Читать книгу The Dad Next Door - Stephanie Dees - Страница 3

A splash and a scream echoed off the main house.

He ran toward the pond as Claire surfaced, spluttering and laughing.

“Come on in.”

He gave her his best “you’ve got to be kidding me” look.

Laughing, she splashed him. “It’s just a little cold water.”

Joe took a deep breath and dived in, surfacing beside her.

“Are you worried about the meeting?” he asked when his breath had regulated.

“Yes.”

“Don’t give up. I don’t know if you’re that good with all kids, but if it wasn’t for you, Amelia and I would still be deadlocked in the silent treatment.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I needed the reminder of why it’s so important.”

“I have the feeling that you’re too stubborn to give up, anyway.”

“Oh, you do know how to sweet-talk me, Joe Sheehan.” She clambered out of the pond.

As he watched her, he realized he really liked her and he hadn’t felt that way about someone in a long time. The doors to his heart had been firmly closed. Seemed now there was just a crack in the door, enough to think…maybe.