It All Started With a Lima Bean (15 page)

“Well Pumpkin, you have a mommy and Miss Abby is a friend.” He placed the picture back on top of her dresser then looked over his shoulder as he rummaged through her drawer.

“But Daddy, I really like her, and she’s pretty. Don’t you think she’s pretty?” The inquisitive look on her cherub face nearly broke his heart into pieces.

He grabbed her pajamas. “Well yeah I think she is pretty, but it’s more complicated than that Sweetie.”

“Why?” She started undressing as he approached.

“Honestly I don’t know why. It just is.”

“Hmm one of those growed up things that makes no senses?” She threw her balled up summer dress onto the floor.

He chuckled. “Yeah us growed ups don’t make a lot of senses sometimes huh?” She shook her head no as he slipped her nightgown over her head.

“Well, you get to sleep.” He rustled her hair back and forth then placed a kiss on her forehead. “I love you munchkin.”

“I love you too daddy. Goodnight.”

Caleb turned off her lamp then closed the door as he walked out of her room. Rubbing his face with his hands again, he walked into his bedroom and tried to figure out what he was going to do. This was one of the many reasons he didn’t date. He had to consider his daughter’s feelings above all else. She was his responsibility, and he couldn’t screw this up. He sat on the edge of his bed, took his shoes off, and tossed them toward the closet. He decided to change into sweat pants and a clean t-shirt before heading downstairs.

Bri came out of the guest room wearing loose fitting pants, an enormous t-shirt, and fluffy socks just as he hit the bottom stair.

“Guess we had the same thing in mind.” He gestured between them and their now laid back attire.

“So cuzz, tell me more.” She pulled him toward the large leather couches, motioning for him to sit with her.

He pursed his lips then looked up. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“I don’t believe that for one minute.” She swatted his shoulder. “Did you see her face when she thought I was someone else? Her poor eyes almost bugged out of her head, and then she took off running. And you couldn’t make your attraction to her more obvious if you tried.”

“I don’t know what to do here. She is so good with Madison. And beautiful. Oh god is she beautiful.” He put his head back on the sofa.

“Yes she is extraordinarily beautiful Caleb, but I know that you see more. I can read it on your face. You like her.” Caleb lifted his head and gave her a defeated look. “It’s okay. It’s time you find someone. Rene would want that. You know she would.” This was the third person to tell him the exact same thing.

“I have to think about Madison now.”

“Yes you do, and Abby sounds like a perfect answer to that. You just said yourself how good she is to her, and Madison obviously adores her too. What’s the problem?”

“I don’t know; I just have to think about it more, that’s all.” He gave her a sly look. “So what’s going on with you? Why are you leaving again?”

“John is taking me to Barcelona.”

“Because you haven’t been there before?” He gave her a knowing look. She was always running, and it worried him.

She scrunched up her face, “No. Because he likes me and respects my choices.”

“Does he?”

“Yes Caleb, he does. He’s a nice guy, and our fathers play tennis together.”

“How romantic. You know I’m just concerned about you.”

“Oh stop. Not all of us can meet our perfect mate twice in our lifetime like you, Caleb.”

He ignored her comment. “What about Stefen? How is he doing?”

“Uh, my brother is the same womanizing manwhore as ever. He gets so mad if he thinks someone is trying to get me in the sack while he goes around town sowing his wild oats. Such a hypocrite.” She shook her head feigning annoyance, but the affectionate look in her eyes said she appreciated her brother’s concern.

“He’ll see one day. Stefen can’t go on like this forever Bri, and neither can you. I know our parents and their pretentious world didn’t give us the best example of how to be completely healthy, functioning adults, but there is a time to grow up and you guys need to get to that point.”

“How did we go from talking about your love life to bashing Stefen’s and mine?” Bri scowled. Caleb knew she loved him, but he just might be pushing her too far tonight.

“I’m not bashing. I’m really worried about you guys. You are always running Bri, and I don’t understand why. You know how much I would love it if you would move out here.”

“I know, but this town isn’t for me. I don’t mind visiting, but I need to travel, to see the world.” She brought her knees up to her chest and placed her head on her knees as she hugged them.

“I think it’s more than that Bri. You were fine staying in one place until college. What changed?” He sat back further in the couch, waiting for her answer. They were close, and there was no reason for her to keep anything from him.

“I just saw that there was a bigger world than the one I was living in.”

Leaning his elbows onto his knees, he looked back. She continued to sit with her arms wrapped around her legs. “But there is always a different guy attached to each new adventure. I hope you are being safe.”

Her head popped up. He’d offended her. “Caleb! Please. I do not sleep with these guys. They are just companions to have fun with. Besides, they leave when they realize they aren’t getting anything more from me. That’s why there are so many of them if you must know.”

“Good to know. Maybe if you settled somewhere you could meet someone who is stable and isn’t just trying to get into your pants.” His home phone rang.

“Maybe. But I’m not ready for that yet.”

“Maybe? I’ll take that.” He picked up the portable phone on the side table and looked at the caller I.D. “Speak of the devil.” Placing his sock clad feet up on the coffee table, he crossed his legs and answered the phone. “Hey, your ears must be burning. We were just talking about you.” Caleb winked at Bri still seated next to him.

“I can only imagine the awesome things you must be saying then.” Stefen’s low chuckle sounded from the phone’s earpiece.

“Not quite Mr. Arrogant. What’s up?”

“I wanted to talk to Bri before she left, but I’m glad you answered. You’re coming out here for Thanksgiving, right?”

“Damn, that’s right. This year it’s out there isn’t it?” He hated going to his parents’ house for the holidays. There was always a drunken argument about some non-sense. Every. Single. Time.

“Yes it is, and don’t you dare try to get out of it. It’s the only way I can get you to bring Madison out here.” Although he only saw her a couple of times a year, Stefen had fallen in love with Madison when he and Bri had to step in to help Caleb out after Rene died.

“You could always come out here you know?” The couch dipped then flattened again as Bri got up. Caleb whispered, “He wants to talk to you in a minute.”

She mouthed back, “Of course he does,” then rolled her eyes on the way to the downstairs guest room.

Stefen spoke again. “Nice try, but we are working a massive case right now and it’s not ending anytime soon. It’s one of the most intense cases I’ve ever worked, and these people are ruthless.” Something in his voice made Caleb feel uneasy. Stefen never let a case get him so worked up. He normally acted more conceited about his ability to win them in record time.

“Yeah, we’ll be there. Can we plan to stay at your house? I don’t want my parents to have the option of offering. Not that they would.” He paused for a moment. “We won’t be cramping your style though, will we? You know I don’t want Madison exposed to your way of life.”

Stefen huffed. “Yeah, you can stay and no, you won’t cramp my style. I’m working on a sweet girl right now, but this case is kicking my ass so I can take a break until after the holidays.”

Caleb huffed. He wasn’t about to get into it with his cousin again over his womanizing lifestyle, but it still annoyed Caleb. “Fine.”

“Good. Can I talk to my sister before she leaves the country with that prick?” Caleb imagined Stefen puffing up his chest. He didn’t even see his hypocrisy.

He’d spent a week trying to process his feelings for Abby and was still coming up blank. Caleb was undeniably attracted to her and felt extremely protective, but he was still unsure of what he should do. He planned to play everything by ear for now because he didn’t want to lead her on if he decided not to act on it. He was very concerned about Madison’s growing affection for her. He couldn’t break his little girl’s heart by starting something he wasn’t even sure he could continue. He knew if Madison wasn’t a factor, he would have moved forward with Abby months ago.

Caleb hurried his little girl out of the front door. He held in a laugh while watching her run in front of him to their parked SUV. One of his favorite things about Madison taking ballet was seeing the way her little tutu bounced up and down exposing her cute little tushy whenever she moved. She’d taken dance lessons for the past couple of years. Grace insisted, and he didn’t mind except that all the other little girls’ moms flirted endlessly with him. These were the same moms from Madison’s school unflatteringly nicknamed the ‘Power Moms’. They walked around school in their power sweat suits with sparkly words on their behinds, hooker make-up, silicone-filled lips, and never without a latte in hand. To most guys, the flirting and innuendoes would be a welcomed thing, but he couldn’t stand it. Not only did he think it was inappropriate for married women to flirt with him but even if they weren’t married, he simply wasn’t interested.

It wasn’t as pathetic as it used to be though because he’d gotten the message through to one of the most aggressive of the women at the girls’ last recital. Her husband had been there this particular time and Caleb decided to give her a taste of her own medicine. He kept his eyes on her when the husband wasn’t looking and made sure she was caught flirting back. He didn’t think that plan through too well though because her husband confronted him afterward. He was able to talk the guy down and thankfully, the other family ended dropping out of the class. It sent a much-needed message to the other moms.

Caleb looked in the rearview mirror and noticed Madison staring out the window lost in thought. “You awake there Pumpkin?”

“Yeah Daddy, I’m just thinkin’.” She looked as if she was pondering something.

“Oh? What were you thinkin’?” He smiled at her word.

“I just wunnered if I will ever have a Mommy that can take me to ballet like my friends and do girl things, that’s all.” She pursed her lips.

A stabbing feeling cut into his heart. It still amazed him how easily this little girl could innocently yank such strong feelings out of him. “Honey would you rather Grammy take you to ballet because she’s a girl?”

“No Daddy, I love when you take me. I just wish I had a mommy to take me too.”
Well damn.
He wasn’t going to be of any use today. She was not trying to hurt his feelings at all. She was just being a kid. Honest.

They pulled up to the dance studio with plenty of time to spare. Leah caught his eye when she stepped out of the white van they’d taken to her cousin’s wedding the week prior. She was dressed in a thin long red dress used for dancing. She was struggling to carry a few yoga balls. After parking, he jumped out to offer her help. “You need a hand with those?”

She looked up flustered, “Oh hey, Caleb. What are you doing here?” She tried to balance one ball on each hip while holding onto them for dear life. He grabbed one then went back to his car to let Madison out.

“This little princess takes ballet here.” Madison jumped out landing her little feet on the asphalt in the parking lot.

“Hi, Sweetie.” Leah leaned down a little as Madison stood close to her daddy offering a tiny wave. “Do you remember me? I’m Miss Abby’s best friend, Leah. We had lunch together at the Chowder Festival. “

A beautiful smile broke out on her little face at the mention of Abby’s name. “Of course I member you, silly. Do you take classes here too?”

“No, I’m here to help some special friends learn how to exercise while they dance.”

“Are they special because they are your best friends like Miss Abby? I have two best friends named Casey and Emily.” Madison held her interlaced fingers in front of her body as she swayed back and forth.

“Well they are my friends, but the reason I called them special is because they have the biggest hearts. Even though they may look or act different on the outside, they each have their own special powers.”

Surprised glee covered her face. “Like fairies? I love fairies.”

“No. These friends have the power to heal other people’s sad hearts because they love everyone no matter what. Most of them have the power to make people think a little harder about what is really important in life.”

Taking in an excited breath, Madison turned to Caleb. “Daddy, can I meet her super friends?” She bounced on the balls of her ballet slipper covered feet.

Leah glanced at Caleb. “If it’s ok with Leah, I think it would be fantastic.”

With a huge smile spread across her face, Leah urged them to go into the studio.