Page 54 of A Taste of Paradise

‘Oooh, I love babies! Is it a boy or a girl?’

‘A boy.’

‘What’s his name?’ Holly prattled as she moved the magazines back and forth on the coffee table in front of them.

‘His name is Nate, and he’s my godson.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Godson? Well, that means as his godmother, I get to spoil him rotten and if anything should happen to my friend it also means I’d help take care of him.’

Holly seemed to ponder the new information. ‘Then I guess I don’t have a godmother,’ she deduced sadly.

‘Why would you say that?’

‘Because no one helps my daddy take care of me, only Nana.’

Naomi paused. ‘No one?’

‘Nope. No one.’ The little girl continued to poke at the magazines on the table until her father reappeared a moment later.

‘So sorry to keep you,’ Will announced, looking a little harried upon his return.

‘It was no trouble at all. Like I was telling Holly, I enjoy talking to her,’ she replied smiling.

‘I enjoy talking to Naomi too, Daddy. Would you like to come with us?’ she asked, studying Naomi as she hopped up from her seat and moved to stand at her father’s side, taking his hand in hers.

‘Honey, Naomi has her own plans for the day, I’m sure. That’s why she’s here in the lobby,’ he explained, giving Naomi an apologetic look.

‘Thank you very much for the invite, but remember I told you I was going shopping for my godson?’

‘Ooh yes. Because you have to help his mummy take care of him,’ Holly echoed Naomi’s earlier explanation.

‘Exactly. Otherwise I would love to come along on whatever adventure you’re going on today. Maybe next time?’

‘OK,’ Holly sang. ‘We’re going to the botanical gardens to see all the flowers and pretty plants. Come on, Daddy, let’s go,’ she urged, tugging on Will’s arm.

He shrugged apologetically. ‘Enjoy your day, Naomi, and thanks again.’

‘No problem. You too.’

She was still smiling as she watched the pair saunter off through the lobby entrance doors and climb into a waiting taxi.

It must be so difficult for him to raise a little girl on his own. Yet he makes it look so easy, the way he is with her, she thought. You could feel how much he loved her just by looking at him.

‘What are you smiling at?’ Sam’s curious voice interrupted and Naomi turned to greet her friend.

‘Nothing,’ she lied. ‘Ready to go?’

‘Nothing, eh?’ Sam turned in the direction of the taxi that was driving off. ‘Wasn’t that the hot guy from the plantation the other day?’

‘Yes. So?’ Naomi replied as she started walking towards the entrance, her friend following behind her.

‘Oh, nothing. He’s married right?’

‘Was. He’s a widower.’

‘A widower? How sad,’ Sam replied, looking thoughtful.