She clapped. “I can’t wait! Can we do one now, daddy?”
“Why don’t we start the rock candy. That one will actually have to sit a couple of days before it’s done.”
“Yes. I want to make rock candy.”
Twenty minutes later, we had our sugar solution in a jar with a skewer held by a clothespin in it. “Now we wait.”
Maya peered over the counter watching the sugar liquid. I squatted down next to her to watch it too. She put her arm around my shoulder.
“This is so fun daddy. I love science.”
“Me too, sweetie.”
Next, we made pizza dough and were pressing it onto the pizza pan when there was a knock at the door.
“Keep at it until the dough reaches the sides,” I said as I wiped my hands on a towel to go answer the door.
“’K.” Maya looked at me and grinned, her cheeks white with flour. The image made my heart spin. I had the twin feelings of joy at being her father, and anguish at having missed so much of her life.
A second knock pulled me from my reverie. I went to the door and answered.
“August.” I put my foot behind the door so he wouldn’t be able to push his way in.
“We need to talk.”
“Not now we don’t. Make an appointment.” I started to close the door.
His hand slapped out. “How much?”
I frowned. “How much what?”
“How much money will it take to make you go away?”
I was flabbergasted. I looked over toward Maya to make sure she wasn’t hearing what was going on.
I stepped closer to August and lowered my voice, partly so she wouldn’t hear and partly because I wanted to sound deadly.
“There isn’t enough money in the world to keep me away. And if you don’t stop threatening me, I will sue you for defamation and harassment. And when I do, I’ll have a press conference to tell all of Bismarck what an evil man you are.”
He smirked, as if he didn’t have to worry, but I saw the flash of concern in his eyes. “No one will believe you.”
“We’ll find out, won’t we? You might have convinced me that I wasn’t good enough for April before, but I know who I am and what I’m capable of now. I’m all grown up now, August, and I will do anything,” I leaned closer so I could look squarely into his eyes. “Anything, to protect my family. Don’t forget it.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing?”
“Daddy, the pizza dough is ready,” Maya called from the kitchen.
August’s eyes widened. “Maya?”
“That’s right. My daughter is here. Now you can leave so I can try to make up for the seven years you stole from us.”
“Uncle Auggie?”
Crap. Maya came to the door.
To his credit, August smiled. “Hey. I’ve missed you.”