Chapter 4
“Oh, Daddy, look at this one. Look how beautiful it is,” Ellie exclaimed as she caressed the blonde wig with care. The soft strands fell through her fingers with ease, making her jump up and down. “This is the one. This is it, Daddy.”
“Are you sure, pumpkin? There’s tons of wigs to choose from,” Duncan said, tracing a finger through the hair as well.
It was soft, silky even. Instantly reminding him of the golden-haired beauty he met three weeks ago. He still couldn’t get her out of his mind. Every time he stepped into the elevator, he pictured her leaning close to him, asking him in a delicate voice if he could keep a secret. Boy, he wished he hadn’t missed the opportunity with her.
“I’m sure, Dad. This is the one. And it’s long. Look how long it is. It’ll reach to my shoulders, if not longer. I want long hair. Just like that woman you met.”
“And you know what? This is the color of her hair when I met her. If you like it, grab it. That’s the one we’ll get.”
Duncan paid for the wig and let Ellie beautify herself in the new wig before they left. He couldn’t believe his eyes as they walked down the sidewalk in the bright sunlight. The way her eyes lit up with happiness and the little extra pep in her step. Pure bliss on his daughter’s face. She looked gorgeous. The blonde hair looked absolutely perfect on her oval face, enhancing her features with a glow. Before the chemotherapy had started, she had a darker brown color of hair. But Duncan had to admit, this light blonde hair fit her features much better. Especially when the happiness shined from her eyes.
“What do you think about some ice cream?” he asked her, as he swung her little hand as they continued walking down the streets of New York.
“Double chocolate chip?” she asked excitedly.
“Of course. With two scoops.”
She practically raced down the sidewalk after he said that. He followed her just as quickly, loving that his joyous little girl was back. The last few weeks had been difficult. The more her hair fell out, the harder it became. He knew he had to do something to lift her spirits. And suddenly the idea of a wig came to mind. He had no idea how Ellie would feel wearing something like that, but she had warmed to the idea immediately. And he knew watching her skip down the street, he made the right choice.
She stopped, running back to him. “Maybe three scoops. It’s such a warm, wonderful day, Dad. What do you think?”
“I think you’re conning me. And very well. But…” He tapped his finger on his chin, making it look like he was trying to decide when he knew very well he would let her have three scoops. She deserved it today.
“I vote for three scoops.”
Duncan turned to the woman standing in front of the door to a floral shop. His mind went blank as he took all of her in. It couldn’t be.
“Delilah?”
She raised a hand to her heart as her face morphed into surprise. “Oh, my. I didn’t realize who you were. Duncan, right?”
“Yeah. You remembered.”
“Well, I have to say, I’m a little more surprised you remembered me,” she said softly.
“Why? You’re very pretty. Daddy would never forget a pretty face. Would you, Daddy?”
Duncan smiled at Ellie, then looked at Delilah, who was blushing fiercely. “Definitely not. I would never forget a pretty face. I’m surprised to see you cut your hair.”
He watched as she brushed a hand through her hair. It fell through easily enough until it hit her chin. She had cut it very short. Too short. He had loved her long hair. Always imagining how it would feel to run his hands through the silky softness.
“I needed a change. It was time.”
He sensed there was more hidden within her story, but decided not to press. One thing he did know, he wasn’t losing this opportunity. “Would you care to join us for ice cream? If you’re not busy, that is.”
“I could probably spare a few minutes.” She glanced behind her to the floral shop. “I have a small break coming up. But only if we get three scoops.”
Ellie beamed with excitement at that statement. “Yeah, Dad, three scoops.”
“I know when I’ve been beaten. Three scoops it is.” He held out a hand for her to join them.
“Give me a moment.”
He watched as she ran inside the floral shop, spoke to a woman behind the counter, and walked back outside with a purse strapped to her shoulder.
He guided her to start walking by placing a warm hand on her back. He let it linger for a moment, enjoying the way his arms felt around her. Because he didn’t want to scare her away again, he dropped his hand. Ellie continued to walk ahead of them with excitement.
“So when did you cut your hair?” He was dying to know the real reason behind her transformation. She was still as beautiful as the first time he met her, but he missed the long hair.
“A few weeks ago. I still can’t get used to it. I run my hands through my hair and realize it doesn’t go very far.”
“You look beautiful. With or without the long hair. Why’d you cut it? You said you loved long hair.” He leaned closer, the whispering touch of his words like a soft kiss. “You said it had magical qualities.”
She looked at him as he moved away slightly. “The truth. My grandmother died and I inherited everything that she owned. My other family members weren’t too happy. I kept running into them, and I knew one reason I was so recognizable was because of my hair. They’d saunter up to me, get in their little digs before they walked away just as angrily as the day the lawyer read the will. I decided to cut it.”
“That’s not the only reason you’re recognizable.” He smiled tenderly at her confused expression. “There’s something enchanting about you. I saw it right away. I’m glad that I ran into you again. I’m sorry to hear your family hasn’t been nice.”
“It’s fine. I was never really close to them like I was with my parents and grandmother.”
“Your parents aren’t around anymore either?”
He saw her bite her lip as if she was trying to hold back tears. Feeling like a jerk for saying anything, he almost started to apologize when she said, “No, they died ten years ago in a plane crash. Another reason I hate heights.”
“You’re afraid of heights?” he asked surprised.
“Yeah. Didn’t you see the shaking while we were in the elevator? I can’t even stand tall buildings like that. I know it’s silly, but it’s just this irrational fear that comes over me.”
“I saw no shivering of any kind.” His eyes said what he didn’t say out loud. He had only seen her beauty and charisma. “We all have fears.”
“I guess we do. I miss my hair. But I feel good inside. I donated my hair. Now, someone else will be able to enjoy what I enjoyed for a long time. That makes me feel good.”
He stared at her with awe and admiration. His eyes then trailed to his daughter, who was happily skipping along, her long blonde hair swaying in the breeze.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said your hair had magical abilities.”
“Don’t be silly. I was only teasing with you.”
He watched as his daughter raced inside the ice cream shop and took a place in line. Stopping just short of opening the door, he boldly grabbed her hand and bestowed a kiss upon it.
“My daughter has cancer. They say she’s fighting it off. She was really feeling down-and-out from losing her hair. We just bought her a wig. Beautiful blonde hair that she adores. And it’s long, just like she wanted. I would say that makes your hair very magical indeed.”
She glanced through the door at Ellie before looking back at him with tears in her eyes. “You make it sound like it’s my hair she has.”
“I’m going to believe it is because you said it was magical. I’ve never seen my daughter happier. It’s been so long. Don’t ruin my illusion.”
She laughed when he gave her a silly expression with a smile to back it up. He adored her laugh. He leaned in closer when she started to lean towards him with
a mischievous smile.
“Well, remember what I said in the elevator. It’s a secret. You can’t tell anyone.”
He kissed her hand again, his smile never wavering. “Your secret is safe with me.”