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I immediately feel the weight of her stare burning into the side of my face. I peer over and make eye contact with her.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“You’ll see.”
“I’m here under false pretenses.” Her hand goes to the door handle.
“Don’t go. I shouldn’t have said I needed you for a work thing. But if I hadn’t, would you still be here?”
She rolls her lips inward for a moment, then shakes her head. “I wouldn’t have come.”
“I’m asking you to trust me and to spend a few hours with my daughter and me. Can you do that?”
She needs to agree. But I won’t force her.
“Yes.”
I exhale a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” she says as I back from the driveway. “You might regret bringing me wherever we’re going.”
“Maeve, do you root for the Coyotes?” Gwen calls out.
I’m happy for the change of subject.
“Yes, I do.”
“I wore my favorite Coyotes t-shirt. My grandpa got it for me.”
“Let me see.” She peers into the back seat. “I love that. I only have a sweatshirt. I should get some more gear, but it’s expensive. You’d think with me working for the owner himself, I’d get some free stuff.”
I chuckle. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Dad, you need to give Maeve a cool t-shirt like mine.”
Maeve laughs. “She’s definitely your daughter.”
I nod. “She’s not afraid to express her opinion.”
“Hello. I’m right here.” Gwen lets us know she’s listening.
The rest of the ride passes quickly and silently. I park in the designated lot, and we head down the sidewalk.
“Don’t I get a clue about where we’re going?” Maeve asks.
“We’re almost there,” Gwen says.
Maeve dismissively waves her hand. “Pfft. That’s not a clue.”
“Actually, it is,” Gwen states.
“Oh, look, we’re here.” I open the door, ushering the two of them inside.
“We’re painting?” Maeve asks.
I nod. “We are.”
Maeve smiles. “Okay, maybe I forgive you for lying to get me here.”