Page 7 of Santa Daddy’s Accidental Little Helper

CHAPTER SEVEN

Elaine

The way he said all this made me wonder if we ever stood a chance of getting together in the first place. It was amazing to know that everything could have been so different if Jessica had ever answered my questions about whether or not her job was hiring or not. As mad as I was for the way she had been behaving the other night when I got back from my first day, I was actually starting to feel more and more grateful for what she had done.

The only reason why I was here in the first place was because she had recently gotten into a pretty nasty argument with her ex and was worried that he might try to come back. I hoped that, once spring came, things would have calmed down to the point that I could move out on my own, and she would be able to move out into a better neighborhood than she currently lived in. It was a hope that kept us both going, and I knew she stood a chance on her own.

I, on the other hand, had nowhere else to go. Now that we were both out of the house, Mother and Father had moved to a nursing home, and they sold the house when they finally left. I had tried to convince them to let me have it, but, after everything, I now saw that it was for the best. So, instead, I would find my own place and start to build a life for myself. It’s what they wanted for me.

Thinking back to what Jessica had said when I came home, I finally understood what she meant when she said that she knew plenty of people who would have leaped at the chance to be with Henry. If he owned the biggest parts business in the city, it meant that he was likely making a lot more money than most people, making him all the more attractive. While I could admit that money was tempting, I already knew that I could never be with anyone for just their money. However, I also knew that there were more than enough people who didn’t care either way.

Hearing his statement, several questions started to pop into my head, and I wondered if he was implying that he wanted to be with me. I would have loved the opportunity to be with him, especially after how kind and gentle he had been all week, but I also wondered about his intentions towards me. While I contemplated this, he continued to eat his meal.

“Did I say anything inappropriate?” he finally asked as he looked up at me. Noticing my plate, which had barely been touched, he frowned. “Or is something else wrong?” Taking a deep breath, I gave him a gentle smile.

“I have a question for you,” I told him, and he nodded as he wiped his mouth on the napkin in front of him. “Do you think we stand a chance now? That is, regardless of everything that’s already happened?” He paused for a moment, considering my question for a brief moment, and I felt my heart start to sink as I stared at him.

This was it. It was the moment of truth, and I knew there was nothing I could do to stop it or take it back. The question was out there, and I had to suffer through whatever his answer was in order to learn his true feelings towards me. After thinking it over, he nodded in response.

“Actually, I do,” he said with a gentle smile as he stared at me from across the table. “I would love to keep seeing you and get to spend more time with you. I find you to be a very smart, attractive woman who seems like she knows who she is and what she wants.” Pausing, he took a drink of water, and I felt my cheeks burning red in embarrassment as he continued. “Makes me wonder what else about you I don’t know already.” Wondering what he meant, I shrugged.

“Well, I love reading and spending time with friends,” I informed him, wondering if this is what he meant. “Also, I like to watch movies and play board games.” Raising an eyebrow at me, he tilted his head to the side.

“What kind of movies and board games?” he asked, and I thought for a moment.

“Any, I suppose,” I informed him. “It’s not my absolute favorite thing to do, but it gives me the opportunity to do something besides stay at home.” He chuckled as he nodded in response.

“That’s a fair assumption,” he agreed before looking back down at his empty plate. “So, what exactly do you look for in a man?” Caught off guard by this question, I shrugged.

“I guess someone big and strong,” I told him, trying not to directly describe him in case I was mistaken by what he was implying with all these questions. “I want him to be able to take care of me and allow me to follow my passions and hobbies, but he’ll keep me out of trouble as well so that I never have to worry about getting hurt.” Smiling, he offered me his hand across from the table.

“Would you allow me to be that man?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious as he spoke. Confused by the fact that he was volunteering to be the man I dreamed of, I couldn’t help but stop and stare at him in disbelief, trying to determine if he was serious or not.

If he truly meant it, I would have said yes in a heartbeat and gladly allowed him to get to work right away. However, if he wasn’t, and I found out, I would never be able to live with the embarrassment. I wanted to be absolutely sure before I just handed my heart over to him and allowed him to break it without another thought. When I realized that he was actually waiting for a response, I found myself nodding.

“I would love for you to be that man,” I told him, a smile spreading across my face as I stared at him. “I want you to be the one I spend the rest of my life with, no matter what.” Immediate;y, his gaze brightened, and he returned my smile.

“That’s great to hear,” he said, sounding both relieved and a little exhausted, almost as if something had been bothering him despite his efforts to hide it. “That means I can finally be with you the way I wanted and not have to worry about being judged because of it.” Confused by what he meant, I frowned and tilted my head to the side as I stared at him in confusion.

“What do you mean?” I asked, and he nodded towards the plate in front of me.

“Eat up, first,” he told me, a playful smile still on his face as he spoke. “Once you’re done, I can show you what I mean as long as you consent.” Realizing what he meant, I nodded in agreement and hurried to finish my dinner, my heart racing as I grew excited by the idea of getting to be with him.