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“I haven’t seen my mom in years.” Zoe’s eyes widened. “I don’t mind. I’ve always been close to my dad.”
“I’m sorry, Mandy.”
“It was a long time ago.” With a shrug, she added, “She isn’t a nice person.” Turning the subject back to Zoe, she asked, “Do your mom and sister know sign language?”
“No.” She swallowed hard. “It makes it hard for us to communicate. I try to be patient about it.”
“That must be so hard, Zoe. Why don’t you talk out loud? My grandma and aunt speak while they sign and they were born deaf.”
“I can’t hear myself.”
“Do you worry you won’t sound right and no one will tell you?” Zoe didn’t reply but the answer was fairly obvious. “You should practice with me. If it’s just the two of us, you won’t be as self-conscious.”
The brunette’s eyes were too bright, as if she was on the verge of tears.
Nate offered, “Honey, when Zoe is ready, I’m sure you’ll be the perfect person to show her she doesn’t have to worry.”
“You’re right.” To Zoe, she added, “Don’t mind me. I’m super pushy. Dad says I get it from Aunt No-No.”
Nate made silly faces with Mandy to put her at ease again.
“I…” Zoe paused as if to collect her thoughts. “Maybe I’d be able to try with you.” His daughter’s smile was brilliant. “My dad was always the one who encouraged me to push past obstacles. I’ve been more nervous since he died. Less likely to take risks.”
“I get that,” Mandy signed with a serious expression. “You know you can trust me to always be honest with you, don’t you?” Zoe nodded. “No pressure. You do what’s right for you. I’m here if you need me. Just like you’re always there when I need help with homework.”
Relaxed again, the two returned to their literary conversation and Nate knew Mandy did it to change the subject. He was incredibly proud of her ability to read people and determine what they needed.
Their food arrived a few minutes later and Vicki made small talk as she put down the plates. Mandy watched Zoe eat the healthy food she ordered and seemed to catalog information about her friend.
Finally, she said, “I think I’m around guys too much, Zoe. You have way better manners. Grandma wouldloveyou.”
Zoe laughed softly and he loved the opportunity to hear sound from a woman who was always utterly silent.
No woman had ever fascinated him as much.
Mandy ate, chatted, ate a little more, and he realized she purposely ate slower to drag out their time with the librarian.
Daintily dabbing at her lips, Zoe put down her napkin. “Would you like to come to the library Saturday morning, Mandy? I’m going to use the time while the guys are painting to catch up on projects. If it’s okay with your dad, you can help me go through donated books.”
“That would be awesome! Dad, I can ride in with you.” He nodded and she clapped her hands. “I want to be a volunteer. Like the older ladies. It would be good experience and our house isn’t far from the library. Can I?”
“I’d be glad of the help but you need to talk about it with your father first. I wouldn’t want your routine to suffer.”
Nate liked her ability to kick the decision back to him without seeming like a stuffy grown-up.
He stretched his arm across the back of the booth to grab the dessert menu and his t-shirt pulled taut over his torso. He watched Zoe’s eyes flick over his chest before returning to his eyes. He’d never been so glad of his natural build and looks. There was no doubt she appreciated it. She started to blush and his grin broadened.
Giving her a smile he’d known the power of since he was thirteen, he signed, “You two act like you’ve known each other forever. I like the way you are together. It makes me feel good.”
“Ifeellike I’ve known Zoe forever.” Mandy’s words made the brunette chuckle. “After we’re done on Saturday, maybe you could come out to our house and look at my project for the science fair. I’m worried I didn’t lay out the bibliography right.”
Nate made a mental note to give his daughter a raise in her allowance.
“I don’t usually spend much time away from my house,” Zoe signed. “If I don’t feed my cat, he leaves me a murder present from the little garden behind the house.”
Mandy wrinkled her nose. “A…murder present?”
Zoe nodded. “A bird or a mouse. It’s pretty awful.”
