Chapter 7
EVE
On the day of the dance, I double checked that all the deliveries were on track and the hall was decorated. I hadn't asked Maddox for help because I was avoiding him.
We'd talked about meeting at the dance, but nothing more about our "date." I guess I'd act like we were together to make Frank happy. To show him that Maddox wasn't grumpy all the time. He'd been nice at his house and the dessert tasting.
I hadn't talked to Natasha about him because she was going through something of her own since her high-school ex, Ford started renovating the inn. She said nothing was going on between them, and it didn't bother her that they worked together, but I wasn't so sure about that.
I was too busy managing the party to do much of anything else. There was no chance that I'd have any private moments with Maddox or Sofia. No more opportunities to connect with them. It wasn’t a good idea to get close to them.
He was a man with baggage, and Sofia was going through a lot, more than I could imagine.
At one, I waited outside for Maddox to drop her off. But instead of pulling to the curb, he parked.
I waited for them to approach, my heart stuttering over him holding his daughter's hand.
"We'll take good care of her."
"I'd like to hang out if that's okay. I don't have anything to do today."
Most mothers spent the day with their daughters when they purchased the package. Not many fathers did. But I could see why he thought it was a good idea. So I didn't argue with him. "Absolutely."
I led them to the dress shop next to the inn. I wondered how I was going to keep my distance from them. It was going to be a long day.
Maddox opened the door for us, and we walked inside.
"Sofia's here for her appointment," I called out to Bianca.
She walked out from the dressing rooms. "I'm so excited to find you the perfect dress. Now tell me which princesses are your favorites so I can get an idea of your style."
Bianca followed her around the room, looking at the various dresses as Sofia listed the princesses she loved.
"I hope you don't mind that I'm sticking around. I didn't want her to feel alone. This seems like something her mother would have done."
My heart squeezed. "I think it was the right thing to do. Moms tend to stay to watch their daughters try on dresses."
He rocked back on his heels. "I could have sent my mother, but it wouldn't have been the same."
"You're right." I respected him even more for wanting to fill Sofia's mother's role.
He cleared his throat. "Frank said I haven't been as grumpy as usual."
I couldn't help but laugh at the way he'd said it, as if he didn't want to admit it. "And that's a good thing, I take it?"
He glanced at me. "He thinks it's because I'm hanging around you."
"We haven't seen each other that much—"
"Apparently, it's enough to rub off on me."
Bianca held up a few dresses. "We're going to try these on and show off the strong contenders."
"Take your time," I called to them as they disappeared down the dressing room hallway. "We should sit down. This is going to take a while."
"I didn't realize you were planning to be here for the whole thing."
"Well, I wasn't sure you were coming, and then I want to see her excitement. I love the transformation."
He sat on the long couch in front of the mirrors. "You want kids of your own some day?"
"I do." I liked Sofia. I thought she was great. But was I ready for kids now? Maybe not babies, but I enjoyed spending time with kids Sofia's age.
He sighed. "They come with great responsibility, and I always feel like I'm screwing up."
I covered his hand with mine. "You're not."
He arched a brow. "How can you be so sure?"
"How many men would sit through their daughter's dress fitting?" I mused.
He shook his head. "We'll see how long I last."
Bianca came out with her hands clasped together, looking pleased with herself. "Are you ready to see your girl? She looks beautiful."
"I'm not ready for this," Maddox muttered, and I assumed he meant everything that came with Sofia growing older, her teen years, dating.
Sofia walked out in a yellow dress with blue trim.
"Very Belle-like. I love it," I said.
Sofia stepped onto the raised platform and swished her skirt this way and that to see herself in the three-way mirror. "It's okay."
"Not the one, I take it?" Bianca asked with amusement tingeing her voice. "No worries. I have gads of dresses to show you."
Next to me, Maddox settled back into the cushions. "We're going to be here for a while."
"Would you like some sparkling water?" I asked him.
"I'd love some."
I got us glasses of sparkling water and snacks while we watched Sofia parade onto the platform in one dress after another. The entire time, Maddox was patient, waiting to see how Sofia would react before he gave his opinion. He was careful to tell her it was her decision.
After another poofy dress was rejected, and she was on her way back to the dressing room, Maddox said, "At least I don't have to worry about her showing too much skin yet."
"Oh, that time is coming. We've had several older girls in here fighting with their parents over that very thing. We get local high-school girls dressing for homecoming."
"I can't believe I have to do this alone. I always thought Marla would be by my side for this stuff. Even if we weren't together, we'd be co-parents, you know?"
That made me wonder if he'd thought about divorcing Marla. If they weren't in a good relationship. He hadn't mentioned how she died. I assumed it was a sickness and not something like a car accident. No matter what I was thinking, I wouldn't ask him about it. "I can see that."
"I probably sound like a jerk."
No one wanted to go into parenting alone, but that's how it ended up sometimes.
I was lucky to have my parents for as long as I did.
I couldn't imagine losing them when I was just a kid.
My heart went out to Sofia. She'd lost so much.
"You're doing a good job with her, and you don't sound like a jerk.
You sound human. We're flawed, and we're all just doing the best we can. "
This time, Sofia came out in a red-and-gold dress that was from our holiday princess collection.
I stood and went over to her. "This is so pretty on you."
The red was perfect for her skin tone, and she looked unique, not like all the princesses everyone recognized.
"Do you like it?" Bianca asked her carefully as Maddox moved closer.
Sofia swished the skirt as she twirled. "I love it." Then she came to an abrupt stop facing Maddox, her back to the mirror. "Do you like it, Daddy?"
I expected him to say something like I like it if you do, but instead, he said, "I love it. You look so grown up."
Sofia beamed.
Bianca clapped her hands together. "We just need shoes and a tiara."
We stepped back so that Bianca could accessorize her dress.
When they agreed on the shoes and tiara, I snapped some pictures for Maddox, who seemed a little overwhelmed by the day.
"Are you ready to get your hair and makeup done?" Bianca asked her, and Sofia nodded. "I'll take her to the salon next door. We'll have her back soon."
Sofia followed her to the dressing room to change out of her dress.
"You have time to grab a coffee, and go home and change. I doubt you'll want to hang out in the salon."
"She seems fine without me."
"She's having the time of her life." Sofia had been all smiles during the dress try-on session. "It's nice to be a princess for a day."
Maddox moved toward the front door. "Where do I pay for everything?"
There was no counter here. Usually Bianca had customers pay on a tablet she carried around.
"This one is on the house."
Maddox gave me a look. "You're running a business. You can't give everyone free stuff."
"But I'm not giving everyone free stuff. Just you."
His brows furrowed.
"Listen, you're doing me a favor. I wanted the fire trucks in our parade, and Frank made that happen. This is my thank-you."
The crease between his eyebrows deepened. "You already donated your ballroom for our party."
"This is my way of thanking you specifically for not continuing to fight me on the parade. I know you didn't want to be involved."
"We're stretched thin, and lately, l haven't wanted to do the community stuff. It's hard to put on a happy face."
I sighed. "It will get easier."
"How are you coping?" he asked.
I laughed without any humor. "I wouldn't go by my example. We bought this place soon after the funeral and haven't slowed down since."
"You buried yourself in work and responsibilities."
It felt bad when he said it like that. But I had been numb. Not dealing with the grief that Natasha seemed to be able to feel easily. "I'm doing this for my sister. It's her dream, and I want her to be happy."
"But what about you?" Maddox asked.
"This is my dream too. I've always wanted to be a small-town event coordinator. When we graduated, I worked for a party planning company. But it wasn't enough. I wanted to build community."
"That's what you're doing here with the holiday party and parade."
"I hope so."
Maddox pushed open the door, and I brushed past his chest.
"Will you join me for coffee?"
I led the way to Coffee Dreams. "I should check on Sofia, ensure she's doing all right."
He nodded, because I'm sure he wanted me to do just that.
"And I'll text you when she's done. You have time to go home and get dressed for the dance. You can meet Sofia at the base of the staircase in the inn."
He paused in front of the door to the coffee shop. "Aren't you my date too?"
I smiled because I'd almost forgotten our deal. "Is Frank expecting us to spend the evening together?"
He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I think that's what he wants."
"I'll need to manage the party as well, but I can be your date. What do we need to do? Hold hands and dance to a few tunes?" I asked, my voice a little shaky at the prospect of touching him. I wasn't sure I could handle being that close.
He nodded. "Something like that."
"The party will be amazing, and I'll be an attentive, doting date for the evening," I said, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
"What could go wrong?" Maddox mumbled.
"It's going to go smoothly. I'll get fire trucks in my parade, and you'll get your promotion."
He let out a breath. "I hope you're right."
"Frank knows you're the right guy for the job."
He nodded, looking away. "I'm doing everything he asked of me."
I wondered if there was something else besides be less grumpy and help with the holiday parade. "I'll check on Sofia. Enjoy your coffee and the rest of your afternoon."
He rocked back on his heels. "I don't even know what to do with myself. I'm either working or with Sofia."
I shoved him toward the door, my heart rate picking up at the contact. "Go. Enjoy yourself."
This time, he went without complaint, and I waited until he was inside before I crossed the street to the salon. Inside, Sofia was seated at a chair in front of a mirror talking to one of the stylists, Terri.
She showed Sofia a few of the updos we offered for girls, and Sofia picked one that would go nicely with a tiara.
"That one will be lovely."
"Where's my dad?" Sofia asked.
"He went to get coffee across the street. He's going to meet you when your hair and makeup are done and you're in your dress. Don't forget. There's a little photo shoot before the dance. And we don't want your date to see you before you're done up."
Sofia giggled. "Is my dad going to dress up too?"
I frowned. "We didn't talk what he was wearing. But I'll make sure he's got a suit for the evening."
While Terri brushed Sofia's hair, I sent a text.
Eve: Are you set for tonight?
Maddox: Meaning?
Eve: You have a suit? I was so concerned about Sofia; I completely forgot about your outfit.
Maddox: I have one to wear. Don't worry.
Eve: Sofia's excited to see you in it. You might want to pick her up some flowers at the shop here.
Maddox: You have a flower shop on Candy Cane Lane?
Eve: Sure do. It's a few doors down from the coffee shop.
Maddox: You don't have to worry about me. I've got it.
Eve: And I'll make sure your date is ready to go.
Maddox: Are you talking about Sofia or you?
I laughed.
Eve: Both of us will be presentable.
Maddox: Are you doing the princess package too?
Eve: I've already done it. Bianca set me up with a few dresses that I rotate for events like this.
That made it sound like I went to the dances often with a date, which wasn't true.
I tucked my phone away, not wanting to get distracted. I had an event to manage.
"Terri, I'm going to the ballroom to make sure everything is set up for the evening."
"We have quite a few girls coming in to get their hair and makeup done for the dance. Do you think you'll host more of these parties?"
"We'll see how it goes, but if it attracts more business, I don't see why not." I was always looking for ways to bring in more customers to the surrounding shops, whether that was dresses, hair and makeup, or even the restaurants.
There was no question that the fire department's holiday party was drawing more customers than usual. We could rent the ballroom out in the future. The idea excited me, and I started running through ideas to put on the website to make the offer.
"Sofia will be ready for her photo shoot soon. She's absolutely beautiful," Terri said, and Sofia beamed.
Girls tended to love the princess package, but there was something about Sofia having a wonderful day that made me feel really good.
I wanted her to be happy, to let go of her grief and worries, even if it was just for a little while. I wasn't doing it for Maddox. This was for her.