Random Acts by Alison Stone Page A

his father had lacked. Inwardly, he rolled his eyes. Perhaps Bunny overcompensated, inserting herself into all aspects of his life. Regardless, he’d be forever grateful to his mother for loving her granddaughter with all her heart. Without a mother, she desperately needed a female’s influence.
    His mind drifted to earlier this afternoon when he’d found Ava and Danielle playing in the leaves. He hadn’t seen his daughter so carefree in a long time. Had Danielle been responsible for the joy on Ava’s face? Something in his heart gave way.
    “ Dad ?” Ava tugged on his sleeve. “Are you listening to me?”
    “Of course, Snugglebugs. What’s up?’
    “I like Miss Danielle.”
    Patrick pressed another kiss to his daughter’s cheek and straightened. He studied Ava’s face in the shadows. “I like Miss Danielle too.”
    “Do you like her like you liked Mommy?” Ava rubbed a hand across her sleepy eyes.
    “I loved your mother very much.”
    “I know.” Ava rolled over and tucked a hand under her pillow and closed her eyes. “But when you first met Mommy, you must have liked her enough to ask her on a date.” Sleepy, she drew out her words. It amazed him his young daughter had such insight. A slight shiver went through him as he imagined his sweet precious daughter entering the dating world. It would have to wait until she turned twenty-one. He’d see to that.
    Patrick smoothed a hand across his daughter’s blonde hair. “Danielle and I were friends when we were in high school.” And I liked her very much . But between their youth and his disapproving mother, their relationship wasn’t meant to be.
    Ava yawned and snuggled into her pillow. “That’s nice.” Her voice came out on a sleepy yawn. “Night. God Bless.”
    “Night.” He backed out of the room and closed the door. “God Bless.” Patrick found Danielle waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs with her jacket on. A twinge of disappointment rippled through him.
    “Leaving already?”
    “It’s late.”
    He glanced at his watch. It wasn’t that late. “Can I get you some coffee? Maybe we can have it out on the porch. It’s a little chilly, but…” Patrick wasn’t ready to say goodnight.
    “I’m afraid if I have any more caffeine…” Danielle held out her trembling hand.
    “Come on.” He cupped her elbow and led her outside. “Let’s just sit and talk a few minutes.”
    Once settled on the wicker couch, Danielle hugged her jacket to her body.
    “Cold?”
    She shrugged. “I think my blood has thinned out.”
    “Do you like living in Atlanta? We spent some time in Fort Benning. After growing up in the Great White North, the mild temperatures were a nice change.”
    “Yeah, but I miss a good snowstorm. There’s nothing like snuggling up with a blanket by the fire with a good book while the wind howls outside, the snow piling up. The promise of the world stopping for just one day.” Danielle looked up, a soft smile playing on her lips under the moonlight. She shrugged, then stood up abruptly as if remembering where she was. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling. Did you have news about my sister?”
    “Not yet.” He hated not being honest with Danielle. He knew far more than he could let on. It was too risky to reveal Jenny had been a drug informant. If word got out, Jenny’s life would be in jeopardy. Jenny’s battered body flashed through his mind. He clasped his hands and rested his elbows on his knees. “We’re working on it.”
    “Well—” she dragged her hand along the porch railing, “—I really should go.”
    He reached out and took her hand, encouraging her to sit back down. “Listen,” he said, “Ava can get ideas sometimes.”
    Silence stretched between them.
    “You don’t have to go to the fall festival on Saturday. She can be persistent when she wants something.”
    Danielle laughed. “She reminds me of Jenny at that age. Since she knew she couldn’t talk my mom into anything, she’d always hit me