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“It would depend on what my wife wanted. She might like a little distance from my family.”
“No way. I’d have loved a big family like this one. And the woman for you has to put family first, or it will never work.”
“It was just you and your dad, right?” I asked.
Sammie nodded, shutting her day planner. “Until he passed away.”
“When Chloe was a baby, right?”
She gazed at me for a moment, a glint of surprise in her eyes. “That’s correct. Good memory.”
I remembered everything she told me. Hanging on every word might be a good way to describe how I listened to Sammie.
“My mother died when I was an infant,” Sammie said. “Daddy raised me on his own.”
Grief tainted her voice. Grief that had not lessened over time. “You must miss him.”
“More than you could ever imagine,” Sammie said. “He was the one person I could always count on. You remind me of him. He always put others first, just like you. That’s why he never remarried. He didn’t want to risk bringing the wrong person into my life. I wish he’d done more for himself, though. He deserved to find happiness with someone. He didn’t have enough joy or love in his life.”
“He had you,” I said. “I’d venture to bet having a daughter like you felt like enough to him.”
“That’s nice of you to say.” She paused, taking in a breath. “Since Daddy died, I’m not accustomed to people giving me compliments.”
“I could say more. A lot more.” I waited, holding my breath, hoping she would ask me to elaborate. Instead, we were interrupted by Chloe running in from the mudroom. She launched herself into my arms, planting a wet kiss on my cheek.
“I have a surprise for you, Miss Chloe,” I said.
“What is it?” Big blue eyes stared at me with the same guarded expression her mother had displayed when I’d asked about the swing. As if I were about to say something cruel or disappointing. At three years old? What had Chloe’s father done to them?
“I’m going to hang a swing for you on the big tree out front. Do you want to go with me to the barn to gather my materials?” I set her down on the floor and knelt to speak to her. “You can help me pick out the piece of wood for the seat.”
“Yes, yes.” She squealed and bounced on the tips of her toes. “When?”
“Right now. And guess what else? Soren brought home another dozen chicks from the feed store. Do you want to see them?”
Chloe had gotten so excited earlier in the spring when he’d brought home the first batch that I hadn’t had the heart to tell her we’d lost half of them when a fox invaded the henhouse. I didn’t want her afraid to go into the barn, so I hadn’t mentioned it.
“I put on shoes.” She dashed back into the mudroom to pull on her sneakers with the Velcro fasteners.
As I headed that way, Sammie got up from the table and reached out a hand to stop me. “Truly, Thad, thank you. For everything.”
There was so much more I could do and say and be. If only she’d let me.
“Anything you need, I’m here. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
She gazed into my eyes. “You know, I almost believe it’s true when it comes out of your mouth.”
“Why wouldn’t it be true?”
“Because most promises are empty, or worse, downright lies.”
“I’d never lie to you.”
She darted away, avoiding my eyes. Her cheeks flushed pink as she returned to her day planner, dipping her chin.
“Sammie?” I asked. “What is it?”
Her gaze remained on the paper. “There are certain things I wish I could tell you, but I can’t.”
