About That Man by Sherryl Woods Page B

have pictures, don’t you?”
    He shook his head. “She took lots and lots of pictures of me, but we never took any of her.”
    Daisy heard a sound at the back door and looked up to see Walker standing there, his expression unreadable.
    â€œI have some photos you could have,” he said to Tommy as he came inside. “Of course, they were taken when Beth was just a girl.”
    Excitement and wariness warred on Tommy’s face. “You mean I could have ’em, like, forever?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Walker said, still standing just inside the door as if he were uncertain of his welcome.
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œThe minute I go home I’ll find them for you.”
    Tommy hung back, still tucked against Daisy’s side. “Am I gonna have to go away with you?”
    Walker cast a desperate look toward Daisy, then said, “That’s something we’ll have to talk about.”
    â€œI don’t want to,” Tommy said, his expression belligerent.
    â€œI can understand that,” Walker said.
    Tommy’s expression faltered. “You can?”
    â€œSure. You don’t really know me. And I don’t know you. That makes it a pretty scary prospect for both of us.”
    â€œI ain’t scared,” Tommy insisted.
    Walker barely managed to hide a smile. Daisy caught the quick twitch of his lips and admired the fact that he didn’t want Tommy to detect his amusement.
    â€œThen we’ll just leave it that I am,” he told Tommy.
    â€œDo you got any kids?”
    â€œTwo,” Walker told him, his expression sad. “They don’t live with me, though. They live with their mother in North Carolina.”
    â€œYou live by yourself?” Tommy asked. “Or do you have a girlfriend?”
    This time Walker did grin. “No girlfriend.”
    â€œHow come? You’re not too bad-looking.”
    Daisy chuckled at the massive understatement, then blushed when she caught Walker’s speculative gaze on her.
    â€œNo time,” Walker said. “That’s why my wife took the kids and moved away, because my job took up too much of my time.”
    Tommy seemed to be trying to absorb this, his expression intense. “Then you wouldn’t really have any time for a kid like me, either, would you?”
    Walker looked startled by his insight. “I’d make time, if that’s what we decide is best,” he promised.
    â€œWould you take me to a baseball game sometimes?” Tommy asked. “I like the Orioles a lot, but I’ve never been to see a game.”
    â€œWe could do that,” Walker said. “I like baseball, too.”
    â€œHow about fishing? Do you like to fish?”
    Walker nodded. “Do you?”
    â€œA whole lot,” Tommy said. “Mom didn’t. She thought the worms were disgusting. Sometimes she’d go with me, though, as long as I put the bait on her hook.”
    Walker nodded. “Sounds like a fair arrangement.”
    â€œI’ve got a boat,” Tommy announced. “It’s not much to look at. It’s just an old rowboat I found washed up on the beach, you know, before…”
    â€œBefore what?”
    â€œBefore my mom died. I haven’t had much time to work on it yet, but it don’t sink or nothing. I’m saving up to buy some paint for it.”
    He inched away from Daisy and approached Walker with caution. “I could take you to see it,” he said hesitantly. “If you wanted. Daisy and her brothers helped me bring it over here a couple of days ago. It’s down by the river.”
    â€œI’d like that,” Walker said.
    Tommy nodded solemnly, then turned to Daisy. “You want to come, too?” His expression brightened. “Maybe we could have a picnic. I’ll make the sandwiches, so it won’t be too much work for you.”
    Daisy chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Why don’t you and Walker go on ahead?