So far, everyone was taking it differently. Her mother had been quietly pleased, while her father and Anna had a much different opinion. They were skeptical about his intentions and worried about how Amelia would take the revelation once she found out.
But mostly they were scared, just like her, that he would spiral like he had before and bail out of their lives once again. Daisy knew that was why her heart was racing as they walked down the street to the park. She didn’t care what Jameson could do to her, but what he could do to Amelia… She would die before she allowed him to break her heart, too.
Daisy held on to Amelia’s cold hand as they entered the expansive park they frequented often.
It was nearly empty. A few older kids shot hoops on the far basketball court, and on the bench by the play set sat a man in a San Francisco Giants cap.
Jameson.
He must have felt their presence because even from a few feet away he turned as if they were right beside him.
Daisy stopped abruptly and Amelia jerked at the sudden halt. Daisy forced her feet forward, pretending calm she didn’t feel.
Jameson stood, his eyes fixed on the little girl at Daisy’s side.
“Look who it is,” Daisy said brightly. Too brightly.
Amelia frowned. “What?”
“It’s my friend from the gallery show. Remember?”
Recognition dawned. She stopped short in front of him. “Yeah—thebig gnomeguy.”
Jameson chuckled.
Daisy groaned. “Amelia…”
“Sorry, Mom.”
He crouched to Amelia’s height, hand outstretched. “I’m Jameson. Nice to see you again.”
Amelia hesitated, then shook his hand. “Why are you here?”
He glanced up at Daisy for help. She shrugged.
Before either of them could answer, Amelia went on. “Isn’t it kinda creepy to sit in a park all by yourself?”
His mouth fell open. Fair point. He looked down at his workout clothes and Nike tennis shoes, then answered, “I was on a run. I needed a break. Figured I’d catch my breath on this bench.”
She accepted that without fuss. “Okay. Well, since you’re here, want to push me on the swing? My mom never goes high enough.”
Despite the jab, Daisy’s chest ached with warmth. One minute, and Amelia was already letting him in.
“I’d be happy to, as long as it’s okay with your mum.”
Amelia turned and batted her big eyes.
“Sure, just nottoohigh.”
Jameson’s face glowed with unguarded joy as Amelia dragged him away.
They played for nearly half an hour. Slides, monkey bars, swings. Daisy pretended to read, but her eyes kept straying to them. Amelia did take after him and not just in appearance. They were both outspoken, fearless, endlessly persistent. People who could disarm you in minutes and make you feel as if you’d known them forever.
Of course, even the most magnetic people couldn’t compete with a pack of eight-year-olds. When a group of girls called Amelia over to play Duck, Duck, Goose, Jameson was instantly replaced and almost looked relieved when he collapsed beside Daisy.
“Parenting is hard work, huh?” Daisy teased.
“She didn’t stop once. I don’t think she took a single breath.”
