Chapter 7
(Anastasia)
Thinking that Ross had surely returned to Massachusetts, my surprise was great when, a week after the event at W&P, I answered a knock at my front door to find Ross standing there.
With Leslie on my hip, I gawked at him. His sexy five-o’clock shadow had grown grizzled and made him seem haggard. His eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles under them. I had dark circles of my own from not sleeping well the last week. His unexpected appearance at the event had reawakened my feelings for him. Feelings that I had just gotten somewhat under control in the last few months.
We stared at each other for several seconds, both speechless.
Leslie put her hands on my face and turned me toward her. “Who that, Mommy?” She pointed one, tiny finger at her father.
Tears sprang to my eyes. “His name is Ross, honey.” I had never thought the day would come when all three of us were in the same room together. Father, mother, daughter. And I was the only one who knew. I could keep the secret from both of them, or I could share it. I was torn over what to do.
Ross stuck out his hand and smiled, it was Leslie’s smile. “Hello, little lady. I’m Ross. What’s your name?”
Would he recognize his eyes and his smile mirrored back at him from his daughter’s face?
“Leslie. Leslie LeighAnn Penland.” She shook his hand, giggling.
“It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Leslie LeighAnn Penland.” He chuckled and looked back to me.
“I’m sorry, Ross, but I’m really very—”
“Very busy. I can see that you are, Anastasia. I just want to talk for a few minutes and then I’ll leave you two lovely ladies to the rest of your day.” He winked at Leslie and she giggled again. He smiled broadly.
Casting about in my mind for excuses, I found none. It was either let him in and get it over with, or possibly have to deal with him again at a later date, which I surmised would only be worse for all of us.
“Fine. But only for a few minutes. It’s nearly time for an afternoon nap, isn’t it, Leslie?” I nuzzled her cheek.
“No!” She laughed and covered her cheek.
“Oh, but, yes, it is.” I let her down to run and play in the den, where most of her favorite toys were kept and then motioned Ross inside. “Let’s sit in the dining room. Would you like something to drink?”
“Water would be fantastic. I feel like I’ve tried to swallow the Gobi Desert all of a sudden.” He chuckled shortly.
He was nervous. I was glad. It helped cover my own nervousness. I got us both bottled waters and showed him to the dining room. “What’s on your mind, Ross?”
Eyeing the room and what he could see of the property, he said, “You’ve done well for yourself. Or, your husband and you have done well, I should say.” He nodded toward the den, indicating Leslie.
“There’s no husband. And, thank you. I’ve tried.” How long would it take him to inquire about Leslie’s age? How long before something she said or did, made him think of himself? With him sitting across from me, I wasn’t so sure that I ever wanted to tell him the truth, but I was also unsure what explanation I would give Leslie when she was older. She would have questions about her father, naturally, but what answers could I possibly give her? That he was an unknown? That he was a fling? That he was an office hook-up every now and then? That her mommy was wild back in the day and got pregnant by accident? No. I would have to do better than that.
“No husband?” His brow wrinkled as he looked back to the den where Leslie was riding a stick-horse back and forth by the doorway.
I shook my head. “Just me.”
A bark of laughter escaped him, and he quickly covered it with a fake cough.
“What? Why do you think that’s funny?” Instantly on the defensive, I sat forward, ready to ask him to leave.
Waving his hands in mock surrender, he replied, “I don’t. I was just wondering if it was immaculate conception, since there’s no husband.” He grinned roguishly.
My heart fluttered at that grin. Oh, how far that very same grin had gotten him when I was with him. “No. Being a smartass will get you thrown out quick.” His humor brought a smile, an unwanted one at that, to my face and I took another drink of my water to hide it.
He sobered and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. It just struck me as funny.”
Nodding, I set down my water. “So, what is it exactly that brings you unannounced to my door?”
“I wanted to let you know that I divorced Sheila not even a month after you…left…so suddenly.” He seemed to bite back on the word, as if he had more to add to it but didn’t.