“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“My wife, Maya, Ellie’s grandmother, is sick. Need to take her to New York for extensive treatment at a good hospital they say they’ve got there. After that, we’re moving down to Florida to stay with her sister until .?.?. well, it’s something I didn’t think Ellie should be in the middle of.”
My brother’s face is a mask as he stares back at Cole. Then a quick glance at Ellie. “You take your daughter’s word for it?”
“Dallas,” I warn. This is where the disrespect needs to stop.
“It’s all right,” Cole offers kindly. “I do, Mr. Thorne. Look, I know this can’t be easy, finding out you have a six-year-old daughter. And after Tammy, Maya and I never planned on giving her up for anything, but it would be selfish to drag her through all that if she’s got .?.?. someone else who deserves to know her.”
Dallas sniffs with a light headshake.
“She goes to Blue River Elementary. She plays soccer.”
“Wait, what are you saying?”
Cole hesitates. “Before coming here, we told Ellie she had a father close by. We gave her a choice. And she wanted to meet you.”
Dallas glances back at the girl like he’s waking up from a dream.
“We’d still be in her life as much as possible, of course, but if this is something you both want .?.?. she’d live with you.”
“You trust me with your granddaughter?”
“Not by a long shot. But you are her father. I’ve been asking around about you for three years, since Tammy died, and hear nothing but good things.” His eyes roam over Dallas once more as if wondering if he’s got the right guy.
“Where do you live?” he demands like it’s a test.
“East side of town.”
“You telling me she’s been in Blue River for six years and I didn’t know?” Dallas snaps.
Cole scowls. “My wife and I have only known the last three. So you can either ask me to get off your property or you can talk to her while I’m feeling kind.”
For a second, I think Dallas is going to tell Cole to take the little girl and get off his property. But instead, he rasps in defeat, “Can I talk to her?”
Cole hesitates.
“I’d just like to sit with her for a minute .?.?. while you’re feeling kind,” he grinds.
Cole nods. “Go right ahead.”
Dallas starts toward the bench, then turns back. “You say she plays soccer?”
“Only girl on her team. And one of the best.”
A ghost of a grin flickers across Dallas’s face before he turns and strides toward the bench.
“Was this a bad idea?” Cole asks, and I’m not certain he’s asking me or himself. But I answer anyway.
“Bad? No. Brave and .?.?. selfless, perhaps.”
Cole looks at me. “He’s in no shape to take care of a child.”
No, he’s not.
“When you leavin’?”
“Sooner the better.” He watches them like he’s not sure when that will be.
