17. Caleb
Caleb
The moment I stepped into the house, I knew something was up. It was just after midnight and my mother had offered to help put Noelle to bed while I was at Bar.
Noelle was asleep on the couch while my mother did a word search on the recliner. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me in the doorway.
“Hi, honey,” she whispered, nodding toward Noelle. “She tried to stay up for you but passed out about ten minutes ago.”
I nodded and asked, “Do you want to spend the night?”
My mother shook her head. “I want to try to put some finishing touches on one of my art pieces.” She was nervous about the big art show she was planning later in the fall. I already knew it was going to be a success.
She grabbed her purse and headed for the door, blowing a kiss to Noelle, and I walked her to the porch. Before she descended the stairs, my mother asked, “You’re pretty serious about this girl, huh?”
My eyebrows rose but I said nothing. Grace and I were hardly stealthy. We weren’t really hiding anything, but I did need to tell Noelle. I wondered how she would react to me seeing somebody.
“You haven’t dated much since Roxy. Are you sure about her?” my mother probed, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I eyed her suspiciously. “What aren’t you telling me?
” I glanced over my shoulder and eyed Noelle’s sleeping form then whispered, “I know she has things she’s not telling me, and I reassured her I would wait until she’s ready, and I will, but if it’s something I need to worry about—if Noelle’s safety is at risk—I need you to tell me. ”
I respected Grace and her privacy, but my daughter would always be my first priority.
Mom brushed me off. “Oh, honey, no.” She shook her head and paused for a minute.
“I don’t think it’s something that would harm her, but be careful with your heart and definitely try to get her to open up to you soon.
Things aren’t always as bleak as they seem, and there are three sides to every story, so let her tell you hers.
Don’t mind me. I’m just a worrier. I don’t know much, aside from what I saw in a magazine, but if I had to guess, she’s probably punishing herself more than she should. ”
I nodded as I said good night and closed the door, letting my mother’s words sink in.
While I hadn’t violated her trust by googling her, my mother did recognize her. What was I going to do?
“All right,” I said to myself, kicking off my boots. I heard rustling and froze, one boot off. As I looked up, I spotted Noelle sitting up on the couch, smiling like the cat who ate the canary.
She smirked. “We haven’t gotten a chance to talk alone.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?” I asked, not mad but genuinely curious what she wanted to talk about.
“How can I sleep when you have a girlfriend and we haven’t talked about it? Also, why haven’t you told me about this?” Noelle shook her head like she was deeply disappointed in me.
“I—what?” I blinked, shocked at how perceptive my kid was.
“You heard me, Dad.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “You. Have. A. Girlfriend.”
I squinted at her as I walked closer to her. “Says who?”
“Me.” She pointed at herself, all smug. “And Ms. Kenzie. And Fiona. And Jena, basically the entire town.”
Of course, they knew. I’d kissed her at the bar earlier tonight–hard, in front of half the damn town.
It wasn’t the first time I’d shown her affection in public, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. So yeah, word had spread.
That was fine by me. I had nothing to hide, and I was proud as hell to be with Grace.
As much as I wanted to show her off, I hoped she’d be okay with the town poking around in our business.
Even though Noelle suspected we were boyfriend and girlfriend, Grace and I hadn’t had the label conversation yet. I wanted to, but I didn’t want to rush her. I was thrilled she said she wasn’t seeing anybody else, but I still wanted to properly ask her.
Small-town living was a big enough adjustment. She didn’t need to add any more changes to that, let alone a boyfriend who had a child. Noelle had to feel comfortable with the idea before I asked her to be my girlfriend.
I sighed and dropped onto the recliner. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
It was the truth. A technicality but the truth, nevertheless.
She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Oh my gosh, does she know that?”
I let my head fall back against the chair. “Noelle.”
“Dad.”
“How would you feel if I started dating?”
She let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “Well, you already are. But I think it’s great. I heard Jena saying how happy she makes you. Maybe you’ll be less haggard if you do have a girlfriend.”
My eyes narrowed. “That’s it?”
Noelle shrugged. “I know how these things work.”
I lifted a brow. “How do things work?”
“Well, for one, I know you took her on a date.” She lifted a finger.
“And I know she worked at the bar and that you both give each other googly eyes like Jena and Keith. You guys aren’t going to hide things like them, are you?
” she huffed and held up another finger.
“And I know you’re less grumpy since meeting her. ”
I stared at her. “How do you even—” I had so many questions. This kid was a detective. “I’m not grumpy.”
She grinned. “That’s what Ms. Kenzie said you’d say. Between her and Fiona, they should work for the police. Do you love her?”
I groaned, rubbing a hand down my face. “Okay, first of all, remind me to have a talk with the gossip crew. And second, we are taking things slow. I want you to know you come first.”
She snorted. “Yeah, I know that, Dad. But we need to find you a wife and me a stepmom.”
Noelle had never expressed any interest in me dating, let alone marrying somebody.
Now she was talking about wanting a stepmom.
I was floored with these new revelations.
When she was younger, there was a time when she was curious about having a mother, but it passed.
My stomach churned. Here, I was thinking I was protecting her when in actuality, I hadn’t put myself out there thinking it was what could be best for her.
“You like her, don’t you?”
I hesitated.
Noelle gasped again, this time even louder. “Oh, Dad, you do !”
“You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“I really am.”
I shook my head, trying to fight a smile. “You’re too smart, kid.”
“I know.”
I pulled her into my lap and kissed her head. “I love you.”
She squirmed out of my grasp and started for the stairs. “Let me know when I can meet your future wife.”
I groaned. This kid was gonna be the death of me.
I paced the kitchen, phone pressed to my ear as I waited for Grace to answer. When she did, her voice was gentle and soft, reminding me of the night prior in my office.
“Hey, hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“You’re good. Just sorting through some clothes I’ll never wear again. I’m trying to buy more practical things going forward.” She laughed. Grace and practicality didn’t go hand in hand.
“So listen,” I started, cupping the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward. “Noelle and I had a pretty interesting conversation last night.”
“Oh?” she asked curiously, amusement lacing her tone. “Should I be worried?”
I chuckled. “No—well, I hope not. She, uh, seems to think I have a girlfriend. The gossip clan got to her.”
She snorted. “Girlfriend, huh?”
I rubbed the back of my neck, studying my kitchen sink. “Yeah, her words. Not mine.”
“I love her confidence,” Grace teased. “Is that how you get the girl? Using your daughter?”
“Maybe she’s onto something.” I pretended to ponder. “Oh, maybe I should google it. Seriously though, I know we’ve been dancing around this. And I know you’ve got your reasons to take things slow. But all that said, will you be my girl?”
She was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Yes, Caleb. I’d love to be your girlfriend.”
“Good,” I said, smiling into the phone. My tone softened. “Noelle and I go out for pizza every Tuesday. Would you like to join us?”
Grace exhaled softly, her voice tender when she spoke. “I’d really like that.”
Tension I’d been holding finally softened. “Guess it’s official.”
“How can I say no when pizza’s involved?”
I laughed, leaning against my counter with relief. “Facts.”