Chapter Twenty Charlie
Chapter Twenty
Charlie
I’d gotten a call first thing in the morning from Will that had both Violet and me throwing on our clothes and hopping in my truck. We’d spent the night together, and that was not something I’d done in a very long time.
Not since Harper was born.
But we’d raced over to her house because Will said it was an emergency. And the three of us were now standing in her backyard, staring down at a gaping hole beneath where the deck used to be.
“What does this mean?” She ran her hands through her hair, and I had a flash of that wild mane of blond waves spilling all around her shoulders while she rode me into oblivion last night.
Will shrugged. “We were going to start rebuilding the deck this morning, and by chance I took a look before we started, and lo and behold, there was a hole. I poked a broomstick in there, and this big-ass groundhog came running out. He took off into the tree line.”
“So a groundhog was living beneath my house?” she said, shaking her head with disbelief as we all stared down at the gaping hole beneath her deck.
“Yep. Welcome to wildlife in Alaska,” I said.
“Trust me, I already deal with Clifford Wellhung staring into our window at the office. But come on, now I’ve got to deal with a freaking groundhog? Can you just close the deck up and hopefully he’s gone?”
“I wish it were that simple, Violet. I know you were planning to move back in this week. But I used the flashlight down there, and I’m afraid he’s chewed through some of the electrical wiring and possibly the pipes that run to your laundry room.
” Will scratched the back of his neck as if he was nervous about telling her.
“That fucker is eating my house?” Violet shrieked.
“I think he’s been at it for a while, and we just didn’t notice. I should have closed that area up,” he said.
“It could have happened to anyone,” I said.
“You weren’t checking the backyard, because you’ve been focused on the interior.
But we’ve got to make sure that we get everything repaired before we close it up.
We’ll have to build a wood box around it so he can’t get in there at night while we’re getting this repaired.
And then we’ll get the deck back on and secure the area around it. ”
“And how long will all of this take?” Violet asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Probably around two weeks,” Will said. “I’m real sorry about this, Violet.
But if we don’t fix this now, you could end up having another flood and all sorts of issues with the electrical.
I already talked to the guys, and they all agreed to work the next two weekends to get this done for you. Everyone feels real bad about it.”
Her features softened. I was learning that Violet Beaumont had a hard outer shell, and rightfully so. But beneath was a very warm, empathetic woman who cared a lot more about the people in her life than she let on.
“You don’t need to do that. As long as the old ball and chain over here will let me keep staying in the guesthouse, it’ll be fine.” Her gaze locked with mine.
“Not a problem. We’ll get it done and get you moved in as soon as we can,” I said, trying to play it cool when the truth was—I was relieved she wasn’t leaving yet.
We lived in a small town. Her house was not far from mine. But I liked knowing she was in my backyard most days.
I liked waking up to her being there for breakfast.
I liked how much time she was spending over at the house with me and Harper.
And that was saying a lot because I normally hated people coming into our space.
“And how do we get Chompers the groundhog to stay away?” she asked as she pushed some dirt around with the toe of her shoe.
“I’ll build a box today to go over the area when we leave at night,” Will said. “It’ll keep him out, and he’ll eventually move on.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ve got to get out of here, but if you need anything, let me know.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for catching this and getting it fixed.”
“What’s going on here?” Will chuckled as he waved his finger around in front of me. “Is Charlie in a good mood?”
I rolled my eyes, and Violet laughed.
“He does seem to be chipper today,” Violet said with a smirk. “Maybe it was all the birthday cake he ate yesterday at Harper’s party.”
“Yeah, it must be the cake.” I winked at her.
“Nah, there’s something happening here,” Will said, a wide grin on his face as he motioned between us. “I’m picking up on something.”
“Well, how about you start picking up this mess from the groundhog and mind your own damn business,” I said, trying to act annoyed but unable to hide the humor from my voice.
“See, he’s still plenty grumpy.” Violet bumped me with her shoulder.
“I don’t know. He seems pretty happy to me,” Will said with a laugh, and I shot him the bird.
“I’ll call and check in with you in a few hours. I’ve got to drop this one off at some liquor lunch and then go pick up Harper from the McAffreys’.”
“What’s a liquor lunch?” Will asked.
“It’s a boozy brunch, not a liquor lunch,” Violet said over her laughter. “Me, Monny, and Blakely do these once a month. Mimosas and yummy food.”
“I like the sound of that,” Will said as we walked toward the door.
“Fix the wiring and the pipes, and then you can have a boozy brunch,” I said as we walked outside.
“Are you freaking out?” Violet whispered once we got in the truck.
“About the groundhog?”
“No. About Will being suspicious about us.” Her gaze searched mine.
I turned to look at her. “I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks.”
“I just don’t want that to freak you out.”
“Do I look freaked out? You’re the one who looks freaked out. What’s going on?”
“I just. You know. I don’t know. We don’t know.” She threw her hands in the air. “I don’t know what this is, Charlie. I’m not good at this.”
“I haven’t had a relationship in a very long time. I’m not fucking good at this either, but I’m also not freaking out.”
“Why?” she asked as I pulled down the driveway and headed toward the Brown Bear Diner.
“Because we’re friends no matter what. Because last night was fucking amazing. Because I like you.” I cleared my throat, because that was a lot for me.
I pulled into the parking lot at the diner and put the truck in park.
“I’m a really good lover, aren’t I?” she said. “I’m kidding. Last night was—amazing.”
“Was that so hard?”
“That’s what she said!” she said with a laugh. “And no, that wasn’t so hard. It’s just—I don’t want to mess anything up, you know?”
“Hey. One day at a time. Go have some fun with the girls, and Harper and I will pick you up when you’re ready.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can walk home,” she said as she unbuckled herself.
“Stop being stubborn, Firefly. We’re picking you up. Just text me when you’re ready.”
“Fine. I’ll text you.” She glanced around before lunging herself at me and kissing me. “Thanks for the ride, Charles.”
I laughed as she got out of the truck, and I watched her walk inside.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I actually was in a good mood.
And that little blond smart-ass was the reason for it.
I left there and went to pick up Harper, who talked nonstop the whole way home about her birthday party.
About the pink balloons and the cake.
I knew we needed to have a conversation about Caroline, and I just wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
“I’m glad you had a good party, baby girl.” I helped her out of the truck, and we walked into the house.
“Is Violet home?” she asked.
“She went to meet Montana and Blakely for brunch. She’ll be back later.”
She sat down on the couch, and I made my way over to sit beside her.
“I wanted to talk to you about what happened yesterday with Caroline.”
“I don’t like that my mama just comes to see me on my birthday. She’s a stranger. And remember, you told me about stranger danger, Daddy.”
I nodded. “I understand that, and that’s why I wanted to talk to you.
When your mom left when you were a baby, I didn’t really know what I was doing.
And she came up with this idea to come visit you once a year on your birthday, and I agreed to it because I thought it was the right thing.
I didn’t want to rock the boat, and I was just happy that I got to have you with me every day, you know? ”
“I always want to be with you. You’re my favorite person, Daddy.”
“You’re my favorite person too, Harps.” I tucked her long hair behind her ear. “But I didn’t know what the right thing to do with your mom was, but I want to do what makes you happy.”
“I don’t need a mama because I have the best daddy around.” She shrugged, her eyes wet with emotion, which told me this was something that had been weighing on her. “I don’t want to see Caroline because I don’t know her, and I don’t like that she feels like a stranger.”
“That’s fair. I told her that I didn’t think this was a good idea anymore. I wanted to make sure that’s what you wanted. And if you change your mind and you want to know about her, or you want to see her, you just tell me, okay?”
“I will. I had fun with Violet yesterday. She made my party so special. I think she might be my best friend sometimes.” She shrugged, and I chuckled at how not smooth she was about the change in conversation. My daughter was done talking about Caroline, and I got the message loud and clear.
“Yeah. Violet’s good people, isn’t she?”
“I like that you two pretend that you don’t like each other but everyone knows that you do.” She chuckled.
“She’s pretty easy to like.”
“Is she your girlfriend, Daddy?” she asked, smiling up at me with those rosy cheeks and that toothless smile.
“I don’t know what she is, Harps. We’re good friends and I like her,” I said, feeling like a teenager being questioned by a parent.
“I think she likes you too.” She climbed on my lap. “Sometimes when she’s here it feels like we’re a family. I like it.”
Fuck. Was I messing things up by bringing Violet into Harper’s life, when I didn’t know where this was going?
“Friends can be part of your family too, right?” I asked.
“Do you think we’ll still see Violet all the time when she moves back to her house?”
“Well, her house is going to take a little longer than we thought,” I said, trying to hide the smile from my face. “She had a groundhog do some damage underground.”
Her mouth fell open. “A groundhog ate Violet’s house?”
“Well, I’d say he ate enough to keep her here for a few weeks.” I rumpled the top of her head, and she giggled.
“Lily does her mama’s makeup, and I wanted to see if I could do Violet’s makeup with that makeup kit you got me for Christmas.”
“I don’t know what Violet’s plans are after brunch, but you can practice on me if you want.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she clapped her hands together. “I’m going to make you the prettiest daddy in Blushing!”
“Oh boy. Lucky me.”
The shit I did for my little girl was not something I’d ever seen myself doing.
But seeing her smile was worth whatever torture she was about to put me through.
“I’ll go set things up in my bathroom!” She jumped to her feet.
“I’ll be in there shortly. I need to take care of a few things real quick.
Give me five minutes.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts and found the name of a high school friend of mine, Logan Hawkins.
She was an attorney now, and I’d just renovated her home last year, and she had a reputation for being a shark in the courtroom. I sent her a quick text.
Me: Hey, Logan. I may need some legal advice regarding Harper’s mom and my custody rights. I wondered if this was something you could help me with.
Logan: Of course. This is what I do. Let’s set up a meeting for tomorrow morning. Can you meet me at my office at 11am?
Me: I’ll be there. Thank you.
Logan: Of course. See you tomorrow.
I made my way down the hallway toward Harper’s bathroom.
“Ready for your makeover, Daddy?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be, baby girl.”
I glanced over at the container of glitter shadow and groaned.
Because I’d just agreed to let her make me sparkle like a fucking disco ball on New Year’s Eve.