“Oh, I think we still have some in the back. They sell out very quickly. Let me check. I’ll be right back,” she assured him, her voice filled with optimism.
“Yes, ma’am,” Deke nodded, watching her disappear into the storeroom. He casually touched the brim of his cowboy hat when two women passing by smiled at him.
“Here we go,” the saleswoman announced as she returned, holding the sought-after doll in its box.
Deke accepted the box, examining the doll that, to him, was just a larger version of the others. His eyes widened slightly when he caught sight of the price tag.
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath.
“Yes, they’re a little expensive,” she acknowledged with a sympathetic nod.
He sighed, resigned. “I’ll take it.”
Her smile broadened. “Great. Let me ring this up for you.” Deke followed her to the cash register, extracting his wallet from his pocket and fishing out his credit card.
“Is this for your daughter?” she inquired as she wrapped up the purchase.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, his voice steady.
“Oh, so you’re married?” she asked, her gaze flickering briefly to his unadorned left hand.
“No, ma’am,” he answered, his tone polite butfirm.
“I’m not either. Maybe we could have lunch or dinner sometime,” she suggested, her voice laced with a hint of hope.
“I’m sorry. I’m not from here. I’m here for a case, then I head back to Clifton,” he explained.
“A case? Are you a cop?” she inquired; curiosity piqued.
“Livestock agent,” he clarified.
“I see.” She nodded, giving him the total. He swiped his card and signed the receipt.
Deke picked up the bag containing the doll, nodded politely, and exited the store. He placed the bag carefully on the back seat of his truck.
“You’d better be worth every damn penny,” he muttered, catching a glimpse of it in the rearview mirror before starting the engine and driving off toward the local diner to get dinner for them. Once he got the food, he drove to Ava’s place.
He parked his truck at the bottom of the wooden steps leading to her porch. Though the sun was setting, it was still hot enough to make sweat bead at his temples. He cut the engine, climbed out, and lifted the brown bag of food in one hand, then he opened the back door, and removed the bag that held the doll. With cautious steps he climbed the stairs and rapped gently on the door.
His heart pounded. He’d never been a father before. He shook his head, reminding himself that a lot of man probably felt this way at some point.
The door swung open and Ava stood there, haloed by the golden light of the setting sun. Her welcoming smile caught his breath. The woman he’d longed to see again, always thought he never would, was right here.
“Hi,” she said softly. “Come in, out of this heat.”
After handing her the bag of food, he removed his hat, brushed his boots on the doormat, and stepped into the cooler house. His gaze dropped to the floor where Ellie sat, legs splayed, eyes wide as she stared up at him. Then she beamed and waved, and he couldn’t suppress his own grin.
“Please, have a seat,” Ava said, guiding him into the living room. “What would you like to drink, Deacon?” She set the bag of food on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.
“Water is fine,” he answered, shaking his head and trying not to grin.
She cocked her head. “What?”
“You always call me Deacon.”
“I told you I liked it.”
“I remember.” His voice dropped to a hush.
