Fudgeballs And Other Sweets by Lori Copeland Page B

Benedict?”
    â€œCornflakes.”
    They burst out laughing. Their amusement disturbed Dory, and Jenny went to the bedroom and brought her out.
    â€œLook who’s here.” She pointed toward Dave. “Wave to Uncle Dave.” She picked up Dory’s arm and wagged it back and forth. When the baby spotted Dave, she grinned and reached for him.
    â€œAh, women,” Dave sighed, “they can’t leave me alone.”
    Jenny made a face and handed Dory to him. “That’s understandable. You have your moments.”
    Cradling the baby in the crook of his arm, he tickled her under her chin. “You ever think about having kids of your own?”
    Jenny sank down on the sofa beside him, leaning close to look at Dory’s new teeth. Her bare arm brushed his. “I’ve thought about it, especially when I was with Brian Maybe someday. Right now I’m too busy to think about it.”
    â€œThe expansion?”
    She nodded. “What’s the old saying? When opportunity knocks, open the door.”
    â€œStrike while the iron’s hot,” he agreed, thinking she couldn’t have struck at a more opportune time. It was a sheer stroke of luck that she’d decided to move without being forced. She was going to be upset enough when he got around to telling her he owned the building.
    She tickled Dory under the chin and made her laugh. “Something like that.”
    â€œDon’t wait too long.” He watched her eyes light up as she played with the baby. “Having a child is the greatest thing that can happen to you.”
    She smiled. “Heard anything about your daughter?”
    He wasn’t going to bring that up. He’d come here to have a quiet dinner with a friend, but he’d be lying if he said Sam Freeman’s phone call hadn’t been on his mind all evening. Now that he was holding a baby in his arms, and all he could think about was Megan.
    â€œI got word today. Nancy remarried and they’re due back from their honeymoon the first part of September.” When he glanced at her he was surprised to see her eyes were misty.
    â€œCouldn’t you have Megan flown home earlier?”
    â€œI would if I could talk to her—or Nancy.” He felt his anger surface. “I have a few choice words I’d like to say to Nancy—like, what in the hell runs through your brain, dragging Megan all over Europe, cavorting with God only knows who?”
    â€œDave.” She laid her hand over his. “I’m sure your ex-wife wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the well-being of your daughter. After all, Megan is her child, too.”
    He held his breath, along with more angry words. She was right. Just the thought of Nancy set him on edge. Lifting Dory to his shoulder, he gently burped her. “Sorry—it’s just so damn frustrating. I don’t care that Nancy’s married one of the richest men in France. All I can think about is Megan being hauled around the world, living a life I know she hates. Megan likes to sleep in the same bed every night. She craves security.”
    She leaned back and rested her head against the sofa as she gazed at him. He wondered if that look meant she would be receptive to a kiss. Was she willing to see him as more than a helpful neighbor? Had Brian caused her to shy away from all men?
    â€œLife stinks sometimes.” She took a deep breath. “I thought my life was over when it finally dawned on me that Brian was never going to commit to marriage. I had planned for seven years to settle down with him, have a bunch of kids and live happily ever after.” She sighed. “But, if it’s any consolation, things have a way of working out. They did for me, anyway. What is it they say? God closes one door and opens another? Now things are going so well with Fudgeballs that I don’t have time for marriage, children or happily ever after.”
    He admired her outlook on life.