Chapter 4
MADDOX
Iwasn't sure what to cook for dinner. Normally, I'd make tacos or spaghetti, kid-friendly meals. I had no idea what to prepare for the woman who'd walked into the firehouse in a red dress.
I was supposed to be working with her to plan the department's holiday party. I wasn't supposed to be attracted to her. I wasn't trying to impress her.
I cleaned the house while Sofia was at school, then went to the store to figure out what to make. What screamed holiday-party-planning meal, not a date?
I finally settled on something fancier than my usual fare but still easy, lasagna. When Sofia got off the bus, I helped her with her homework, then told her to wash up while I started the lasagna.
I carefully followed the recipe, cooking the meat, then adding each layer to the casserole dish before putting it in the oven.
I'd even texted my mom for tips to ensure it cooked perfectly.
I told myself I'd do this for anyone, but I wasn't so sure about that. If my parents or my brother came over, I'd serve them whatever I'd normally cooked for Sofia. No matter how I justified it to myself, Eve was different.
What kind of woman comes to a fire department in a form-fitting red dress, carrying baked goods? She was used to getting what she wanted. I had a feeling if I was my usual grouchy self, she'd call me out on it. I admired her grit and determination.
The fact that she was following through on her promise to plan the party was admirable too. She hadn't shirked her responsibilities or put everything off on me. I respected that.
The lasagna was in the oven before I heard the knock on the door. I'd texted Eve the time and address earlier in the day. She was a few minutes early, and I tried not to let that impress me. She wasn't someone I was looking to date.
I hadn't given myself permission to even think about dating, much less be attracted to someone else.
It felt like a betrayal to Marla, even though she'd assured me that I was still young and should feel free to live my life fully.
She hadn't explicitly told me to date someone new one day, but that's what I took it to mean.
I just wasn't sure I was ready or if I ever would be.
I opened the door as Sofia ran across the hard wood floor, skidding to a stop next to me. "Is she here?"
A smile curved over Eve's face. "I sure am."
Sofia grabbed her hand and pulled her inside. "Dad's making lasagna for you."
"I hope you didn't go through any trouble."
There was no need to tell her I'd cleaned the house, bought more groceries than I needed, or spent hours scouring recipes online for the perfect meal.
Sofia frowned. "We never have lasagna."
I smiled sheepishly, hoping Eve wouldn't read anything into it. "I thought you might prefer it to spaghetti or tacos. Our go-to meals around here."
She waved a hand at me as she took off her coat. "I would have been fine with spaghetti. You didn't have to go to any trouble."
"It's nice to cook for someone else for a change. Switch things up."
"You want to see what I'm painting?" Sofia asked Eve as if she was a friend over for a play date.
"I'd love to."
I watched for any sign that Eve didn't like kids or wanted to be saved.
Sofia dragged her into our favorite room of the house that was all windows and let in lots of light. It was the natural place for Sofia's art supplies. There was an easel in there and her various craft kits she got for her birthday.
I heard the soft murmur of their voices, and I marveled at what that was like. It had been quiet for so long with it just being the two of us.
I checked on the lasagna in the oven, even though there was a timer set on the microwave. Then I set the table, pouring sparkling water for everyone. Sofia loved when we pretended it was a special occasion.
Sofia had turned on one of the battery-operated candles on the table.
We would eat, and then I'd talk about planning the party with Eve. This was a business dinner, not a date.
It felt very much like a date. I was nervous, wondering whether Eve liked Sofia.
Satisfied everything was taken care of, I wandered into the sunroom where Sofia and Eve stood by the easel. Sofia was explaining the trick to making snowflakes on the canvas with a sponge. The background on her painting was blue, and she was carefully touching the sponge to the canvas.
Sofia enjoyed making things. She was always talking about her next project and what she wanted to create.
"This is great, Sofia. Something like this would look nice in the inn or town hall."
Sofia's eyes widened. "You'd hang it up at the town hall?"
"It would fit perfectly. I love it," Eve said, and I had a feeling she wasn't just being nice. She really liked it.
I could see the appeal in having an original work hanging on the wall, even if it was created by an eleven-year-old.
"If you want something specific, I could make it for you," Sofia said.
"I like this one." Then she looked around at the other canvases leaning against the wall. "They're all so pretty."
I'd created a ledge around the room where she could rest the canvases to dry or be displayed. There was a string lined with clothesline clips higher up that held her paper paintings.
"This room is really nice."
Sofia smiled. "During the day, there's lots of light, and it's nice to paint here."
"I bet it is."
"You two almost ready for dinner?" There were only a few more minutes on the timer, and I wasn't sure I could watch these two interact any longer. It was doing weird things to my heart. I hadn't seen Sofia like this with anyone except her mother and grandmother.
It was nice to see her interact with another woman but hard at the same time.
"Thank you for showing me your paintings, Sofia."
Sofia set the brush on the edge of the easel. "I can show you how to make something later."
"Sofia, Miss Eve is here to talk to me about the holiday party, remember?"
Her nose screwed up. "Can you come back another time to paint with me?"
I sighed. "I'm sure Eve is busy since it's the holiday season, and she runs Christmas Town."
Sofia's eyes went round. "You run Christmas Town? Does that mean you know Santa?"
Eve looked at me for guidance.
"You know the Santas in towns and malls are just Santa's helpers, right?"
Sofia rolled her eyes. "I know. But I still want him to tell the real Santa what I want."
I wasn't sure how much longer she would believe in Santa. She'd already mentioned that other kids in her class were adamant that the parents were giving the presents.
"Stop by anytime, and I'll show you around."
Sofia turned to face me, her hands pressed together as if she was praying. "Please, Daddy."
I had a feeling she emphasized the word Daddy when she wanted something, but I was powerless to say no to her. She'd already lost a mother. I didn't want her to feel like she was missing out on anything else.
"We can go to Christmas Town. Now, wash your hands for dinner."
Sofia squealed, then disappeared into the powder room. I heard the water turn on as we walked into the kitchen.
"She's a great kid."
I nodded, warmth filling my chest. "She is."
"It's so nice she's interested in something at a young age. I don't remember having a hobby at eleven."
"Me either. I took her to an art therapist after her mother died, and she loved it."
Before Eve could respond, Sofia bounded into the room.
"Have a seat," I said to the girls, enjoying having someone else to fill the space of our home. I should invite my family over more often. It might be good for Sofia too.
It had been lonely with just us two here night after night. I thought it was what Sofia needed, but now that I'd seen her interact with Eve, I wasn't so sure.
With oven mitts, I pulled the casserole dish out of the oven, placing it on the counter. Then I dished out the lasagna, setting it in front of Sofia and then Eve.
"This looks delicious," Eve said.
Sofia sipped her sparkling water. "Your here to plan the holiday party?"
Eve smiled. "The fire department is going to use our ballroom for their annual holiday party. We just need to work out the details because I've never been to it."
Sofia nodded. "You get dressed up and dance all night."
Eve's smile widened. "Oh, is that all?"
Sofia tapped her chin. "There's usually food and lots of sparkling water."
"It's a good thing I came over to talk to you. You're a wealth of information."
"I can help you plan it," Sofia offered.
"I think the rest of the planning will be boring," I said as I chewed the lasagna. "Guest lists and figuring how much food to order."
"Oh, you need a cake. No party is complete without a cake," Sofia said excitedly.
Eve giggled. "Is that so?"
"And Dad said you could help me pick out a dress."
"We have a princess day you might enjoy. You can try on dresses, and then we'll do your hair and makeup. What are your feelings on a tiara?"
Her eyes widened. "I love them."
Eve smiled. "I thought you might."
She clasped her hands together. "I'm so excited."
"Eat your lasagna. I don't want you to be hungry at bedtime." That was a new thing she was doing, telling me she was starving when I tucked her into bed. I wondered if it was a ploy to stay up later. I wanted to ensure she had enough to eat during the day.
Her lower lip protruded, but she ate a bite of pasta.
"Is there anything else that you do at the party? Or is it just food, drink, and dancing?" Eve asked.
"This isn't one of our fundraising nights, so it's fairly easy as far as events go. We celebrate the season with our coworkers and families."
"We'll make it magical," Eve said, and Sofia nodded.
"Thanks for offering us the space. Frank was worried we'd have to cancel the entire thing."
"We host a holiday ball every Saturday. We have the space and staff for it."
"You make the food there?" I asked her, wondering how involved this would be.
"Yes."
"At least we don't have to figure out catering."
"I was thinking we could serve finger foods and desserts, of course."
Sofia nodded approvingly. "Ice cream and cake."
Eve nodded. "And maybe something like chocolate-covered strawberries."
"Yes," Sofia breathed in agreement.
"Why don't you help me pick out the desserts, Sofia? I'll show you some possibilities, and you could tell me what the other children will most likely enjoy."
Sofia nodded eagerly. "That sounds fun."
Eve grinned. "Party planning is fun. It's what I always wanted to do, ever since I was your age."
"Did you dress up like a princess too?" Sofia asked.
"Of course. I loved pretty dresses and doing my hair in dance updos. My sister and I spent hours trying to style our hair and, then later, figuring out makeup."
"I don't have a sister," Sofia said, more subdued.
"I bet you have lots of friends, and you have your father."
Sofia spread her arms out. "Our family is huge."
I couldn't help but laugh. When was the last time I laughed at dinner? I was usually just happy if I got a home-cooked meal on the table and Sofia ate a few bites. I was trying so hard not to fail that I forgot about enjoying moments like this.
"You're so lucky to have a close family. Growing up, it was just my parents and my sister."
"And now?" Sofia asked.
Eve let out a breath as if the burden of the question was heavy for her. "Now it's just me and my sister. My parents died in an accident."
Sofia's face screwed up. "My mother died too."
Eve reached across the table to touch her hand. "Then you know what that feels like."
"It sucks."
Eve nodded. "It does."
I should have stopped the conversation, but I had a feeling this was good for Sofia.
She met someone else who'd lost her mother.
Maybe not at the same age, but the sense of loss was still similar.
They had a connection that I didn't share with Sofia.
I still had both of my parents. I hadn't grown up like Sofia would, without her mother.
As a little girl, it had to be a huge loss.
I'd never be able to take the place of her mother.
"Thank you for sharing that with me," Eve said as she pulled her hand back. "Now, how many people are we expecting at the party?"
We slipped into discussing the boring details of the party, and Sofia eventually asked to be excused to watch TV. I let her because I knew she wouldn't enjoy this part of the planning. When we finished eating, I got up and cleared the dishes.
We continued to go over details while I cleaned. Eve pulled out a tablet at some point to take notes and to show me ideas she had for decor.
It was a relief to know that Eve had done this before and would be able to help.
I leaned a hip against the counter while she set her tablet down.
"Why did Frank think you needed a date for the party?"
I rolled my shoulders back to ease the tension. "He wants me to be less grumpy."
"And he thinks I can help with that?" Eve asked, her brow furrowed.
"Frank likes you," I said simply.
She chewed her bottom lip.
"I want to be fire chief, and I need to look and act the part. Right now, that feels impossible." Ever since Marla had died, I was just trying to survive. Every day was a chore I had to get through. I wasn't enjoying the time I got to live.
I had a feeling Marla wouldn't approve of the way I'd handled things. But then again, she wasn't here, and I was.
I had to figure out a way to go on, and I was doing the best I could.