The Daughter He Wanted. Kristina Knight

the children about art history, and I can see how their work changes with that knowledge throughout the year. Some of them are really good.”

      “But, sweetheart—”

      “Mommy’s paintings are the best in the school. I seen them in the library.” Kaylie enunciated the last word. She had barbecue sauce all over her face and she turned a megawatt smile to Paige. Dot shot an annoyed look at Kaylie.

      Alison scraped her chair back. “Who wants dessert? I know I’d love some chocolate cake.” She looked around the table at the still-half-full plates. “Okay, chocolate cake it is. Kaylie, why don’t you help me cut a few slices?” She held out her hand and Kaylie jumped up from the table.

      “Can we cut them in shapes?”

      “Sure, kiddo,” Alison said as she slid the glass doors open. “We’ll make cutout cake slices.”

      Their voices trailed off as she slid the door closed behind them. She refused to have the rest of this conversation before virtual strangers so Paige turned to the other side of the table.

      “Tuck, Alex, could you give us a few minutes?” Paige asked and waited until the men closed the door.

      “It’s nice, dear, that you enjoy the school work,” said Dot, a patronizing note in her voice that was the opposite of the slightly uncomfortable expression on her face. She seemed to bite her tongue for a moment.

      “I like my job, Mother—”

      Dot cut her off. “But the fact remains that your talent is above decorating school libraries or a child’s bedroom. We only want what’s best for you.” She pressed her fingers to her temple again. “So stressful, wanting the best for children who don’t listen. Hank?”

      He nodded and stood, not saying a word.

      “Think about what I said, dear. Your work could be hanging in a real gallery if you would only apply yourself.”

      Paige didn’t trust herself to reply with the calm she’d perfected over the past few years. So she focused her attention on gathering the plates left at the table. A few minutes later, Dot and Hank were gone. The door slid open.

      “And I thought my parents were disappointed when I decided to hike for a living,” Tuck said. His flippant words had the desired effect. The ice chilling the backyard thawed and talk turned to football and Alison’s work at a local winery.

      Kaylie skipped onto the deck and finished her juice before running back to the swing set, certain the trapeze was ready for her this time. Alison gathered two serving bowls and started for the kitchen; Tuck followed with the platters of chicken, leaving Paige and Alex alone on the porch.

      “I really did think your painting was good.”

      “Thanks.” Her word was a whisper, and when she caught sympathy in his gaze she knew a hint of pain still shone through her green eyes. “I’m sorry about that. Alison was supposed to call them to cancel but she forgot.” Paige tossed her napkin on her plate. “I should have been the one to call, but somehow they can still make me feel so small.” She folded her arms over her chest.

      “I’ve seen worse.”

      “No, you haven’t.”

      “I changed my major from accounting to natural sciences my sophomore year. My dad was an accountant. His dad. My mother’s brother. My parents thought I was turning into a hippie or something.”

      “Really?” Paige finally looked at him. Alex nodded. “I keep telling myself I won’t do that to Kaylie. I want to be her support, her encouragement. Not a stumbling block to her happiness.”

      “Then you will be.”

      “How can you be so sure?”

      “You’re doing a great job, from what I’ve seen, so far.”

      Paige felt herself glow at the compliment. “Thank you.”

      Alex shrugged. He was quiet for a long moment, watching the little girl across the yard. He could see this becoming a normal part of his life. He’d always wanted family, kids. And, yeah, he thought that was over when Dee died, but maybe...

      Kaylie climbed to the top of the ladder and squinted her eyes at the trapeze swinging lightly in the breeze.

      Alex held his breath when she flexed her knees, still studying the handrail. Then she reached forward and jumped. Caught the handle, swung forward and back a few times, giggling madly across the yard. When the trapeze slowed, she dropped to the ground and circled back to the ladder.

      “Good job, sweetpea,” Paige called across the yard, clapping for the little girl.

      Paige was right. The two of them were a unit. They didn’t need him, not the way he suddenly seemed to need them.

      “Would you like to go to dinner sometime? Just us?” The words escaped before he could pull them back. Paige turned, green eyes wide. She swallowed and put her hand to her throat.

      “Why? What?” Paige asked, her voice unsteady.

      Even if he could, Alex didn’t want to take the words back. He wanted more days like this one.

      Maybe Paige and Kaylie were his second chance. Different from what he’d imagined, but second chances didn’t come along every day.

      Maybe moving fast was worth the risk. So he repeated himself.

      “Do you want to go to dinner sometime? Just the two of us?”