AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Voila.”
Scarlett’s jaw drops. “That’s it? It just needed gas?”
“Yup.”
“Why do I feel like you knew that all along?”
“Because I did.”
“Dad!”
Scarlett and I turn at the sound of Chloe’s voice. She’s standing at my back door, looking toward the garage.
“Over here, Chlo,” I holler.
Chloe swivels around and darts across the yard barefoot then skids to a halt a few feet in front of us. “Can I please have more time on the iPad? I promise I won’t—whoa. You’re…” Chloe blinks several times. Her eyes dart to mine and then back to Scarlett. “I…I can’t believe it…You’re…”
“Chloe.” I swat her arm. “You’re being rude.”
“Dad, that’s Scarlett Kincaid.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“The Scarlett Kincaid.”
“I’m sorry about Chloe,” I whisper to Scarlett, embarrassed. “She’s normally not like this.”
“It’s okay.” Scarlett wipes her hand off on her shirt and holds it out to Chloe. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Chloe’s jaw hangs open as she clasps her hand around Scarlett’s. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m a huge fan. Like a huge fan. My dad has told me so much about you.”
Scarlett lifts a brow and looks at me. “He has?”
“She means your dad.”
“No, I don’t.” Chloe shakes her head, drops Scarlett’s hand, and looks at me. “You told me all about her.” She turns her attention back on Scarlett. “He said you were his best friend and that he knew you’d be a star one day. ‘She was born for it,’ isn’t that what you said, Dad?”
Scarlett’s eyes search mine, looking for the truth, and I feel my cheeks heat.
“Your dad talks about you all the time, too,” Chloe says, continuing her one-sided conversation. “He’s so proud of you. Sometimes, we just sit and listen to your music. He knows every song of yours word for word, just like me. And a few months ago, he let me play that old guitar that’s under your bed.”
Scarlett’s head whips toward Chloe, and I’m thankful for the momentary reprieve of her knowing gaze. “He still has that?”
“Oh, yeah. And it’s in perfect shape. Rick cleans it regularly and makes sure all the strings are in good condition. He’s even had it tuned a few times.”
“Why would he do that?” Scarlett asks softly, although I’m certain her words weren’t meant to be said out loud. Chloe answers anyway.
“Because he was waiting for you to come home.”
“He…what?”
“Well, he didn’t say that exactly, but that’s the vibe I got. He wanted to make sure it was ready for you when you came home.”
Scarlett blinks and looks down at the ground. There’s a long pause, and then she glances up. Her wide, brown eyes are swimming with tears. “And I never did.”
“Chloe, can you go inside and…do something?” I ask.
“Do what?”
“I don’t care. Something. Wash your hair.”
“But my hair is clean.”
“Do your homework.”
“It’s Saturday.”
“Chloe,” I snap.
She holds up her hands. “Okay, okay. I’m going.”
I wait until she’s out of earshot to turn to Scarlett. A tear trickles down her cheek, and I fight the urge to wipe it away.
“You were right.” Her voice cracks. “I was selfish. I am selfish. I left without a second thought and broke my daddy’s heart.”
“Scarlett—”
She shakes her head and swallows. “Please, don’t. Don’t try to justify my actions.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Good.” She brushes away the tears and looks up. “I’m gonna go in and get cleaned up.”
“Okay.”
She steps away, and I reach for the lawnmower.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll finish it later. Just not right now. I need a minute to myself.”
“I don’t mind. Go take a shower and relax. I’ve got this.”
Her bottom lip quivers, and she nods before slipping into the house.
It only takes about twenty minutes to mow Rick’s lawn, and then another ten to weed-eat. When I’m finished, I top both tools off with gas and make sure they’re ready to use next time. When I’m stepping out of the garage, I notice Scarlett standing by her dad’s back door.
Her wet hair hangs over her shoulders. Her eyes aren’t red or puffy, but they hold a sadness that tugs at my heart.
“The yard is good for at least another two weeks.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Hey, Tucker?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you and Chloe like to come over for dinner tonight? I’m cooking.”
“You?” I fight back a grin and expect a smart-ass comment, but it never comes. Instead, Scarlett’s back stiffens, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“Six o’clock. Come or don’t come. I don’t care either way.”
She darts back inside before I have a chance to tell her we’ll be there.
“That was amazing.” I wad up my napkin and toss it on the plate. “I’m stuffed.”
“You did a wonderful job, sweetheart,” Rick says, rubbing his belly. “And you didn’t even burn the house down.”
Scarlett chucks her napkin at her dad, and we all laugh.
“What’s for dessert?” Chloe asks.
“Chloe—”
“What? Like you weren’t thinking it.”
