Free A Dad for Billie by Susan Mallery

she’d recognized the feelings for what they were. Love had quickly followed.
    And she’d thrown it all away.
    Jane rose from the bed and walked to the doorway of the guest room. The thick carpet muffled her footsteps. It seemed another lifetime ago that she’d been engaged to Adam. They were both so different now. Coming home had been—stupid.
    “I just want you to know that I
hate
these,” Billie said, joining her in the hall. She flexed one foot and glared at her sandals. “When I’m grown up, I’m never going to wear a dress again.”
    The shaft of pain caught her unaware and ripped through her heart. Billie was, if nothing else, her father’s daughter. Adam had rebelled at dressing up. He’d been active in sports. He’d been—
    She drew in a breath. He’d been the one she’d left standing at the altar. Oh, why on earth had she thought returning to Orchard would be a good idea? And if that wasn’t bad enough, why had she insisted on pushing him to reveal his feelings about her walking out on him? It accomplished nothing except to bring those awful memories to the surface. If being in the same room with him before had been difficult, now it would be impossible. She’d have to think of an excuse to leave or move or—
    “Jane! Billie! It’s time to go. What are you two doing up there?” Charlene’s voice sailed up the stairs.
    “We’re coming,” Billie called down. “You ready, Mom?”
    “Sure,” she said, trying not to clench her teeth. If she was uncomfortable now, it was her own fault. Bearding the lion inhis own den had been foolish. Maybe Adam would chicken out. Maybe he’d stay home from church. Maybe—
    Maybe it was her fate to be punished for the rest of her days. She took Billie’s hand and together they descended the stairs. Waiting at the foot stood Charlene in one of her bright voluminous dresses, and Adam. His dark suit emphasized the lean strength of his body. Damp dark brown hair gleamed. The slight waves had been tamed with water and a brush, but soon one or two locks would tumble over his forehead.
    She felt heat climb her cheeks and prayed he wouldn’t notice. He didn’t. He wasn’t looking at her, but at some spot over her head and to the left.
    “Are you ready?” he asked quietly. Nothing in his voice hinted at the conversation they’d had not two hours before. Only the slightly clenched fists and the stern set of his mouth showed that emotions lurked below the calm facade.
    “My tummy hurts,” Billie said.
    Jane glanced down at her and raised one eyebrow.
    The little girl rubbed the top of her right foot against the calf of her left leg. “Okay. It doesn’t.”
    “Billie isn’t too fond of church,” she explained to Charlene, careful to avoid looking at Adam again.
    “I don’t mind it too much, but they make you sit still so long.” Billie drew in a deep breath and let it go in a sigh. “I like God and everything. The songs are okay. But there’s always some old lady telling me to sit still.”
    “Charm school,” Charlene said, taking Billie’s other hand, and ushering her toward the front door.
    “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Jane said. “She’s awfully young.”
    “This is Orchard, dear. We strive to turn girls into ladies, at any age.”
    “What’s charm school?” Billie asked suspiciously.
    “You don’t want to know,” her mother told her, keeping step with them. Adam brought up the rear.
    As they walked outside, toward the dark sedan parked in front, she tried not to think about him. It was only for one more night.Her furniture would be arriving sometime tomorrow. If she worked at it, she’d never have to see him again.
    Yeah, right, she thought as he held the rear door of the car open. What about her plans for an eventual father-daughter reunion? She still owed them both. Before Jane could make her move, Billie had ducked inside the car, with Charlene quickly on her heels.
    “You sit in front,” the older woman told