50 Harbor Street - Debbie Macomber [81]
Anson’s attitude pleased her. “If he walks from school to work, how does he get home?”
Her father shook his head. “Seth didn’t say, but I suspect one of the other crew drops him off.”
“Not Tony,” she said, musing out loud.
“Probably not,” her father agreed.
Allison hoped someone was giving Anson a ride. It had to be two miles between The Lighthouse restaurant and the trailer court where his mother lived. She knew for a fact that his mother wouldn’t come and get him. Anson had said enough for Allison to know the woman possessed virtually no maternal instincts.
“Maybe you should tell her what the attorney said,” Rosie advised, sharing another of those looks with Allison’s father.
Zach nodded. “Anson’s turned every paycheck over to the city as reimbursement for the shed that was destroyed.”
“That’s wonderful.” Allison clasped her hands. She was so pleased, it was difficult to hold still. “As soon as it’s paid for, he can see me again, right?”
Her father grinned. “That was our agreement.”
The doorbell rang, and before anyone could move, Eddie tore out of his bedroom and raced to the front door. They could hear him talking as he stood with the door open for a minute or two. Then he closed it and came into the family room. He looked around and saw everyone watching him.
“Who was it?” Rosie asked.
“Allison’s boyfriend. He says he wants to talk to Dad.”
“Anson?” Allison was immediately on her feet. “You left him standing out there in the cold?”
“He said that’s where he wants to wait, so don’t get all bent out of shape.”
Zach set aside the newspaper and stood. He exchanged yet another glance with Rosie, arching his brows in obvious surprise. “I’ll be back in a moment.” He pointed his finger at Allison. “And no, I’m not letting him in the house. A deal is a deal.”
Allison felt the room close in on her as her father stepped outside. “Mom?” she cried, hardly knowing what she wanted. She found it torture to sit in the same classroom with Anson five days a week and not be allowed to speak. Now this. It killed her to know that the boy she loved was on the other side of the front door, talking to her father. She had no idea what their conversation could possibly be about, and that made it even worse.
“Everything will be fine,” her mother assured her as Allison sat down again.
“Dad’s not going to do anything, is he?” So far, her father had been cool. He’d been the only one willing to stand up with Anson in court, and he’d helped get him a job, too.
It seemed forever before her father came back in. The instant he did, Allison jumped up and hurried over to him. “What did Anson say?”
Her mother joined Allison and slid an arm around her shoulders.
“It was man to man,” Zach said.
“Dad!” she cried in frustration.
He smiled then, and she knew he was teasing her.
“Anson wanted to give you a Valentine card,” he explained.
Allison pressed her hand to her heart. This was so incredibly sweet and romantic she could hardly believe it.
“He felt he should talk to me first. He did promise not to have any contact with you and didn’t want to go back on his word.”
“I can have it, can’t I?” She’d die, simply die, if her father said no.
Her father hesitated. “I was impressed that he’d come and ask my permission.”
“He respects you, Dad.” She knew that just from the way Anson had said her father’s name after they’d gone to court. “You told him I could have the card, didn’t you? Oh please, it would mean so much.” She hated to plead, but this was quite possibly the most important moment of her life.
Her father pulled a thick envelope from inside his jacket and held it out.
“Oh, Daddy, thank you! Thank you so much.”
“He said I could read it.”
Allison’s gaze flew to her father’s. “He didn’t?”
“Zach,” her mother said. “Don’t tease.”
Her father grinned and handed Allison the envelope. She needed every ounce of restraint not to rip it open right then and there. Instead, she took it to her room. She sat on the end of her bed