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“You can make a pipe animal too. It’s easy, Daddy.”
“What should I make? Maybe a dog?” Caleb was trying to think of something easy and that Joelle would like as a gift when he was done. That is if he had more talent for making pipe animals than he did at balancing the books. But this would be way more fun.
“I think you should make Star,” Joelle said, her blue eyes lit with excitement at the idea.
“I thought this was animals?” Caleb teased.
“Star’s an animal. She’s a horse…even I know that,” Joelle said, handing him a white pipe cleaner.
“Star it is.” Of course, he’d known what his daughter meant, but where was the fun in not doing a play on the words for a little humor? He tried to get a sense of what to do by checking out the completed pipe animals while Madison and Joelle worked on new ones.
“You’re doing great. You just need the glue to tack on some eyes and some paint to make the hooves black,” Madison said, handing him a strip of small plastic containers. The back of his hand caught the edge of the strip, turning it up on end, black paint coming out of the open tub and landing on the sleeve of Madison’s blue blouse.
“I’m so sorry,” he exclaimed as she stepped back, looking down in horror at the mess he was making. He reached out and tried to wipe off the paint.
“Stop, you’re making it worse,” Madison said, moving to the sink. “It will be okay, I promise.”
“Daddy made a big mess,” Joelle said, one hand over her mouth as she laughed, Madison joining in.
He was the only one who saw no humor in ruining Madison’s clothes. Even though it was in fact, how they met. Madison getting Caleb and his daughter covered in mud. “It’s such a beautiful blouse and I’ve ruined it. Hopefully, you’ll let me pay for the mistake or maybe I can buy you another one to replace it.”
Madison’s smile grew wider. “That would be difficult to do.”
“Why is that?” he asked.
Madison leveled him with a thoughtful gaze, an eyebrow quirked upward slightly. “It’s one of a kind.”
Ouch. Caleb knew nothing about fashion, but he understoodone of a kind. It usually came with a hefty price tag. The royal blue blouse with its open shoulder keyholes, and delicate lace trim that framed the V-neck and trailed down the sleeves, all but shouted expensive. “I’m truly sorry. Just tell me how much and I’ll add it to your paycheck.” Yes, he needed to be careful with his money now, but it was only right he paid for something he destroyed. Even if it was an accident.
“As much as I’d loved the bonus, it won’t be necessary as I didn’t pay for the blouse…well, other than my time and material. It’s one of my designs,” Madison said.
“Really? It’s lovely.” Her words had taken him by surprise, not because he knew the first thing about fashion, but because he knew high quality and pretty. And he had noticed the shade of royal blue matched her eyes perfectly when she’d first arrived this morning. And that the soft material fell gracefully to fit her curves. It was also a thought he shoved aside, helped, of course, knowing his uncle had been present. “Perhaps I could still pay you something?” he offered, at a loss for what else to do.
“Let’s just call us even since Freida got you all muddy and you wouldn’t accept my help. Besides, look,” she said, holding up her arm and the sleeve for his inspection. “All gone.”
Caleb was shocked, but mostly relieved. “Wow. You must have some magical powers to get a black stain out.”
Madison grinned. “Nope. It’s called washable paint,” she teased. “Time to finish our animals and then I’ve got to make lunch.”
“Washable paint. Who knew? But I’m glad. I should get back to work on the books. I’ve made enough of a mess for one afternoon.” His brief break had been disastrous, but he had enjoyed it while it lasted. Just a little something to take his mind off the serious side of life.
“I’ll finish making Star. I’m going to make her beautiful. She’ll be perfect for you, Daddy.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Star was perfect…just not perfect for him. And another reason for him to get back to work. Having fun with Madison and his daughter didn’t seem right. It should have been Lauren and his daughter, but that was impossible considering God had called Lauren home.
Chapter Eight
Joellewasbusyplayingschool with her dolls and failed to notice Caleb’s arrival, but Madison stood and crossed the room, closing the distance between them. “You look like a man on a mission. What’s up?”
“I’ve got to run to the store if you think you’ll be all right here? His gaze drifted toward Joelle. It would be the first time leaving them alone, proof he was headed in the right direction. Time away from his normal routine would do him good, even if for nothing more than to rebuild his confidence in life.
Madison nodded. “Absolutely. We’ve got lots to keep us busy. Take your time. Maybe you should stop at the diner and grab a coffee. Talk to folks.”
“The store will be enough this go round. You’re sure about this, right?” Caleb hesitated by the front door; indecision etched on his face. How would he ever let his daughter go to kindergarten if he didn’t start working on trusting others to care for his daughter?
“Go. That’s an order,” she said, laughing at him as she opened the door and gave him a gentle shove. “Joelle won’t even notice you left. It’s the first day of doll school and she’s the teacher, so she has to give the students her utmost attention.” Madison grinned.
“Thanks. I think. It’s not saying much if she doesn’t notice I’m gone.” Caleb frowned, but he stepped off the porch.
