Page 78 of A Home for Harmony

“Why don’t you come around nine,” he said. “I’ll make breakfast and we can all talk some more.”

“I won’t tell Mom,” Scarlet said. “Not yet.”

His daughter got up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Not something she did often, but then moved over and hugged Harmony.

Harmony accepted it easily, as if they’d been friends for years.

“See you tomorrow,” Harmony said. “It was nice to meet you.”

The minute his daughter was gone, he said, “You’re okay with this?”

She got up on her knees and gave him a kiss. “I think the bigger question is if you’re okay with it.”

He frowned. “Yes, why?”

“Because I could see how worried you were that she’d be upset. I’m glad she’s not.”

“No,” he said. “I mean, yes, I was worried. She’s never seen me with anyone other than Trinda. You heard her.”

“Which is bad on your part. Your ex-wife dates. You’ve admitted you have. She needs to see that you’re human. That just because you’re not married anymore doesn’t mean you’re not trying. Everyone needs good examples in life.”

He closed one eye at her. “What makes you think I’m not a good example in my daughter’s life?”

“Because she was sad that she thought you were putting her first,” she said. “At ten, it’s great. At sixteen, she’s smart enough to know. You told me she’s made comments to you about dating before.”

“Am I going to get a lecture tonight on parenting?”

Harmony sat back down and the smile left her face. “No. I’m sorry. I told you my father wasn’t around much when I was younger. We weren’t close. We are more now, but that is why I never knew when he’s dating. He doesn’t share those personal parts of his life with us. It feels as if we aren’t worthy of it. Maybe think of it from that point of view too.”

Shit. “I never have.”

“Not to lecture, but you should open your eyes. Your daughter seems pretty self-aware of things. She wants you to be happy, just like you want her to be.”

“What about you?” he asked. He wasn’t sure he was ready to talk too much more about his daughter with Harmony.

It was just as new for him as it was for her.

“What about me?”

“Are you happy?” he asked. “With me? With us?”

“I am. And you’re bothered that she asked what we’ve got in common, aren’t you?”

“A little,” he said. “We don’t do much and I hate that.”

“I think we don’t because there is a part of you that doesn’t want people to see us out. Are you embarrassed to be dating me?”

“No,” he said. “And now I think you might feel that way. Do you?”

“I’m not embarrassed to be dating a slab of bacon. I’ve been bragging about you to Erica for a long time. My sister-in-law, Daisy, and brother Theo know too. They’d all like to meet you.”

“But you’re not pushing,” he said. “And I feel like crap now.”

“Don’t,” she said. “But open your mind. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two if you let me.”

“Oh, baby, you already have.”

Her eyes were shifting around, looking into his, almost a little glossy. Definitely soft and tender.