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Chapter Eight
Liam put her back into her footed pajamas after running a towel all over her, warming her skin. Gathering up her wet things, he led her downstairs, hanging them on hooks across the mantel. He placed her boots on the hearth. “Why don’t you run up and pick a book to read. I’m going to go out and get some more firewood.”
“I’ll help.”
“Nope. I just got you warmed up. You can choose a game as well. You can read while I cook dinner and then after, we’ll play a game.”
“All right.”
He made three trips in and out, refilling the niche in the stone wall with wood and then adding a few logs to the flames.
“It’s snowing again,” he told her.
She jumped up from one of the chairs and ran to the window. “Wow, maybe tomorrow we can build Mr. Snowy a friend.”
“If it keeps snowing like this, we can build him an entire family!” He scooped her up, returned her to the chair, and tucked an afghan around her. Kissing her nose, he left her to read as he went to prepare their dinner. As he sliced potatoes and shredded cheese, he realized that he couldn’t be more content. He’d thought he’d spend a week in solitude, recharging his batteries and yet hadn’t been that excited to come to his favorite spot on earth. But now, with his little one curled up in a chair before the fire while he worked to prepare one of her favorite dishes, snow falling outside the windows, he knew he could stay right where he was for the rest of his life.
Once the pork loin and potato casserole were in the oven, he cut the asparagus, giving it a coating of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. It would go in the oven but not quite yet. While he waited, he went to lift Elena from the chair, settling her on his lap and tucking the afghan around her again. “Good book?”
“Yes, one of my favorites,” she said, keeping her place with her finger but closing it to show him the cover.
“Ah, Little Women. I remember you loved the movie as well. Though I seem to remember it made you cry.”
“I know, but I still love it. I guess you can’t have everything be perfect all the time.”
He hugged her close. “No, I don’t suppose so. If it were, then you’d not truly recognize those moments that are perfect or treasure them as deeply.”
She pressed her cheek against his chest. “I know I said I’m sorry, but I hope you know how much I mean it.”
“I do, Elena. You’ve no need to apologize again. You paid the price for your mistake and have given me several of those perfect moments to treasure.”
“I did?”
“Oh, yes, baby. I treasure the moments you call me Daddy. I treasure every giggle I hear. I treasure our play in the snow.”
She smiled. “I treasure all those too, but most of all, I treasure this moment, right now. I’ve missed this so much.”
He bent to press his lips to the top of her head. “I promise there will be many more moments to treasure, my love. Now, read to me.”
She read aloud for a bit as he closed his eyes and soaked in her voice and the weight of her on his lap. All too soon, the buzzer on the stove had him returning to the kitchen.
Missing her, he called out, “Elena, would you like to come set the table?”
“Can we eat in front of the fire, Daddy?” she asked, skipping toward him.
“That’s a lovely idea, baby.”
She set placemats, cutlery, and napkins on the coffee table. When she got behind one of the armchairs to push it closer to the table, he called out, “No, Elena. That chair is too heavy. Why don’t you just put down some floor cushions? They are in that trunk in the corner.”
The word corner had her looking toward where she’d spent her first ‘reflection’ time and he smiled.
“The other corner, baby girl.”
After she’d picked two and placed them on top of the rug, dinner was ready. Bringing their plates to the table, he sat across from her. He chuckled when she closed her eyes and moaned after taking a bite.
Her eyes opened, her face flushed and she giggled. “Sorry, but this is so good. I could eat your potatoes every meal of my life. Thank you for making them.”
“You’re very welcome, but don’t forget to eat your vegetable.”
