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Again, Mia nodded, but her eyes had grown watery. “I know. She told me she couldn’t stay much longer and that she would miss me. So I told her I’d send her pictures, but she said I’d have to talk to you first.”
Roman sighed. Would that be better or worse? But the hope on his daughter’s face was impossible to crush. “I think that would be great. You and Cara can be pen pals.” He’d have to talk with Cara, though, to find out if she really intended to keep up communication with a little kid. Surely once she returned to her own place, she’d want to move on in her life.
“Thanks, Daddy,” Mia gushed, wrapping her arms about his neck.
Roman just hoped he hadn’t made another mistake to add to his long line of mistakes.
Mia released him and nestled beneath her covers. “Cara said she’ll mail me recipes that are just for kids! But she said I’d still have to ask you or Lila to help me.”
Roman stared at his daughter. Maybe Cara was fine with being a pen pal? It was hard to believe, but then again, she was a remarkable woman. “You like cooking that much, huh?”
“It’s fun.” Mia wrinkled her nose. “Except when I mess up. But Cara says to always plan on extra in case there are mistakes. She still makes mistakes, too.”
“She said all that, huh?”
Mia closed her eyes and released a dainty sigh. “Yeah. She’s the best, Daddy.”
Roman wasn’t sure how to answer that, because he kind of agreed, but wasn’t willing to go there with his personal thoughts. As it turned out, he didn’t need to answer, because Mia’s breathing turned deeper as she fell asleep.
He watched his daughter for a long moment. The smoothness of her face was unmarred by the worry and tears he’d been witness to so many times. In sleep, she was just a little girl, innocent of all tragedies in her past. Roman knew he wouldn’t be able to shield his daughter from the pain and hardships of the world, but he wanted to be sure he was always there for her. As a support, a listening ear, and a helping hand.
Finally, he rose to his feet. After turning off the bedside lamp, he strode across the room illuminated by a Barbie night-light. He paused in the doorway and glanced once again at the peaceful room, thinking about how Mia had bonded so easily with Cara. Did it mean something? That his daughter was ready to move forward in life? That she could love another mother?
Not that Roman was ready to jump into the dating pool. He’d learned a lot during his flirtation with Stacy. She was part of the show, and that was why they were constantly in each other’s paths. Roman seriously doubted he’d have dated her, or anyone else, except for that particular circumstance.
Yet Mia hadn’t clicked with Stacy, even when there was effort on Stacy’s part.
Mia had never sought out Lila for a bedtime story.
No. . . so maybe it wasn’t necessarily that Mia had become ready to move on. But it was Cara Prosper herself.
That only brought on another round of questions and thoughts. He pushed them away firmly, otherwise it would be another long, restless night. As he headed down the hallway toward his own bedroom, intending to read until he dropped off, he paused.
The kitchen lights were on, although all was quiet.
It wasn’t bothersome to him. Thayne always went through the house before he turned in, to make sure things were closed down for the evening. Maybe he hadn’t gotten to the kitchen yet.
Then he heard a clink of glass.
Was Lila in there stirring up a late-night snack?
Roman’s heart began to drum even before he decided to investigate. Because if it wasn’t Lila, it was most likely Cara.
Roman was too curious to shut himself in his bedroom. He could probably see what she was doing without even interrupting her. His footsteps were silent as he walked toward the kitchen. Pausing, he watched from the edge of the hallway as Cara stirred something in a pot on the stove.
A couple dozen glass goblets were lined up along the counter. Two plastic bowls containing some sort of powder or mix sat in front of the goblets. Cara’s hips swayed in front of the stove like she was listening to music, but nothing was playing. Then he realized she was wearing earbuds.
She’d changed into her cat-print leggings that were apparently her nightwear. Instead of an oversized sweatshirt, she wore a white long-sleeved shirt that hugged her curves. She’d tied her hair into a knot at the back of her neck, and tendrils of blonde hair brushed against her neck.
Roman was mesmerized as he watched her swaying to unknown music in his kitchen.
It had been a long time since he’d felt the need to cross the room and kiss a woman.
The urge was strong, but he merely folded his arms and leaned against the wall. This was as close as he’d allow himself to get. She’d be leaving . . . He’d just informed his daughter about that. No matter how much Mia—or he—liked Cara, she was temporary.
It would do no good for any of them to get their hearts involved.
Roman straightened from the wall, and was about to turn around, when Cara turned.
