“What do you mean?”
“Well, for starters, you took a chair to the face yesterday, wrestled with a she-devil, and if that gigantic hickey on your neck is any indication, you also got in the ring for a couple of rounds with a heavyweight.”
There was no good reason to act dumb, so he didn’t. “It was one round and probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, so feel free to gloat.”
“Too soon, huh?”
He tapped the end of his nose. “Bull’s-eye.”
“Ouch. Have you got a cleanup plan for this mess?”
He shrugged. “I’m currently considering my options, few as they may be.”
“Please tell me you came prepared with jewelry.”
“What?” Arnie still had the sunflower bracelet he brought back from London, but he hadn’t given thought to anything else.
“Dude.” His brother chortled. “That sexy babe gave birth to your kid. I suggest you put a ring on it and fast.”
“A ring? Oh, you mean an engagement ring?”
Carrying a gigantic stack of bakery boxes tied together with twine and a box of coffee, their dad asked, “Did I hear you say engagement ring?”
“Stan was just pointing out the obvious.” He couldn’t believe how thick he was. How the hell did he plan to hustle her in front of a preacher without begging with the appropriate bling?
Yep. He was that stupid.
Depositing the boxes and coffee on the table, his dad turned, and asked, “Do you have one? An engagement ring. If you don’t, you can have your mom’s.”
Arnie blinked and stared at his father’s face. Just like the picture of his mom as a baby, it came as a huge shock to learn his father had kept her ring for all these years.
“Mom’s ring?” He gulped. “Do you have it with you?”
“Well, no, but it’s nearby. It’s in my dad’s safe in Montecito.”
There wasn’t a second of hesitation or deliberation on his part. “Looks like we’re going on a road trip. I’d planned on making the trek anyway to introduce Granddad to Ari.”
The discussion abruptly ended when Summer dashed across the living room wearing a lavender sweater, black pants, and a pair of low-heeled ankle boots. He only saw her for a few seconds as she hurried into the bedroom, but what he did manage to see was cute as hell.
“Do you think she’ll marry me?” he asked in a worried tone. “I’m not sure I would in her position.”
“You haven’t brought much to the table except drama,” Stan reminded him.
“He’s right. You gotta do better, son.”
“Meaning?”
“It’s time to sweep your little lady off her feet with an outlandishly romantic display of your resources and a no-holds-barred look at your life.” His dad laughed. “The multiple-choice identities puts you in enough trouble as it is. Remember who you are and then show her.”
The simple statement staggered Arnie. Dr. Hadley said those same words and so had King. Two men he admired and respected and now the most important voice of all—his father’s. Wow.
“Don’t hide the real you. Don’t try to varnish the truth. You don’t have the luxury of courting this girl slowly. Rip the bandage off quickly.” His father’s face was transformed by a mocking grin. He continued in a comical drawl, “I believe you have a Connecticut estate, yes? Perfect for raising a family.”
“Holy shit,” Stan laughed and doubled over. “How fucking cool, right? And the timing? Wow!”
Arnie had spent a lot of time and energy as the anti-Wanamaker. Eschewing the name and privilege was his way of life. Everything changed once he had a family. Arianne was an heiress ten times over, and if she married him, Summer would be a Wanamaker wife with every imaginable luxury at her fingertips.
It suddenly made perfect sense why he’d never truly made a home for himself. Setting up housekeeping was nothing more than a lame attempt to get by. A home implied family and an eye on the future.
33
“My goodness, you really are a princess,” Summer giggled to Ari as she finished adjusting the adorable stretchy headband with its small cloth flower.
Bending to kiss her daughter’s cheeks, she smiled and explained what awaited them once they left the privacy of her bedroom.
“So here’s the deal, sweetie. Daddy has backup. A lot of backup. It seems you’ve got a grandfather and another uncle. They’re here and want to meet you.”
Ari cooed and smiled.
“I love you so much, Arianne, and I want the world for you.” She swallowed a lump of emotion in her throat, and for the first time, she addressed the elephant in the room.
“And your daddy loves you very much too. He came for us, just like I said he would.”
The baby grew serious and gazed intently into Summer’s eyes.
“Mommy and Daddy love each other very much too, but Mommy needs some time, okay?”
She wasn’t sure why she was explaining to a three-month-old, but it didn’t matter. Her daughter deserved the truth.
“Maybe you’ll understand when you’re older and fall in love. The heart knows what it wants.” She grimaced. “And sometimes what it wants makes a person forget reason.”
The baby smirked and blew some bubbles.
“Did you just diss your mom?”
Ari giggled. Picking her up, Summer cradled her in one arm, arranging the pink and white baby dress for maximum effect.
“No turning back,” she announced as her shoulders straightened and she put her hand on the doorknob.
“Here we go.”
They walked into the living room. Open bakery boxes and coffee cups littered the table under the window where the Wanamaker men gathered.
Arnie jumped to his feet first followed by Ned, who turned expectantly. His eyes went to the baby in her arms and never looked away.
“Sweetie,” she cooed to the baby. “Look who came to meet you.”
Arnie cleared his throat, and when she glanced at Stan, she found him taking pictures with his phone.
Ned straightened and adjusted his tie. The quirk was so adorable she fell for Arnie’s father hook, line, and sinker.
Her smile was genuine when she asked, “What’s it going to be, Ned? Pop Pop? Grandpa? Poppy?”
“Oh,” Ned said in a startled voice. “I don’t know. Arnie?”
“Pop Pop works for me. Old-fashioned and homey.”
Pop Pop Ned held out his arms. She gently placed the beautiful child in her grandfather’s loving embrace and stepped back to let them have their moment.
“Arianne Leigh Wanamaker, I’m your Pop Pop.” He kissed her little face, and a quiet sob left his throat. “You look exactly like your Mom Mom. Welcome to the family, little one.”
Feeling choked up, she looked at Arnie. He had tears in his eyes. Not sure how wise it was, she hesitated to go to him, but after sensing his need, she went to his side and reached for his hand. No matter what had actually gone down, she was sure he never meant to hurt her.
For the better part of an hour, Arnie made tea and waited on her hand and foot. Ned sat on the sofa, telling Ari stories about the grandmother she’d never meet and some pretty wild tales from Arnie’s childhood.
After Summer excused herself to feed the baby breakfast, Ned eventually joined her in the bedroom.
“Thank you, Summer,” he whispered as they stood side by side, watching the sleeping angel.
She didn’t know what to say.
As they turned to leave, he stopped her by the door.
“He’s not a superhero, you know. Even if he plays one for a living. Don’t hold it against him for being human. We all wish we were perfect.”
“I heard what he told the police, Ned. It’s okay. I have a fairly clear picture of his side. I also realize the bad guys were after him, too. This is a lot for me to take on. I’ve been alone and scared out of my mind for months. A part of me can’t understand why he didn’t swoop in the minute he knew.” She fixed him with an unapologetic scowl.
“Do you have any idea how terrifying all of this has been? You say he’s not a superhero, and I get what you mean. But Ned, neither am I, and to be honest, I don’t think even a pregnant Wonder Woman could have kept it together.”
He took her by surprise with a warm hug. “Young lady, you are a superstar. The way you put my ex-wife on the floor will be sung about in legend for centuries to come.”
She laughed at his flowery wording, and quipped, “Would this be the moment to point out how three grown men needed rescuing by a girl?”
“Good point.” He chuckled. “I’m thinking this gives you the upper hand with my son. Put the big lug in his place, but use your power wisely.” His theatrical delivery cracked her up.
“May I be honest?”
“Please,” he encouraged her.
“Your big lug of a son has some serious Olympic level hoops to jump through. If I have to swallow my pride and let all this go, then he has to perform a couple of Herculean feats. Ari agrees,” she tacked on at the end.
They walked into the living room. Only Arnie was visible. He pointed at the backyard. “Stan is managing the cleanup and repair guys. What time are Bud and Lynda expected home?”
“Noon-ish,” she told him. “I hope they don’t freak out when they see the police tape.”
“Detective Shelton will be by later to wrap things up. The tape can come down then.”
“What does wrap things up mean?” She’d had enough and wanted to forget the whole sordid affair.
“I don’t have all the details, but apparently, Giselle’s crazy bitch performance almost got her a 5150 hold.”
“A psych evaluation?” Summer frowned.
“It’s a convenient first stop to a revolving legal door. Shelton wasn’t having it and booked her into the women’s detention facility for attempted murder, kidnapping, and child trafficking. King is working the police angle. He’ll be in touch when there’s more.”
Ned melted into the background in what came off as an obvious ploy to give her and Arnie a chance to talk.
They awkwardly shuffled their feet and avoided looking at one another. If he expected her to make the first move, they’d be standing there forever.
A sharp, rhythmic tapping on the apartment door drew his attention. She saw his eyes widen before he ran to the door.
“Special delivery for Miss Summer Warren.”
She stood on her tiptoes to see around Arnie’s large body and found nothing but flowers. More pink and white flowers. Crying was a real possibility. She’d received a couple of nice arrangements after Ari was born, but this was over the top.
A stylishly dressed woman resembling Meryl Streep caught between her Julia Child and Miranda Priestly roles marched in with a hotel lobby-sized floral arrangement.
With her sudden appearance, the vibe in the room changed. Unsure what to make of Arnie’s flabbergasted expression, Summer stayed quiet and watched, hoping for clues.
“I see Ned beat me to the punch.” The woman chortled in a husky voice and gave the other flower arrangement a pointed look. Pushing them aside, she plopped her floral contribution onto the island counter and turned to subject Summer to an audacious inspection.
“And I take it, this is the famous Summer?”
Famous? Hardly. She made a face and returned the woman’s ocular once-over. “I’m sorry, but who are you?”
Arnie reacted like a starting gun went off in his face. He jumped between them and mumbled so adorably she bit her lip to keep from smiling. His nervousness made her day.
“Umm,” he stammered, “uh, Summer? This is Dottie?”
Was he asking a question or making a statement?
Wait. She blinked a couple of times. Did he say Dottie? She gasped as the situation before her came into focus.
“Dorothea Anders, Miss Warren. Call sign, Dottie Quick,” she drawled with quite the smirk on her perfectly made-up face. “It’s the pleasure of a lifetime to meet you, and I must say you are nothing like I expected.”
Summer grinned. “And you, Dottie, are everything I envisioned. He talks about you a lot.”
Dottie’s hand shot out, and she walloped Arnie in the chest. “Seriously? You’re so conversationally challenged you have to talk about me?”
His expression was priceless. She and Dottie looked at each other and smirked with amusement at his expense. They shared a laugh, and when she offered a handshake, Arnie’s surrogate mom pulled her into a fierce hug.
“Yes, yes.” Dottie chuckled. “You’re going to do nicely. Now where’s the Wanamaker heiress? Bring me the baby!” She smacked her hands once and rubbed them together. “Have no fear, Summer. I’m a card-carrying granny with two grandbabies back in New York.”
“I’m afraid she’s napping at the moment, but please come in. There’s an embarrassing selection of bakery goods on the table and a push-button box of coffee. Ned and Stan are somewhere.”
Whipping a large, luscious-looking Michael Kors handbag out of thin air, Dottie dropped it on an island stool and pulled out an iPad.
“I’m always prepared for anything,” the older woman quipped. She waved off, going to find Ned and Stan. “Those two don’t need my help getting into trouble, and with the baby napping, we have the perfect opportunity to do some business.”
“Business?” Arnie muttered. “What’s going on?”
She ignored him. Or she gave the impression he was invisible. Take your pick—either one was funny as hell.
Marching into the living room, Dottie headed for the table strewn with boxes, nosed through everything, and settled for a chocolate bear claw. She took a seat, then a bite, and wiped her fingers before holding the iPad like a stenographer’s notebook.
“Let’s get started, shall we?”
Summer balked and looked at Arnie. He shrugged. It didn’t help to know he had no idea what the heck was going on either.
When Dottie kicked a chair with her foot, they each flinched with surprise.
“Have a seat.”
Feeling like she’d been summoned to the principal’s office, Summer slowly sank onto the chair, pressed her knees together, and held onto the seat.
“From the standpoint of right now and your daily requirements, what equipment do you need?”
“Equipment?” She looked up at Arnie. He was right by her side but didn’t seem to know what Dottie meant, either.
“For the baby. I presume a crib and a changing table, yes?”
She nodded jerkily. “Uh-huh.”
“What about this?” Dottie asked, pointing at Ari’s swing seat. “And the playpen.”
“Uh, well, yes. I mean, she uses all this stuff. Every day.”
“Dorothea,” Arnie grated impatiently. “What’s this all about?”
She sighed heavily and pursed her lips. Tapping on the electronic tablet, she placed it on the table for them to see.
At the same time, Ned and Stan came through the backyard door, in the middle of an animated conversation. They were ranking the NHL teams according to concession stand foods.
“Bruins by a mile. The Boston Garden has Lucky’s Chicken. Winning!” Stan declared.
“You can’t discount the pulled pork nachos at the Pittsburgh Penguins arena. Oh, sorry, guys. Are we interrupting?” Ned Wanamaker noticed Dottie and threw his hands up. “Really, woman?”
Dottie snickered. She gave excellent sarcasm. “A suit, Ned? Overkill, don’t you think?”
Summer wondered if the two were about to start bickering when Dottie stood, and the two went in for a laughing hug. She heard part of what they said. Dottie called Giselle a fucking bitch, and Ned suggested a dirt nap was too good for his ex-wife especially after she pulled the trigger on the son they shared.
Stan was laughing quietly. Her eyes swung to him as he gleefully did something on his phone.
“What are you cackling about?” Ned asked.
Stan held up his phone and showed them all a snapshot of Dottie hugging the stuffing out of Ned. “Thought I’
d send this to your doctor friend. Let her know the kind of trouble you’re up to on the mainland.”
Dottie laughed loudest. Arnie looked equal parts exasperated and amused. Ned puffed up, and drawled, “I had my shot with the bodacious Dorothea Anders about ten years ago. She shot me down right quick.”
“Now you know why I go by the name Quick.”
Feeling like a spectator at a secret society meeting, Summer avidly watched everyone interact.
“Are you here to start trouble?” Ned asked as Dottie took her seat again.
“Official business,” she told him with a saucy wink. She tapped a perfectly manicured fingernail on the edge of the iPad. “I was just about to show Summer where she and the baby will be staying.”
“What?” She jolted at this announcement and squawked. “I’m not staying anywhere but here.”
Arnie put a hand on her shoulder, and she nearly gnawed it to a nub but went with a determined brush-off to make her displeasure known. His frown was downright pouty, but she didn’t have room for his feelings at the moment.
Dottie attempted a smile, but Summer took it as a look of pity. Right then and there, she was over being the last one to know what was going on when it came to her own damn life. She wasn’t used to being swept up in anyone else’s worldview.
An epic explosion was locked, loaded, and ready to fire when a sudden counter maneuver stole her moment.
“Gentlemen? G-T-F-O,” Dottie snarled. “As in, get the fuck out. Summer and I need a moment without the alpha stench wafting off you three.”
Summer never saw three grown men move so fast. In a heartbeat, the small room emptied, and it was just her staring down the indomitable Dottie Quick.
“Summer,” Dottie began in a calm, controlled voice. “Nothing happens without your say-so.” She reached out and patted her knee. “Take a breath and listen, okay?”
Although her skepticism remained, she nodded and chewed her bottom lip.
“Welcome to Arnie’s world, where five adults crammed into a little guesthouse is barely the tip of the iceberg. You can’t stay here. It’s not big enough, there’s no security, and let’s face it, this place isn’t your forever home.”
Finding Summer (Nightwind Book 3) Page 61