Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Phineas watched her carefully as they left the diner.
When Tiffanie stumbled, he wrapped his hand around her elbow, stabilizing the precious woman at his side.
This was different from her nervous lack of coordination earlier.
Exhaustion etched itself into her features—lines around her mouth and circles under her eyes.
“I’m going to take you back to the carriage house. ”
“Oh, that’s sweet. I’m fine. I can drive.”
“Not happening. Keys,” he said, holding out his hand.
“You have to go back to work.”
“I’ll get there. I’ll call a rideshare from your house and come pick up my car.”
“Really, I can make it home.”
“I’m going to release my hold on you. If you can stand steady next to me for sixty seconds, I’ll let you decide.”
Tiffanie nodded confidently. He lifted his hand.
As if not expecting him to release her so quickly, Tiffanie took a couple steps from Phineas and threw her hands out to the side to balance herself.
Her eyes widened and rolled up as if she would pass out.
Her fingers tangled in his polo shirt as she held on tightly.
Damn, he liked the feel of her against him.
“Oh, good night,” she muttered under her breath.
“Let’s go, Little girl.” Phineas wrapped his arm around her waist and plucked the remote from her hand. After guiding Tiffanie to her car, he helped her into the passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt. “Close your eyes and relax.”
“Really, wasting your time is silly.”
“I’m not unhappy at all. I’m perfectly content to spend the drive with you.” Phineas dropped a kiss on her hair before stepping back and closing the door.
By the time he climbed behind the steering wheel, a soft snore whispered from her lips. Phineas started the engine and shifted into reverse. He headed for Ferguson’s Folly.
About fifteen minutes later, he drove down the entrance lined with large oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.
Phineas took a lane off to the right, guessing the roof he could see under the trees was the carriage house.
He pulled up in front of the building and noted signs of repairs.
Ivan was obviously working on the previously abandoned space when he had a break from the more time-sensitive jobs Essie required.
He parked in the driveway and turned off the engine.
Circling the car, he watched her sleeping deeply.
Tiffanie had gotten completely worn out.
He smiled at her beautiful face, relaxed in slumber.
He’d love to see her on his pillow every morning.
Though surprised by that thought, Phineas refused to question his feelings.
Phineas opened her door quietly, scooped her out of the seat, and carried her toward the house. Hoping Ivan had left the door open, he reached for the knob. Success!
Stepping in carefully, Phineas hesitated inside as he looked around. A staircase stood to his right. Tiffanie wouldn’t have a bedroom there. He walked the opposite way past the kitchen and a small family room. At the end of the hallway, he entered a bedroom with a mound of pillows.
A well-loved teddy bear sat on the comforter as if waiting for her.
He gently settled her onto the comfortable nest of fluffy covers and pillows and tucked her stuffie in her arms before brushing his lips over her hair.
Tiffanie rubbed her nose on the soft fur.
He held his breath, hoping she wouldn’t wake completely. To his delight, she didn’t move again.
“Daddy will see you soon, Princess,” he whispered before quietly retracing his path to the front door.
“Phineas?” Ivan’s surprised voice made Phineas press his finger to his lips, warning Tiffanie’s brother to keep the volume down.
“Hey, Ivan. Tiffanie got wiped out. I drove her car home and set her on her bed.”
“I didn’t want her to drive today. She doesn’t have the energy for that. Shit. Forget I said that.”
She must have made him swear not to reveal her illness to anyone. “I know she has cancer, Ivan.”
“Tiffanie told you? Wow.” Ivan shook his head in obvious disbelief. “Do you need a ride to your car?”
“I do. Would you mind taking me to the diner?” He’d savor Ivan’s surprise that Tiffanie had confided in him later as Phineas noted this wasn’t her usual habit.
“My pleasure.”
Ivan preceded him outside. The two men jumped into the truck. Comfortable silence filled the interior as Phineas processed all he’d discovered today. The trip took fifteen minutes. When they reached the diner, Phineas paused with his hand on the door handle.
“How bad is it?”
“She’s had a tough fight.”
Phineas nodded. “Just so you’re aware, I’m going to be part of her life now.”
“That will be up to Tiffanie,” her brother warned.
Phineas nodded and got out. Before he could close the door, Ivan asked, “Did she eat?”
“Half her hamburger and fries dipped in cream gravy.”
“That’s her best meal in weeks.”
“Sounds like I need to take her out on a regular basis,” Phineas said.
“I’ll drive her next time,” Ivan promised.
“No, you won’t. She needed this today. You should have seen her sparkle when we met. Let her pretend everything is okay when she can. I’m glad to make sure she gets home.”
“Thank you for giving her that. She deserves normalcy.”
“My pleasure, Ivan. I appreciate the ride. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” Phineas offered Ivan his hand.
Ivan shook his with a nod. Phineas slid out and headed for his car. Ivan’s truck was already gone by the time he had his car backed out. Her brother would take care of her tonight, but leaving her had been difficult.
His phone buzzed with a message three hours later.
Thank you.
Hi, Princess. I’m glad you had a good nap.
Lunch was delicious. I enjoyed spending time with you.
Me too, Little girl. How about if I let you rest for a couple of days? Perhaps you’d come watch a movie with me on Sunday afternoon?
I’d love that. I’ll bring popcorn.
Bring your stuffie instead. I want to meet him.
He waited. The three dots appeared and disappeared. Finally, she answered.
He’s shy, but Biff says he’ll give you a chance.
I think we’re going to be good friends. We both care about the same person.
A line of hearts answered him. Phineas watched for a few minutes, but no more messages appeared.
He studied those hearts. One day, she would send him a heart with a different meaning—that she loved him, not simply the message.
The idea of earning her love sparked a flame inside him.
Tiffanie’s illness concerned him, of course, but he refused to let any threat take this chance to find something special from them.
Turning his attention to his next chance to spend time with Tiffanie, Phineas debated between several movies. He narrowed the list down to three. Tiffanie would make the final decision.