Family by Design

by Callie Endicott

  “Not at all,” Gemma declared hastily. “You’re the agent I’d want, but doing recordings for the blind is my top priority and they aren’t for profit.”

  “I’m fine with that. The agreement has a clause about work for nonprofit purposes.” Rachel printed the basic voice artist representation agreement and gave it to her. “See if you’re comfortable with this and let me know.”

  Gemma gave her a hug. “Thanks. Matt and I have a date tonight and I’ll talk it over with him.” If possible her face glowed brighter.

  When she was gone, Rachel shut her computer off and drove home. She’d thought about spending both Friday and Saturday night with her grandmother, but hadn’t been sure about leaving Binx alone for that long. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d called him a cuddle bug. These days she couldn’t sit down without him bounding onto her lap.

  Tonight was the same. The minute he saw her, he leaped from the cat tree to the couch and into her arms, purring madly.

  “Such a good, big boy. So pretty,” she sweet-talked him. “I’m going to be away tomorrow night. I hope you won’t mind. It’s only for—”

  The abrupt ring of the doorbell made him jump down and race out of the room. Someday she hoped he’d be comfortable with strangers, but for now he was still skittish.

  Rachel looked through the peephole and was astonished to see Simon.

  “Hi, is something up?” she asked, opening the door.

  “I called earlier and left a message. You didn’t get it?”

  “Oh, sorry. Binx demands my attention when I first come home. It’s become a ritual. I can’t even change out of my work clothes until he gets his share of loving.”

  “I see.” Simon appeared restless. “Livvie is at a birthday slumber party. They’re all the rage at the school she’s attending. Do you mind if I come in?”

  Embarrassed, Rachel stepped backward. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Have you heard from Gemma?”

  “Just a text that she’ll be back full-time a week from Monday, as scheduled.”

  “You must be missing her help.”

  “Actually, I’m enjoying the extra time with Livvie. Taking her to school and picking her up also means I’ve met more of the parents. And the teachers immediately recognize me now, instead of looking suspicious until I introduce myself and Livvie throws her arms around me.”

  Rachel laughed. “Just be glad they’re careful. What about your work?”

  “I’m doing half of it at home. It’ll be nice when Gemma gets back, but it’s reassuring to know I can manage without her. Of course, I can’t make the Mickey Mouse pancakes that Livvie loves so much, but you can’t have everything. I might have been able to do something with a mix, but Gemma does them from scratch.”

  “If she didn’t, I wouldn’t have had the ingredients to bake cookies with Livvie,” Rachel said, trying not to feel depressed. It was good for Simon to know he could manage without Gemma, because chances were, he’d be losing a nanny in the next few months. She’d recognized the look in Gemma’s eyes, the excitement of being in love.

  “I should just buy a baking mix and give pancakes a shot,” Simon said. “I’ve also been exploring the deli cases and ready-to-eat meals at different markets instead of ordering out so much. Some of the stuff isn’t bad.”

  Rachel sat down and motioned for him to do the same, wondering why he’d come in the first place. “What was the message you left earlier?” she prompted.

  “That Livvie was gone overnight and would you have dinner with me. I know you’re leaving town tomorrow.”

  “I’m not going to the moon. Kilterton is just a half hour away if you don’t run into traffic. But Livvie isn’t the only one having a sleepover. My grandmother misses having us at her house the way we did as children, so I suggested to my brothers and sister that we all stay there on Saturday. She’s ecstatic.”

  “Sounds special.”

  Rachel was looking forward to it. She’d offered to pick up ingredients for s’mores and other treats, but Grandma had said she’d already gone shopping and was making her deluxe lasagna for dinner.

  “I was going to make a meal here,” Rachel said finally. “Something simple. Since you’re at loose ends again, you’re welcome to join me.”

  “I’m not at loose ends, exactly, but I’d enjoy that.”

  She hurried into the kitchen and put chicken breasts into the oven, glazed with a quick Dijon mustard and honey sauce, then made a salad, minus the spring greens he didn’t like.

  “I want you to look at something,” Simon said when they were waiting for the chicken to bake.

  He’d settled at the breakfast bar and spread a number of papers across the surface. Rachel frowned when she saw they were real estate flyers.

  “Are you looking for a house?” she asked. “You just moved into the Carthage a few months ago.”

  “So did you. Take a look.”

  They were for homes in rural settings, some newer construction, some older. They all had long, wide porches and big yards. And they all had Kilterton addresses.

  Rachel’s nerves twisted.

  “I see,” she said finally. “Getting me to move would ensure you don’t have to be uncomfortable about us being in the same building. After all, I know way too much about you now. How awkward to encounter one another in the garage or at the Java Train Stop.”

  * * *

  SIMON GROANED.

  He’d thought he was being clever showing Rachel the flyers, but she’d taken it the wrong way.

  “That isn’t what I meant.”

  “Of course it isn’t. This is just your well-meaning attempt to push me into getting the house I would have bought if my leg hadn’t got hurt.”

  Rachel stalked to the stove and checked the contents of the oven.

  With a sigh, Simon got up, caught her shoulders and looked intently into her eyes. “Listen to me very carefully, Rachel Clarion. I’m crazy about you. Totally, insanely crazy. I want us to choose a new house together.”

  “What? But...Olivia was the love of your life.”

  They were his own words, coming back to haunt him. “As you pointed out to me, not so long ago, I’m a different man now. I’ll always cherish Liv’s memory, but I’ve never experienced what I feel with you. That doesn’t diminish what I felt for her, just that I’ve learned and grown and changed. If she could talk to me, she’d tell me to get on with things. To stop wallowing in my memories and make new ones.”

  “How can you be so sure of that?”

  “Because Liv attacked life and expected me to do the same. I used to wonder why we didn’t talk about what would happen when she was gone. Now I’ve realized she didn’t believe it was necessary. If anything, she’d be disappointed that it took me weeks to recognize what was right in front of my eyes. The future.”

  Rachel closed her amazing eyes and he waited, praying she was understanding what he was trying to say.

  “It’s one thing if you don’t love me,” he said urgently. “But please don’t turn away from what we could have because you don’t believe I love you more than my life.”

  * * *

  RACHEL WANTED TO believe Simon; she wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything.

  Real love didn’t have boundaries. It grew and multiplied. The more you loved, the greater your ability to love. She knew that in her head, but the part of her that had been hurt was having trouble. Was it possible that in a few weeks Simon had gone from being devoted to Olivia’s memory to loving someone else with a devotion that was no less intense? Because she couldn’t accept anything less.

  She looked at Simon...difficult, proud, handsome. He was brilliant, decent and honest, and adored his daughter. Sometimes he was exasperating but he was also the man she loved.

  “What about your contention that two career people might not be the best mix for marriag
e and parenting?” she asked, knowing there wasn’t a future for them unless she was certain in her heart that she wasn’t just a pale substitute for Olivia. “I know you were concerned about what the picture books represented, but was there more to it?”

  “In a way. From the beginning a part of me was trying to resist the way you made me feel. I never felt guilty about the other women I’d dated because we hadn’t really connected. But it was different with you. Getting uptight about the career thing was another reason to put up barriers between us.”

  “We weren’t dating,” Rachel pointed out wryly. “We’re just business associates, remember?”

  Simon took her hand. “Rachel, I’ve never confided in anyone the way I have with you. I thought it was because we were becoming friends, but it was so much more. You’ve become my conscience and my best friend, but you’re also the woman I trust wholly and completely with my heart. I need you more than I need the air I breathe.”

  The raw honesty in his eyes was impossible to doubt and happiness began welling in Rachel.

  * * *

  SIMON FELT RACHEL’S fingers curl around his and was certain she’d started to believe him.

  “Will you marry me?” he whispered. “And be Livvie’s mother? We’ll get a great big house in Kilterton and make it warm and happy. The commute will be a little longer to our respective companies, but well worth it. After all, your family is there.”

  “Livvie may not be ready for a new mother.”

  He grinned. “Livvie is unusually wise for her age. She gave me a ring and said I should propose to you before someone else did. She’s turning into a little worrywart. We should teach her to play more. Maybe get a dog to go with that great big yard we want.”

  Simon held up his free hand. The plastic ring his daughter had presented to him was on his forefinger, along with a sapphire engagement band.

  “Come on, Rachel. It’s only the rest of our lives. I dare you to take a chance on me.”

  “Dare me? What, are we fourteen?”

  He tugged her close. “Now you’re procrastinating.”

  Rachel grinned and kissed him, a lingering caress that left them both breathless. “I’ll have you know I don’t procrastinate, I make measured decisions and then throw caution to the wind. It’s one of my most charming personality quirks.”

  “You have a number of charming personality quirks,” Simon said hoarsely. “Ones that drive me out of my mind. Including not answering that question I asked you.”

  “To be clear, you had more than one question.”

  He tried to think, but it wasn’t easy with Rachel’s sweet warmth pressed close to his heart. “I asked you to marry me.”

  “And to be Livvie’s mother. Yes to all of it. Oh...and that other thing you didn’t actually come out and ask? I love you, too. Heart and soul.”

  Happiness flooded Simon. He understood why Rachel had hesitated. She’d wanted to be sure, the way he was sure.

  He kissed her again, wondering how he could have wasted so much time worrying about the risk of loving again.

  Love might be a risk, but he knew with Rachel it was worth everything.

  EPILOGUE

  RACHEL PUT HER feet up on the white wicker hassock, enjoying being outside in the lingering warmth of summer. She yawned lazily. The big, wide porch looked out across a broad lawn dotted with clusters of trees. Across the road was a protected wooded area, so they wouldn’t have to be concerned about developers transforming their lovely view.

  The house was on the edge of Kilterton, just down the road from her grandmother’s place. An aunt and uncle weren’t far away. The same with her parents.

  Their new dog lay on the porch next to her. They’d adopted Rufus a couple of weeks earlier. Contrary to her parents’ expectations, Livvie had chosen an adult English bulldog, rather than one of the wriggling puppies filling the kennels. Rufus was so ugly that he was absolutely adorable. And he’d quickly become devoted to the entire family.

  The side screen door opened and closed and she looked over to see Livvie shaking a finger at the door. “I told you, Jelly Bean, you can’t come out. Be good.” She came over, gave Rufus a hug, then happily plopped onto the outdoor love seat.

  “Do you have your homework from Friday done?” Rachel asked, smoothing Livvie’s hair.

  “Uh-huh. When are we going to Grandma and Grandpa’s? Grandpa is making my favorite cake and homemade ice cream for dinner.”

  Now that they were living in Kilterton, the monthly family dinner had become a weekly event.

  “We’ll go in a couple of hours.”

  Livvie was enjoying her status as the only grandchild and great-grandchild. A kick from the baby reminded Rachel that in around ten weeks, Livvie’s status would change to being the eldest grandchild and great-grandchild.

  Rachel patted her swollen tummy. She’d got pregnant soon after the wedding and was contemplating when to take time off for maternity leave. As her own boss, the schedule was up to her and the doctor.

  “Is my little sister kicking? Daddy says she’s going to be a soccer player,” Livvie said excitedly.

  “I’m getting a kick or two.”

  “Can I feel?”

  “Of course.” Rachel lifted the little girl’s hand and put it over the small flutters of movement. They’d kept the baby’s sex a secret for a while, then it had finally slipped out. But her grandmother had still decided to make a crib quilt with green and yellow instead of using pink. The patchwork quilt Grandma had made for Livvie’s eighth birthday was in rich shades of green, purple and turquoise, the colors that Livvie had selected.

  “Are you going to enjoy having a baby sister?” Rachel asked Livvie.

  “Oh, yes! My friend Belinda has two little brothers. A sister is much better.”

  Rachel gently tugged a lock of Livvie’s hair. “You never know, you might have a brother someday.”

  “That’s okay.” Livvie straightened. “I’m going to play fetch with Rufus.”

  “Remember, don’t throw the ball too far. He’s still getting used to playing outside.” Rufus had resided at the animal shelter for over a year and needed to build his stamina.

  “I’ll be careful. Come on, Rufus.”

  Rufus got to his feet and walked down the front steps. Livvie threw the ball a short distance. He didn’t actually run to the ball—it was more a slow, lumbering trot—but he seemed excited.

  Rachel pulled a note from her pocket that she’d got from Karen and read it again. It was sweet. Her parents had invited Karen to the baby shower they were hosting and she wanted to know if Simon would be all right with her coming. He’d immediately phoned to say she was welcome. Simon had thoroughly embraced extended family life and happily included his adoptive mother.

  The screen door opened and shut again. This time it was Simon. “It’s too cold out here for you,” he fussed, shaking out a blanket.

  “I’m perfectly all right,” Rachel said sleepily. He ignored the protest and tucked the blanket around her. “Hey, you’ve been through this once already. You should be the calm one.”

  “How can I be calm?” he demanded. “You won’t take it easy. You even insisted on making yeast rolls and pasta salad this morning. It’s the weekend. You’re supposed to be relaxing.”

  “I wanted to contribute something for tonight.”

  “We’re bringing a bushel of corn on the cob, fresh from the field, and a case of sparkling apple juice.”

  Rachel just smiled.

  Life was good.

  They no longer had a nanny. Gemma had married Matt Tupper that summer and they didn’t plan to hire anyone else. Simon had created a playroom adjacent to his office for Livvie, while Rachel’s parents, grandmother and aunts had eagerly jumped in to help with babysitting. He often joked that he didn’t have enough daughter to go around the Clarion family.r />
  After the baby was old enough, Rachel would bring her into the agency. It was one of the perks of being self-employed. Her office might be a little crowded with both a crib and playpen, but that was okay.

  Simon sat on the wicker hassock, moved her feet to his lap and began massaging them. It was a delicious luxury and she closed her eyes.

  “Have you seen the latest sales figures for Liv’ing Creations?” she asked him. “The ones for the new designs are through the roof. Almost back to where they used to be.”

  “Yeah, it’s going well. Have you looked at the latest storyboards from the designers? They seem to be the sort of thing that Liv used to do. Colorful, definitely.”

  “Yup,” she agreed. “They’re good. The owner of the company likes them, too.”

  * * *

  SIMON CHUCKLED. Rachel still enjoyed teasing him about Livvie being the real owner of Liv’ing Creations. With Rachel’s help, it looked as if the company would be alive and well by the time their daughter was old enough to take over. At the same time, he was becoming more and more aware that Livvie might make other choices.

  That was all right. Olivia wouldn’t have wanted Livvie to feel forced into becoming a clothes designer.

  Simon eased his wife’s feet back onto the hassock and shifted to sit next to her. By marrying Rachel, he’d got more than the woman he loved desperately. He’d got an entire family and a sense of peace he’d never before experienced. Once he would have believed it impossible, but life was really good. As for the problems every family faced, he knew the secret was not having to go it alone.

  Rachel put her head on his shoulder. “Happy?” she whispered.

  “The happiest,” he promised.

  * * *

  Coming next in the Emerald City Stories miniseries is a romance for the agency’s fourth and final partner,

  Logan Kensington...

  And if you need to catch up on the

  miniseries, check out these previous titles from Callie Endicott: