Daddy Next Door

When he got back to the children’s department in the store in which they’d been shopping, he didn’t see any of them. But as he drew closer to the dressing room, he heard their voices.

“I want to go outside with Nick,” Missy complained.

“Nick is putting our bags in the car. I need you to try on this outfit, Missy. I think it will look very nice on you.”

“But—”

“Missy, try on these clothes. Then we’ll go see if Nick is back and you can sit with him. Or maybe he can help you find some Sunday shoes and some sandals.”

“I get two new pairs of shoes?” Missy asked in astonishment. “But I already have these.”

He could picture Missy sticking out her feet to show Jennifer her tennis shoes.

“Just try on the clothes. Here, let me help you.”

He didn’t hear much until Missy spoke up again after a few minutes. “Now can I go see if Nick is back?”

“Yes, I’ll take you out there. Steffi, you and Annie stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“I’m here, Jennifer,” Nick called. “Just send Missy out. I’ll take care of her.”

Instead, Jennifer came out with Missy. “Would you mind taking her just across the aisle to find Sunday shoes and sandals?”

“Sure. About what would you like to spend?”

She looked at him blankly. Then she shook her head. “I don’t know what little girls’ shoes cost. Probably something under fifty. I’ll come pay for them in a minute.”

Nick shook his head as Jennifer went back into the dressing room. He guessed she didn’t have to worry about money. Fifty dollars for kids’ shoes? He could do better than that.

In fifteen minutes, he had chosen black patent leather shoes and white sandals for Missy. She was so excited, he had trouble keeping her from charging across the aisle to show Jennifer before he paid for them.

When they got back to the dressing room, he sent Missy in to find Jennifer.

Jennifer came out at once. “Did you tell them I’d be there in a minute to pay for them? I didn’t think—”

“I paid for them, but I kept the receipt so you can pay me back. It was just easier that way.”

“Oh. I shouldn’t— I didn’t think— Thank you. I’ll write you a check when we get a moment.”

“Good. Now, are you ready for me to take one of the others shoe shopping?”

Jennifer frowned. “Annie is ready, but…”

“I’ll be very gentle with her and bring her back at once if she gets uneasy, I promise.”

“I’ll go ask her.”

In a minute, Jennifer came back out, holding Annie’s hand. “See, Annie? The shoes are just over there. Nick will take you to try some on. Then you can come right back here if I haven’t gotten over there yet.”

“Okay,” Annie whispered.

Nick thought it was a big step for Annie to trust him. He smiled warmly and offered his hand. It would be the first time he had touched her. Her big brown eyes held a lot of fear and hurt, but she slowly put her hand in his.

“Same shoes for her?” Nick asked softly.

Jennifer nodded. “I liked your choices for Missy, by the way. I don’t think she intends to take the sandals off even when she goes to bed tonight.”

Nick grinned. “She did seem to like them. We’ll try to find shoes that will make Annie smile, too. Right, Annie?”

She just stared at him.

He led her over to the shoe section and they looked at what was available in her size. Nick patiently waited for her to make her selection, but she kept watching him, as if afraid she’d anger him if she made the wrong choice.

“Annie, all these shoes are what Jennifer wants you to wear, so you can choose whichever you want to try on. There aren’t any bad choices. Just pick the ones you like most.”

More silence.

He waited patiently.

Finally Annie pointed to a pair of the dress shoes.

“Good. Are there any others that you want to try on?”

She shook her head. Her hand was trembling in Nick’s. He knew this was a big step for Annie. He settled her in a chair and got the saleswoman to bring her size. He also asked for three pairs of sandals to be brought out, all in styles different from Missy’s. He’d learned with the triplets to get everyone something different, something that suited their unique personalities.

Annie was quite different from Missy. She showed her enthusiasm with a quiet smile, by touching the shoes in a way akin to a caress. In no time she approved the shoes and picked out a pair of sandals.

“I like these,” she whispered, looking down at her newly shod feet.

“Okay, good choice, Annie,” he told the little girl, and paid for her shoes. Then he took her back to the dressing room and let her go show Jennifer.

Jennifer came out without Annie. “You did a great job. She’s overcome with excitement.”

“She has quiet excitement, doesn’t she?”

“Yes. I worry that she’ll explode if she doesn’t learn to express her feelings more like Missy.” Then Jennifer grinned. “But I’ll admit I might enjoy her excitement better than Missy’s some of the time.”

“I know. One of the triplets, Elizabeth, was very quiet, too. But she blossomed later.”

“You really do have triplet sisters?”

“Yes. Did you doubt me?”

“It just seemed such a perfect story to make me accept you. I began to doubt it as I thought about everything.”

He smiled. “Well, it really is true. Is Steffi ready for shoes?”

“Yes, we all are. I’ll go get everyone.”

After Steffi made her choices and Jennifer bought the shoes, they headed for the car, loaded down with packages again.

“It’s a good thing I’m a great packhorse, isn’t it?” Nick teased Jennifer as they reached the car. “And a good thing that you have a minivan. Otherwise, all these packages wouldn’t fit.”

“They’ll all fit. If they don’t, the girls can put them under their feet.”

“I was teasing. But you did buy a lot.”

“But the girls had next to nothing. Their clothes were worn hand-me-downs. Missy was so excited last night that she didn’t have to share a nightgown.”

“They put two kids in one nightgown?” Nick asked in astonishment.

“No. Quit teasing me. They had a community pile of nightgowns. She didn’t get the same nightgown every night.”

“And now she has a choice of nightgowns, all belonging to her?”

“Yes, and her sisters do, too. They all have enough clothes for the rest of the summer. In the fall they’ll be fitted in school uniforms. At least, Steffi and Annie will. Missy will go to a preschool. They don’t wear uniforms there.”

“What school are they going to?”

“Hockaday. It’s where I went to school.”

“Okay, I don’t have to ask if you’re counting your pennies if that’s where you’re sending the girls,” Nick said with a laugh.

“I don’t think I ever said I was,” she replied stiffly.

“No, but I did wonder as the number of packages grew.”

Straightening her back and lifting her chin, Jennifer turned on her heels, mumbling something about checking the girls’ seat belts.

What was it about her financial status that angered Jennifer? This was the second time she’d balked when he brought up money. He made a mental note to steer clear of any further comments.

He closed the back of the minivan and hustled around to the passenger seat. He figured he’d better get in before she drove off without him.

On the ride home there was no conversation, until Jennifer pointed out a grocery store.

“There’s the one where I shop,” she said. “It’s only a short distance from the fourplex.”

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll go later today.”

When they reached the fourplex, Nick began gathering packages to carry in to the apartment. Jennifer also came around to the back of the minivan with the girls and gave them each a package to carry in. She gave Steffi the key to unlock the doors.

“Sorry, I should’ve thought of that,” Nick said softly after the girls headed toward the apartment. “It was smart on your part to encourage them to help.”

Jennifer raised her eyebrows and put a palm to her chest. “You mean I did something right? With all your experience, Mr. Barry, I guess you would know, wouldn’t you?”

“Are you making fun of me, Jennifer?”

“Well, you do seem to think you know better than me.”

She was baiting him, but he refused to bite. Instead he complimented her. “Just goes to show that your instincts are good even if you’ve never had kids before.”

Before she could reply, another car pulled into the small parking lot.

“Uh-oh,” Jennifer muttered.

Nick looked at the other car. “Is there a problem?”

“Not for you. It’s just my mother.”

He looked at the woman getting out of the car. She had Jennifer’s blond hair, but hers looked artificial. She was dressed in a chic suit and heels, and she wore a lot of gold jewelry. She also wore a frown.

“Jennifer,” she called sharply.

“Yes, Mother?”

“Have you lost your mind?” her mother demanded, ignoring Nick, as she approached them.

“I don’t think so.”

“My brother just complimented me on my daughter’s social conscience! When I assured him I didn’t know what he was talking about, he informed me that you have applied to adopt three little girls! I won’t have it! You must stop this at once!”

“I won’t do that, Mother.”

“But I won’t have it! You’ll ruin your life!”

“I’m going to adopt the girls. I believe I’m doing the right thing. And I won’t let you tell me what to do!” Jennifer finished with passion in her voice.

“It’s your grandmother’s fault, isn’t it? She made this possible. Otherwise, I’d just cut off your allowance and you’d do what I said!”

“You tried that once, Mother, before Grandmother left me anything, and it didn’t work then. It won’t work now. I make my decisions, not you!”

“But, darling, you haven’t thought this through. What man will even look at you with three kids tugging on your coattails?”

“I would,” Nick said softly, hoping he wasn’t going to upset Jennifer.

Jennifer’s mother whirled around and stared at him as if seeing him for the first time. “Who are you?”

“He’s Grace’s nephew and he’s leasing the apartment across from me,” Jennifer said quietly. “He’s a teacher.”

“Oh, then he doesn’t count. That’s not what I have planned for you. Jonathan Davis has shown some interest. But if I tell him about the girls, he’ll change his mind.”

“Good. I have no interest in Jonathan Davis.”

“But, Jennifer, his father is the president of the CMX Corporation. He’s worth millions, and his father is worth even more! He’s perfect.”

“Then I suggest you marry him, Mother, because I have no interest in him!”

“Jennifer, have you lost your mind?” her mother demanded, her hands on her hips, glaring at her daughter.

With her lips pressed tightly together, Jennifer gathered up the last of the packages and closed the back of the minivan. “I have nothing more to say to you, Mother. I can’t invite you in because the children would be upset. I’ll call you sometime soon.”

“You mean I’m not invited into your home?” her mother screamed, outraged.

“That’s exactly what I mean! Come on, Nick.” Jennifer headed for the front door.

Nick did as she ordered, not bothering to argue with her. He certainly didn’t want to have any conversation with the woman who had blown him off. He might no longer be a teacher, but that didn’t mean he thought teachers should be so easily dismissed.

When they got into Jennifer’s apartment, she collapsed on the sofa, her energy apparently spent in the argument.

The girls came running in, eager to open the packages.

Nick said, “Girls, can you help me take the packages to your bedroom? Your mom is a little tired and needs to rest a few minutes.”

Missy and Steffi agreed at once and began gathering packages to take to their bedroom. Annie first went to Jennifer and touched her on her hand, looking at her with big eyes.

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” Jennifer said, hugging the little girl. “I just need a few minutes, okay?”

Annie nodded and picked up the leftover packages and silently followed her sisters.

On the way to the girls’ room, Nick gave Jennifer a warm, bolstering smile over his shoulder. That was when he noticed the tears glistening in her eyes.

BY EARLY EVENING, JENNIFER had pulled herself together and prepared dinner for her family. When she called the girls in to set the table, Missy asked, “Where’s Nick?”

“I’m sure he’s at home. He’s not part of our family, Missy. You know that.”

“But Nick is our daddy! He should be here for supper!” the child said firmly.

“I’ve told you before, Missy, he’s not your daddy. He’s our neighbor, that’s all.” And, she reminded herself, that was all he’d ever be. “Now, help your sisters set the table.”

When the phone rang, Jennifer grabbed the kitchen extension, which had a long cord so she could finish fixing dinner while she talked.

“Jennifer?” said a wavery voice she recognized at once.

“Grace, how are you?”

“I’m fine, but I need to pay my rent.”

“Uh, Grace, aren’t you at the assisted-living facility?”

“Yes, but it’s not as nice as my apartment.”

“But do you think you’ll be able to return to your apartment?” Jennifer asked, confused.

“Oh, yes.”

“Have you told your nephew that?” Jennifer asked. Grace Windomere had been a good friend of her grandmother’s, which was how she’d gotten the apartment.

“Why would I?”

“If you’re subletting the apartment to your nephew, you’ll need to tell him.”

“What nephew?”

Jennifer froze. Then she said, “Your nephew, Nick Barry. He said you sublet your apartment to him.”

“I don’t think I have a nephew.”

“Grace, are you sure?”

“Well, I should know.”

“Yes, you should,” Jennifer said, her mind racing. She found it hard to believe that Nick was a brazen liar. But it appeared he was.

Suddenly her breath caught and a wave of cold chilled her body. She’d left her children with the man. Whoever he was. She’d trusted him!

Putting the food on the table, she helped each child serve herself.

“Now, girls, I need to go say something to Nick. You stay here and eat your dinner. I’ll be right back. Okay? Steffi is in charge. You do what she says.”

With a backward glance, Jennifer hurried out of her apartment and banged on the door across the hall.

When Nick opened the door, she glared at him.

“Grace Windomere doesn’t have a nephew!”

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