He cleared his throat. I, uh...I shouldnt have said you look like a raccoon.
She flinched, which wasnt the reaction hed hoped to get.
I have to be at the festival most of the weekend, he said. Want to come with me and check it out? When she shrugged noncommittally, he played the ace up his sleeve. Ben mentioned the other day that Grace and the other contestants on that reality show will be doing some live demonstrations. You want an in-person sneak peek? Who knowsif the camera crew pans the audience, maybe youll end up on TV, too.
She swiveled in her seat. You think so? That would be awesome.
I dont see why not. It happens at sporting events all the time. The producers might even interview people to get their opinion on the food. If theres one thing the festival has plenty of, its food.
What about rides? Eden asked. I love roller coasters.
Well, there arent any big coasters, but there are some carnival rides. He was giving her a rundown of attractions and scheduled events when they pulled up in front of the house.
Eden was engaged enough in the conversation that when he walked down the driveway to get the mail, she came with him rather than disappear into the house. A high-pitched Hey, Mister Zane! caused them both to turn at the same time.
In the driveway next door, Belle and her mother were walking toward their beater of a car. The vehicle was easily older than Eden. Hell, it might be older than him.
Even in the dim illumination provided by the streetlight, he could see Alex scowl. Now that hed had time to mull it over, he was almost certain she was going through a divorce. Maybe she was at that stage where she disliked all men. It was a more palatable explanation than her hating him personally, for no discernible reason.
Hey, Belle, he called back, not breaking stride as he proceeded to the mailbox. The Hunts were obviously on their way out, and he didnt plan to intrude on Alexs evening.
Whos the cute little kid? Eden asked.
Temporary neighbors, house-sitting for the people who live there. They moved in about the same time you got here. Too bad Belle wasnt a decade older. Then maybe she and Eden could commiserate about both being new girls.
Eden seemed unbothered by the age difference, though. She was already walking toward the other two females. Hi, she chirped. Im Eden Winchester. I like your crown!
Belle wore yet another tiarathis one paired with a feather boa. She preened at Edens compliment, but then frowned. Did you get hit in the face? I saw a movie where a bad guy got hit and his eye looked like that. But it was just one, not both.
Alex slapped a palm to her forehead. Thats not nice, Belle.
I didnt get punched, Eden said. Its makeup.
Oh! Belle brightened. I love makeup. I have a whole kit. Nail polish and lipstick and skin glitter. You should play makeup with me, and Ill show you how. Yours looks funny.
Like a raccoon? Eden flashed a grin over her shoulder, and Zanes heart squeezed in his chest. He felt as if he and his daughter shared a joke, as if they were finally a team rather than two opposing sides. Her smile bought years of memories cascading back. Thats the Eden I know.
He ambled toward the three women, suddenly loath to let the Hunts get away. Where are you ladies headed?
The store, Belle announced. Mommy forgot dinner.
I didnt forget, Alex insisted. I made a pot of homemade sauce, and its been simmering for hours. I just didnt realize we had no spaghetti. Im still not used to living out of someone elses pantry. At home, noodles are a staple.
Zane wondered where home was. I think I have spaghetti. Why dont you come over, and we can check?
She actually retreated, bumping into the side of her car. He was half-surprised the door didnt fall off the ancient sedan. Surely her former home was within a few hours drive. That clunker wouldnt have made it far.
Oh, no, Alex said in a rush. Belle and I dont want to impose.
Her daughter had other ideas. Yay! Can I pet Dolly? Come on, Mommy. She raced into the Winchesters driveway, telling Eden, I met Dolly the other yesterday. She likes me!
Eden nodded, her voice a pseudo-whisper. Dolly has very good taste. She only likes the most special people.
And the most fabulous, Zane thought with an inward smile. Perhaps he should feel guilty about their ganging up on Alex. She looked like shed rather drink strychnine than investigate the contents of his kitchen, but after all, he was trying to do the woman a favor. She and Belle were probably starving. Why drive all the way to the grocery store?
Its no imposition, Zane assured her. He gazed pointedly to the girls, who had linked hands, and lowered his voice. Dont look now, but I think youre outvoted.
Are you going to the festival? Eden asked Belle.
The little girls forehead puckered. Whats a festival?
Its a fair. There will be rides and performing animals and games to play.
I like animals! Belle turned wide eyes on her mother, imploring, Please? It sounds fun! I never get any fun.
Eden tousled the girls hair, knocking the tiara askew. You, either, huh?
One thing at a time, Alex said, a thread of desperation in her voice. Lets worry about getting some dinner into you. Well talk about the festival later.
So youll accept the offer to raid my pantry? Zane pressed.
Doesnt look like I have much choice.
It wasnt the most gracious thank-you hed ever received, but luckily for Alex, hed had a lot of recent practice with a grudging female. After a couple of weeks of Edens attitude, his neighbors surliness bounced right off him. As they approached his lawn, they could hear Dolly barking inside the house. Belle ran on ahead as if she could somehow get through the locked door.
Eden hung back long enough to confide, I always wanted a kid sister. But an adorable neighbor is good for now. Then she caught up to Belle, leaving her father startled.
Hed never thought about whether Eden wanted siblings or not. Both he and Valerie had been only children, so it had seemed natural to have just one. Besides, he and Valerie hadnt shared a bed much in the final years of their marriage, not after hed caught her sharing other mens.
Alex walked beside him, her stiff body language screaming her reluctance. Im guessing theres no wife at home to resent our intrusion?
He shook his head. Divorced single parent. You?
She was silent for a long minute, and he watched her gnaw at her bottom lip. Finally, in a tone so soft it was barely audible, she said, Widowed. Since last spring.
Her answer hit him with tangible force. Hed been so sure she was divorced or separated. It had never occurred to him Belles father might be dead.
Im so sorry, he said.
I...apologize if I havent seemed very neighborly. Its been hard. She gave a quick, brittle laugh. Understatement.
Well, if theres anything I can do, he offered. Spaghetti noodles. Car maintenance.
Thats kind of you, Mr. Winchester, but Belle and I have to learn to stand on our own feet.
An admirable sentiment. He crossed to his porch and unlocked the front door. Dolly practically knocked him down in her excitement.
Eden grabbed the dog by the collar. Belle and I will take her out back.
He motioned for Alex to come inside. After you. He couldnt help noticing how she tried to shrink her body as she passed him, flattening herself against the doorjamb to insure they wouldnt accidentally touch.
Though she clearly wasnt comfortable around him yet, maybe they could help each other. She was new in town and might need a tour guide of sorts. Their daughters had certainly hit it off; hed never seen Eden warm to someone so instantaneously. Alex Hunt might not think she was in the right state of mind to make new friends, but Zane resolved to prove her wrong. That smile Eden had flashed him when she made the raccoon remark still warmed him from the inside, like hot chocolate.
Im not a bad guy, he silently promised Alex. And I think youll grow to like me. He hoped so, anyway.
Because if he had anything to do with it, their families would definitely be spending time together.