For the next two hours, until closing time, the girl kept herself occupied while Christi took care of business. It wasn’t an ideal setup—but it was only for two days, assuming Beth was able to return for half days next week, as planned.

Once the last customer of the day departed with her purchases, Hannah wandered over. “Should I leave my bag here until tomorrow?”

“Yes. Good idea.” Christi locked the display case and pocketed the key. “Are you getting hungry?”

The girl shrugged.

Not unexpected, after Jack’s warning last night that getting Hannah to eat more than a few mouthfuls was a challenge. And she wasn’t the world’s best—or most experienced—cook. Thank heavens Tasha had taught her a few tricks and shared several easy recipes.

Another reason she was in her friend’s debt.

“What have you been having for dinner?” Christi guided Hannah toward the front door.

“He gets takeout at a restaurant in town.”

He—not “my dad.”

Ouch.

Jack was going to have an uphill battle winning this child’s heart.

He may have told Hannah he’d been unaware of her existence—as he’d relayed last night during the contract signing—but it would be hard for a child of ten to grasp the nuances of why he’d been an absentee father.

“I don’t get much takeout.” Thanks to her shaky finances. “Do you like spaghetti? I thought we’d have that tonight—and chocolate chip cookies.” Two foolproof recipes, courtesy of Tasha.

Hannah’s eyes lit up as they exited and Christi locked the shop door. “I like both of those. My mom used to make them.”

Well, shoot. Tasha’s recipes were excellent, but they’d never be able to compete with the memory of a favorite dish made by a mother.

Somehow Christi held on to her smile as they continued toward her car. “Mine will probably be different than hers—but I hope you like them anyway.” Best to tamp down any unrealistic expectations before they could take root.

“I bet I’ll like them better than what he gets.”

More animosity.

Hannah’s discontent wasn’t about the quality of the food, though. Jack had to be frequenting the Myrtle. It was the only game in town for a meal, other than Charley’s stand. And it was hard to fault their cooking, based on the two tasty meals she’d enjoyed there.

The girl’s downer attitude had more to do with her father—and the whole new situation she’d found herself in.

In light of that, tonight’s pasta and cookies might pass muster after all. Judging by her behavior to date, Hannah was more receptive to a relationship with her than to one with Jack.

She opened the front passenger door, waited while Hannah buckled her seat belt, and circled around to the driver side—all the while mulling over Jack’s situation.