school, but they made a brief stop at a local fast-food place to grab a quick dinner at the drive-through. As Liam pulled into their driveway, the porch light was on because it was almost dark. Liam punched the garage door opener.

“Look! Gabe is here!” Madison pointed toward the porch.

The Lab came to his feet, his tag wagging.

“Girls, hop out and keep Gabe on the porch while I park in the garage.”

When he slid from the front seat, he headed for his nieces while retrieving his cell phone from his pocket. As he mounted the steps, he placed a call to Sarah and left a message, since she was still helping with the swimming lessons.

Madison and Katie flanked Gabe, who sat between them. His oldest niece held his collar, although he didn't think the Lab would run away. He had purposefully come here. But why?

“He's sad. He misses Blackie and Buffy.” Katie stroked her hand down his long back. “Like we miss him and the other kittens.”

“You've seen Aunt Betty's.”

“She let us name her Sadie. That was the one I said.” Madison straightened her shoulders and tilted her chin up.

Katie stopped petting Gabe and scooted around to face her sister. “Only cuz you said your name first. There was nuthin' wrong with Peppy.”

“That's no name for a girl cat.”

Before they started arguing he decided to try a technique one of the men in the single dads' group suggested—divert attention. “We need to get inside and check on your kittens. They'll be glad to see Gabe.”

Both girls charged into the house, heading for the kitchen.

His cell phone rang. It was Sarah. “Gabe is fine. He's here.”

“I can't believe he got out again. I thought we patched the fence. Obviously chicken wire didn't work. I'm leaving now. See you in a few minutes.” Her exasperation rang clearly in her voice.

When Liam entered the kitchen and put the bag of hamburgers on the counter, Gabe lay on the floor with the kittens climbing on him. Katie was probably right. He missed his pals.

“See, Uncle Liam.” His youngest niece pointed toward the Lab. “I could tell. His eyes were sad. Now he isn't. He should stay the night.”

“Yeah, she's right. We should have a sleepover,” Madison said to Gabe, but the words were for Liam.

This was a battle he would have to fight. “Sarah is on her way to get him. Gabe is her dog. In time he'll forget about Blackie and Buffy.”

Katie stuck her lower lip out. “No, he won't. And he won't forget us. He loves us.”

“I agree. Gabe loves you all, but he still belongs to Sarah.” He didn't want to get into an argument again over keeping the Lab. “We need to eat our dinner while we wait for Sarah to come. Go wash your hands.”

Reluctantly they hurried to the downstairs bathroom while Liam set the food on the table. He managed to eat half of his burger before the doorbell rang. The girls jumped to their feet.

“Stay and finish eating. I'll answer the door.”

* * *

Sarah had gone by her house first and, sure enough, Gabe had destroyed the chicken wire over the hole in the fence. She'd made sure that Junior was safely in the shed then walked over to Liam's with her leash.

When the door swung open, a frustrated Liam stood in the entrance. “Prepare yourself. The girls want Gabe to spend the night.”

“I realize Gabe knows where your house is, but why did he come here?”

“Katie thinks he missed the kittens.”

Sarah came into the entry hall and faced him. “Even more reason not to let him stay. I can't reinforce Gabe getting out and going where he wants.” The last time she went through three days of anguish wondering where Gabe was. She wasn't going to lose him if she could help it.

“I totally agree with you. In fact, if you want, I'll come down tomorrow and see if I can fix the fence while the kids are at school.”

“What needs to be done most likely is to replace the boards. If you have to buy any supplies, I'll reimburse you their cost. There are about ten rotten boards at the bottom. Our runoff water flows through there.”

“No problem. I'll take a look and take care of fixing the fence. I have a stake in this, too. Every time Gabe comes here, I become the bad guy to my nieces.”

“Let's change that tonight. I'll firmly let them know Gabe stays at my house. Where are the girls?”

“In the kitchen finishing their dinner.”

Sarah made her way down the hall. She could never explain how important Gabe was to her without telling Madison and Katie about losing her unborn child and husband. And that was something they didn't need to know. They were still dealing with their father's death. She didn't like talking about the miscarriage because, deep down, she still felt she could have avoided it if she'd paid more attention. Her mother didn't even know how she felt. It was a secret she couldn't tell another, but the knowledge that things could have been vastly different plagued her.

“Sarah!” Both girls shouted at the same time.

Madison dropped her last bite of hamburger and hurried to her. “Gabe is all right. We've been taking good care of him.”

Katie tried to wheedle between her sister and Sarah. “He's happy now that he sees Blackie and Buffy.”

With a smile Sarah clasped each one's shoulder. “I never worry about him when he's with you.” Then she called Gabe to her side. “I wish I could stay and talk more about what you thought of your first swimming lesson, but I need to take him home. I can't have him thinking he can run away anytime he wants and get rewarded by staying. Now that you have your own pets, you'll find out what I mean.”

Her eyes wide, Katie shook her head. “No, I won't ever let Blackie run away.”

“Me, too, with Buffy.” Madison held her kitten against her chest, petting it.

“Those kittens have very special owners. See you Thursday at swimming.” Sarah hugged Madison and Katie then started for the hallway.

“Uncle Liam needs a hug, too,” Katie called out.

Heat suffused Sarah's face as she slowly looked toward Liam. She gave him a quick embrace, the whole time thinking of the kiss he'd given her. “Bye.”

As she hurried toward the entryway, Liam wasn't far behind her. She kept her head forward, her cheeks still flaming. At the front door she turned around, one hand gripping the knob. “I shouldn't have done that.”

He closed the space between them. “I'm glad you did. I can always use a hug. It's been a difficult six months, and I have a feeling it has been hard for you since you came back to Buffalo. Am I right?” One eyebrow lifted.

She gave him a nod then grappled with opening the door. Ten seconds later she scurried down the steps and, with Gabe by her side, rushed home before she went back to Liam, threw her arms around him again and kissed him. As she'd hugged him, she'd wanted more. She didn't deserve it. She'd survived the wreck while Peter and her baby died. Why hadn't she died?

What do You want me to do, Lord?

No answer formed in her mind. She was here and needed to do the best job she could.

As she approached her home, she saw it was all lit up. Was something wrong? Mom rarely had that many lights on. Sarah quickened her pace and let herself into the house by the front door.

“Mama, is that you?” Her mom came from the living room, deep lines marking her face in worry and exhaustion. Her brows scrunched together and her eyes darkened. “Nana isn't in her bedroom. I've looked everywhere and I can't find her.”

“The door was locked when I came in. Did she leave her purse in her room?”

“Yes.”

“Let's check to see if her keys are in it.” Tightness expanded in Sarah's chest as she hastened to Nana's bedroom. She looked in her grandmother's bag that went everywhere with her. As Sarah dug around in it, her fingers clasped the keys at the bottom, and she held them up. “Then she should be here or...she's in the garage or in the backyard. We should search there first.”

“I'll look in the garage and the cars.” Her mom made her way toward the kitchen.

“I'll be out back.”

When Sarah came outside, she paused and scanned the yard. The bright floodlight on the deck illuminated many dark crevices but not all. Her gaze fell on the shed, a slither of light peeking out from under its door. She'd turned it off when she put Junior in there for the night. She'd had to listen to his whines as she walked away. She'd needed to go get Gabe at Liam's, but she'd intended to come back and play with Junior and her Lab for a while.