Face Value by Cheryl Douglas Page B

they were sizing her up,
trying to establish whether she was really just their father’s
friend or something more. She couldn’t blame them. She would have
had the same questions. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m joining you
today?” She wondered whether they would be resentful, since they
got so little time with their father.
    “No, it’s
cool,” Mason said, reaching into the plastic bag. “You want one?”
He offered Lauren a bottle of water.
    “Sure, thanks.”
She saw Monica looking at her.
    “Are you a
model?” Monica asked, tipping her head to the side.
    “No, why?”
    “You’re pretty
enough to be a model.”
    “Thank you,
sweetie.” Lauren was grateful they didn’t seem resentful. In fact,
they seemed charming.
    “Well, are we
ready to go?” Tucker walked to his SUV to open the passenger’s door
for Lauren.
    “I am.” Lauren
smiled her thanks at Tucker, and he winked at her.
    No matter how
often she told herself to shield her heart, she felt him chipping
away at the armor, probably without even realizing it. Every time
he smiled or winked at her… when she heard his laugh… and when she
saw him as the attentive father who clearly adored his kids. She
loved every facet of his personality, except for his temper.
    They chatted
all the way to the mall. Mason told her about his hockey team, and
Monica chimed in about her upcoming dance recital. They told her
about school and their teachers and the sports and camps they had
planned for summer vacation. She adored them already. They were
sweet and funny, with a typical sibling relationship involving a
lot of teasing and arguing.
    For the most
part, Tucker just listened and observed Lauren’s interaction with
them. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking, but he
gave nothing away.
    By the time
they found a parking spot at the nearest mall, Monica was bouncing
in her seat. “This is gonna be so much fun.”
    “This is gonna
be torture,” Mason groaned.
    “I have an
idea,” Monica said with a sparkle in her eye. “Why don’t you come
with me, Lauren, and Dad can go with Mason.” She wrinkled her nose.
“They like sporting goods stores.”
    Tucker shifted
in his seat to look at his daughter. “I thought the whole point of
this little excursion was so that you could show me what you want
for your birthday.”
    “I can show
Lauren, and she can fill you in.”
    Tucker looked
at Lauren. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
    “Works for me,”
Lauren said, smiling. She would love some girl time with Monica.
The little girl was so enthusiastic about everything; maybe her
excitement would take Lauren’s mind off Tucker for a while. Her
brain could use the rest.
    “Yes!” Mason
said, pumping his fist in the air.
    Tucker pointed
at a family-style restaurant just outside of the main doors. “Why
don’t we meet back here at one and grab a bite to eat?”
    “Sounds good to
me.” Lauren reached for her door handle.
    Tucker grabbed
her forearm. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “Not at all.
It’ll be fun.”
     
    ***
     
    Tucker was
horrified when Lauren and Monica returned carrying half a dozen
shopping bags and giggling like life-long friends.
    “What did you
do?” he asked, scowling at his daughter.
    Monica sobered
as soon as she turned her big brown eyes on him. Sinking her teeth
into her bottom lip, she said, “I didn’t ask Lauren to buy me
anything, Daddy. I swear.”
    Lauren jumped
to her defense. “She’s telling the truth, Tucker. It’s nothing
really, just some nail polish, lip gloss, pajamas, sparkly sweats…”
Her voice trailed off when Tucker glared at her.
    “You shouldn’t
have done that.” Tucker couldn’t be mad at Lauren; she was way too
cute. And he knew her heart was in the right place. “I’m paying for
it.”
    “But-”
    He held his
hand up to silence her. “I appreciate the gesture, Lauren, but she
can’t accept these gifts from you.”
    Lauren let out
a gusty sigh before her bottom