Страница 5 из 10
Co
He drained his cup, set it on the table and wandered to the glass doorway that led to the porch. Outside he saw the crystallized snow that rimmed the lake. His gaze drifted to the porch love seat while memories swept him away.
He and Ellene had visited the cottage more than once, and they’d sat on the porch, occasionally alone, where he could sneak a kiss. He recalled her soft lips. They were young and inexperienced, not that he’d wanted to be. He’d listened to the guys in the high school locker room relate their conquests, brag about their prowess, and he’d laugh and nod as if he knew what they were talking about.
But he’d respected Ellene too much even to suggest anything like that to her. Now that he thought back, he wondered where he’d gotten such self-control. He’d wanted to know the secrets that his buddies bragged about, but his morals had stopped him from tempting fate.
So why in college had he succumbed so easily to Melanie? He’d been hurt by Ellene’s rejection. Rejection? The excuse sounded so weak. They’d promised to marry after he graduated from college—only a couple of years to wait. Ellene had been the only woman he’d really loved.
Rejection was no excuse for his behavior. He’d gotten involved with Melanie on the rebound. She’d been attractive and more romantically experienced, and he’d thought…
Co
Though he’d tried, Co
His own family struggled to make ends meet. His mom worked behind the counter at a dollar store, and his dad worked in a small factory, coming home with grime beneath his fingernails and smelling of cigarette smoke.
Another noise from above caused Co
The second story reminded him why Ellene had come to the cabin. The upper floor held two small rooms with limited closet space, hardly a place for a young girl to feel at home. Caitlin had the larger room, but the smaller one had become a storage area with boxes and unused furniture that needed to be tossed out. Co
He strode past the smaller room and stood outside Caitlin’s door. “So how’s it going?” he asked as he stepped inside.
Ellene was sitting on the corner of the bed while Caitlin stood in the middle of the room, pointing toward the closet.
“Are you telling Ellene what you want up here?”
“I don’t want anything. I told you.” Her piercing voice was followed by the sweep of her hand across a night table. The contents clattered to the floor. “You never listen to me. I’m telling her what the other girl wants.”
“What other girl?” he asked.
The child’s face darkened to crimson as she shook her finger at him. “The girl Ellene said who’ll live in this house.”
“That’s enough, Caitlin.” Co
Ellene rose from the bed and edged toward the door, looking uneasy. “I’ll be downstairs.”
He returned his attention to Caitlin, embarrassed that Ellene had to see his daughter’s worst behavior. He closed his eyes a minute to gather his thoughts. “I can’t let you treat an adult this way, Caitlin. If I were mean to you then I might deserve this, but I love you, and I only want the best for you.”
Her belligerent look faded as tears pooled in her eyes and she reached up for him to lift her into his arms. She tilted her head forward and rested her chin on his shoulder, tears flowing onto his shirt. His chest heaved with sadness as he cuddled his daughter. Lately she’d changed from a shy, quiet child to a withdrawn, angry one.
Co
What could he do? He wanted to invest in a new business—his own business—and he couldn’t do that without more financing. His house in the Detroit suburbs would bring a good price and help start his business and still pay for renovations on the cottage. He’d do anything to make Caitlin content, but he didn’t think the house or cabin had anything to do with it. Caitlin needed attention. She needed love, and he couldn’t seem to give her enough of either.
“I want you to stay here until you feel like being more friendly. Ellene is here on business, and I have to talk with her.”
Caitlin didn’t respond. He shook his head and turned to the stairs.
“What kind of business?”
Her soft voice surprised him, and he turned toward her. “She’s a building contractor.”
“What’s that?” She rolled over to face him.
Co
Caitlin frowned. “But she seems like your friend.”
“I’ve known her and her father for many years.”
“She has a daddy, too?”
“Yes. Mr. Bordini.”
“And a mommy?”
A lump caught in Co
“I thought so.”
Fighting a lump in his throat, Co
Caitlin rolled back to face the wall.
“I’ll talk to you later, sweetheart,” he said, heading once again for the staircase.
“I know. You got business,” she mumbled.
Business. Yes, he had business with Ellene, but the word seemed so incompatible with the deeper relationship they’d once had. Seeing her now brought back those old unpleasant feelings. No surprise, really. Their parting had been shocking to him. He wondered if she’d ever realized how devastated he’d been. It hadn’t been what he’d wanted, but pride and stubbor
Things happen for a reason, and later he’d realized the breakup had probably been for the best. Since Co
At the bottom of the stairs, Co
Ellene stood by the doorway, looking through the window into the porch.
“Today isn’t a good day for Caitlin.”
When he spoke, she turned to face him. “It’s probably because I’m here.” She lifted a finger and drew it around a lock of hair.
“It’s not that.” He wanted to explain, but he didn’t have the answer himself. It was so many things.
She seemed to wait, and when he didn’t add to his comment, she glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late. I should finish up here and get on my way.”