North Country Dad by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-06-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“It’s not going to happen,” Arlen sneered. “So why are we killing ourselves to make this track useable?”

Dahlia had just explained that before they could resurface the track, they needed to fill the cracks. Rod and Arlen were doing that as she and Grant followed with the tar topcoat.

“Do you ever stop being a naysayer?” Rod’s face was red from the exertion on this unusually warm day. “Let’s just get on with it.”

“Who made you the boss?” Arlen yelled.

“Guys, come on. Let’s cut the fighting and work together so we can get this done. Okay?”

Dahlia was relieved Grant had intervened because she was running out of ways to reach Arlen.

“Where are the twins?” After Grant poured some of the tar on the surface, she spread it across the road. They worked well together. Like partners.

“Laurel took Glory and Grace to the beach.” He waited until she’d finished one section before he started another. “They’re choosing pebbles for a project. Laurel said it might be the last chance before winter blows in.”

“We’ve been lucky with the weather.” For the past three days Dahlia regretted ending their cookie-making session so abruptly. She’d done it because his presence in her home with the twins had engendered dreams she couldn’t afford. She needed to stop dreaming and focus on her goal. The track.

Dahlia now sensed that something had changed between them, that he’d somehow withdrawn. There was nothing she could put her finger on. He was just—different toward her.

“The twins’ birthday is Saturday,” Grant murmured when Arlen and Rod had moved out of range.

“They’ll be six?” A bump of envy grew in Dahlia’s heart. How lucky he was to share this milestone with the precocious twins. Her first instinct was to offer to help so she could be involved in the celebration, but she wasn’t sure that was a good idea given this distance she felt yawning between them. “I’ll bet they’re excited.”

“That’s the problem. They want to invite their entire class to a birthday party.” Panic filled his gray eyes. “I can’t handle that many kids.”

Dahlia felt certain it wasn’t only the number of kids he was worried about. Something else ate at him.

Stick to your decision to give him space, she reminded herself. She hoped doing so would help her quell these longings to be closer to him.

Dahlia jerked upright. Was that why she was helping Grant—to get closer to him?

“Would you be available to help?” His hesitation was painfully obvious.

She wanted to say yes immediately, but she reined herself in. “With what, exactly?”

“With whatever it is one does at a child’s sixth birthday.”

“You’ve never had a birthday party?” she teased, trying to make him laugh.

“No.”

At first she thought he was joking. But his eyes remained blank.

“My father wasn’t into parties,” Grant said, his voice giving nothing away. “And he didn’t allow me to attend them either. Eva handled the twins’ parties, so I truly have no clue how to make the day special, apart from buying birthday cakes and supervising some games.

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