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"I kind of figured."
Daniel took her for ice cream, and they watched an Ernest movie together. They both liked childish humor, and they'd seen every Ernest movie ever made more than once. Goofy Ernest movies were the only thing that could make them laugh in that first year after Candace's death.
Tina flipped through the book he gave her on the couch, and he felt like it was at least something.
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I really don't need a mother; we're doing fine on our own."
"I'm trying hard, but I can't be a mom for you, kiddo."
"This book is really great! It's answering all my questions. You did really good," she smiled.
"Thanks, honey. I needed to hear that."
That was his little girl, right there, always trying to spare his feelings and make him feel better. Daniel was proud of the girl she had grown into and knew that Candace would be too.
"Are you ever lonely, Dad?"
"Lonely? No, I have you," he chuckled.
She looked at him skeptically, like she didn't believe a word of it, and he remembered getting the same look from Candace sometimes.
"I'm fine, honey. I have everything I need right here."
"Uh huh."
Sometimes he wished she was one of those kids who didn't think so deeply about everything; she could always see right through him.
CHAPTER3
The week moved too fast, and Daniel tried to think why Tina should stay home, but nothing solid came to mind. He didn't like when she was gone for the night; Ashley and Harry's house was OK, but this was camping. She often stayed at her aunt and uncle's place, but the thought of his little girl in the woods was terrifying for Daniel. He was admittedly overprotective.
"I'm so excited!" she squealed.
Tina was sitting on her suitcase and trying to zip it up, but it was overpacked.
"You taking the kitchen sink?" Daniel laughed.
"I need to put some stuff away . . . it won't close," she sighed.
"Be quick, honey, we got to hit the road soon."
He was dropping her off early at school, and the school bus would take his baby over an hour out of town until Sunday evening; he was sure he wouldn't sleep till she was back home.
"You should go out this weekend," she suggested as she got out to grab her bag from the truck bed.
Daniel laughed and asked her where he was supposed to go.
"I don't know, grown ups go to the bar and stuff, right?"
"What do I need at a bar?" he chuckled.
"I think you could meet somebody. I meant it when I said I don't need a mom . . . but maybe you need someone."
He was about to argue with her that he was fine again, but Daniel knew her BS detector would go off anyway. He was getting a little lonely, if he was being completely honest.
