“Birdie Whitaker called. She’d like to know if you could come to the estate to consult with her and her sister about their legal affairs.”
“That’s not a problem,” Daniel assured her. “Just find out when she’d like to meet. I have free time this afternoon if that’s a possibility.” He paused. “Do you know anything about the Whitakers?”
“Only that she and her sister are co-owners of Furever Paws.”
“Both sisters are unmarried and they live in their family’s original home,” he explained.
“Never married?”
With a shrug, Daniel elaborated. “Rumor has it that Bunny was engaged in her twenties, and her fiancé died tragically. But she’s always willing to share happy memories. Birdie, on the other hand, never discusses her past relationships.”
“So how did Furever Paws come to be?” Emma had never heard the entire history of the shelter.
“Our office has done legal work for them in the past. Their father left the property in equal shares to them and their two brothers. The brothers sold out their shares completely, and over the years the sisters have smartly sold small sections of their property and they live off the investments. But now, theirs is a pocket of undisturbed land with developments going up all around them. They were constantly having stray animals dropped off on their acreage. They started an animal refuge but it became too much for the two of them to handle financially, so they filed for nonprofit status and started the Furever Paws Animal Rescue.”
“So they don’t have animals on their private property now?”
Daniel smiled. “Oh, yes, they do. Whitaker Acres is home to goats, pigs, geese and I think even a pair of llamas that they took in.”
“Do you think they’ll sell off more of their land?”
“They’ve told me more than once they’ve no intention of selling more land. They want to leave Whitaker Acres as a trust. They’re hoping their investments will keep them and the shelter afloat for a long time. But maybe they’ve had to reevaluate their financial situation. When a tornado came through in March, it caused major damage to the shelter. Birdie and Bunny hadn’t realized their insurance had lapsed. The whole town came together and threw a big barbecue cook-off and raised enough funds to fix the damage. I think they’ve also gotten some financial grants, but maybe the money wasn’t enough after all, especially since they used a chunk of it to expand the shelter’s capacity. I believe that screened enclosure they’re adding for cats will be the last of the changes.”
Daniel stood and came around the desk. With him closer now, Emma quit thinking clearly. She knew there was something else she wanted to tell him. It came back to her as he stood in front of her and she looked up at him. “Birdie asked me to come along when you go to the estate so we can talk animals. It’s clear she loves pets even though she says that Bunny is the sister who can’t turn an animal away.”
Daniel’s eyes searched her face. She suspected he wanted to touch her, yet he didn’t—maybe because they were in his office. His voice was husky as he said, “I have a feeling you can’t turn them away either, true?”
“Maybe so,” Emma murmured. Before the sparks between them could light into a fire neither of them could put out, she suddenly came up with an idea. “You know I like to volunteer at the shelter. What if I took the three P’s along with me? I’m sure there are things they could do there that would help.”
“That sounds like a good idea. It would give them a sense of service. I know in high school they have to sign up for service projects. This would be a start.”
Neither of them seemed to want to move away, but then suddenly Daniel snapped his fingers. “Something I wanted to tell you. I was on the phone this morning with our family physician. I made an appointment for Paris but the physician who usually sees her is on vacation. The appointment is in two weeks. I thought it was better that Paris felt comfortable with somebody she knew than to make an appointment sooner with a stranger.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that. Just let me know when it is and I’ll put it on the calendar.”
Daniel told her the date and time. She gave him a smile and took a step back. “I’d better note this before I forget.”
Daniel didn’t protest but nodded. “Just let me know when Birdie wants to see me.”
“I’ll call her back right now,” Emma assured him, then left his office before she stayed... Left his office before he could kiss her again... Left his office so she’d remember it was business only when they were there.
* * *
Daniel drove Emma to Whitaker Acres. Fortunately, Birdie had wanted to meet at 1:00 p.m. That was great since his girls would still be at their camps. He slowed as he drove toward One Little Creek Road.
“How old is the house?” Emma asked.
“It’s one hundred years old. It’s a little weathered but well kept. The metal roof helps.”
“I like the white clapboards and it has Victorian details.”
Daniel pulled up in the parking area beside the house. The front porch was large, with rockers and hanging plants.
“You can tell the sisters really care about this house. Look at those flower boxes.”
Emma was speaking of the flower boxes under every window that were all decorated with burgundy-painted wood shutters.
“I love the etched-glass windows on the wood front door,” she added.
Daniel noted another car was parked on the gravel.
After he and Emma climbed from his vehicle, they rounded the house and went up the steps to the porch. Daniel pressed the bell.
The door opened and Daniel said, “Hi, Birdie. This is Emma.”
“Oh, yes. I recognize you from the shelter. Bunny’s in the parlor. Come on in.” Birdie’s smile was wide as she ushered them inside. She was tall and thin and in terrific shape for age sixty-four.
Daniel watched Emma as they walked on the plank flooring into the parlor, which was decorated with plenty of chintz as well as flowers and ruffles and elegant doilies. To his surprise, Richard Jackson was sitting there. The local veterinarian with the twinkling light brown eyes was African American and his hair was black with a touch of gray at the temples.
“Doc J,” Emma said. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“You and the doc know each other?” Daniel asked.
“Doc J helps the animals at Furever Paws.”
Dr. Jackson stood and came toward Emma. He took her hand and shook it, then did the same with Daniel. “Hello, Daniel. It’s been a while.”
Daniel realized that in a town as small as Spring Forest, the older residents usually knew all about the younger ones. “It has been a while. How are you?” He knew the doctor’s wife had passed away five years ago.
“I’m fine, always good when I’m visiting Birdie and Bunny.” He cast his glance at the two of them.
Daniel had heard the rumors that Dr. Jackson was sweet on one of the sisters, but nobody knew which one.
“My daughter, Lauren, is working with me now,” the vet explained. “She’s going to take over when I retire at the end of the year.” He took a step back. “I know Birdie and Bunny have called you in for important business, so I’ll leave you to it.”
Birdie was quick to protest. “You don’t have to go. You know all about most of our business.”
The vet chuckled. “Maybe so, but I still think it’s best I leave.” He turned to Daniel and Emma. “These two lovely ladies took pity on me and invited me to lunch. They fill my social calendar so Lauren believes I have one.”
They all smiled and both sisters walked the veterinarian to the door. When they came back in, Birdie sat on the sofa and invited Emma and Daniel to take their seats.
Bunny perched next to her sister and picked up a folder that was on the coffee table. “I know your time is valuable, Daniel, so we’ll plunge right in. Birdie has pu
t these notes together so she’ll explain why we need you.”
Daniel knew Bunny, whose real name was Gwendolyn, was a year younger than Birdie. She was shorter and plumper, too, but still very pretty. Sometimes Daniel thought she was a little naive about the world in general, but she was a great support for her sister and for the shelter.
Emma had taken out a legal pad and pen. “Daniel has asked me to take notes. Do you mind?”
“Of course we don’t mind,” Bunny assured her, plumping the silver waves over her brow. “And after we’re done here I want you to tell me all about Fiesta. Did she have her kittens yet?”
“Not yet,” Emma said. “But after we finish business I’ll tell you what Daniel’s daughters think of her and how we set up a room for her.”
Bunny’s eyes twinkled. “I look forward to it.”
“All right now,” Birdie said. Daniel appreciated the fact that Birdie usually spoke her mind. In the long run, that saved time and misunderstandings.
“You know how fond we are of Gator,” Bunny began, jumping in ahead of Birdie.
“Now, sister,” Birdie gently chastised. “We have to tell Daniel everything.” Birdie turned to Daniel. “Our brother is younger than we are but he thinks he knows better than we do. It’s because of that investment firm he works at in Durham, North Carolina. There’s no denying he’s made himself a lot of money, but the truth is if he had common sense, he wouldn’t be twice married and twice divorced. He’d be closer to his teenage sons. But that’s neither here nor there. He has insisted that our investments are fine, but as you know he let our insurance lapse. That kerfuffle has us worried that he might be letting things slide.”
Bunny looked terribly embarrassed as she said, “Birdie thinks there’s something wrong with the paperwork, too.”
“There’s not enough of it,” Birdie complained. “We should be getting monthly statements. But anytime I ask Gator about it, he isn’t forthcoming.”
“What would you like me to do?” Daniel asked.
“We’d like you to investigate all of our legal work. In this folder I have our wills, medical power of attorney and durable power of attorney that you drew up for us. I also have the new insurance papers, which I took care of myself. We’d also like you to investigate our investment accounts. Give us an accounting of what has been taken out, what has been put in and what interest or dividends we have earned. Can you do that?”
Daniel glanced at Emma, and she caught his look. She seemed to understand what he was thinking before he said it. She said, “Will you be asking Megan to assist you?”
He explained to the sisters, “I just hired a new associate, Megan Jennings. She has an accounting background, so if you’re comfortable with her being involved, she’d be great at doing a preliminary report for me. I will check over everything and then report back to you. How does that sound?”
“That sounds perfect,” Bunny responded with a wide smile. “Now, let’s talk about the most important things in life, like animals, while we have tea and cookies. Sound good?”
Daniel knew each of his visits ended with tea and cookies. He didn’t dare refuse. When he gave a nod to Emma, she said, “Tea and cookies sound lovely.” He liked the way she related to the Whitaker sisters. He liked the way she related to him.
* * *
Daylight was just crawling between the slats of the blinds when Emma awakened. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Daniel’s voice was close down to her ear. “Emma? Are you awake?”
She’d been dreaming about Daniel, and now his deep baritone vibrated through her in a rhythm she was coming to know. She opened her eyes and there he was, hovering above her. His hair was mussed, but his eyes were worried. She couldn’t help but see that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. She’d felt those hard abs against her when they were swimming. She’d felt him against her.
She couldn’t believe the thoughts running through her head. She couldn’t believe she wanted to pull him down into bed with her. Sometimes she felt crazy when daytime dreams floated through her mind—dreams of princes and princesses and happily-ever-afters. Had he come down here to kiss her and—
“Emma, I think Fiesta needs you. I think she’s going to have her kittens.”
That statement certainly awakened Emma. She sat up quickly and propped herself up on her elbows. Then she realized her tank top, with its thin spaghetti straps, was dipping lower than it should. She yanked it up and sat up, keeping her shoulders straight. “What’s going on?”
“I heard her meowing and I went in to check on her. She’s circling the room and climbing in and out of that nest you made for her in the plastic bin. What should we do?”
She liked the fact that he’d used we. He felt part of this undertaking, as she did. “Wake the girls. They’re not going to want to miss this. We can’t all be in the room at the same time, but one of us should sit with her until we know what’s going on.”
“Even Pippa?”
“Why don’t we let Pippa go in first for a short time? You and I will be right outside if she needs us. Do you think Fiesta just started meowing?”
“I think so. I’m a pretty light sleeper. I didn’t hear her before now.”
“Let’s go see what’s going on.”
The three P’s were practically bouncing with excitement even though they’d just awakened. Emma said, “Too many people in the room could cause a delay with Fiesta birthing the kittens. So each of us will just keep her company for a little while, and we’ll take turns.”
Daniel gathered his daughters around him. “I need you to calm down if you can. If you’re calm, my guess is Fiesta will stay more calm. She’s going to want comfort, not excitement.” He raised his eyes to Emma’s. “Right?”
“Exactly.”
Then he explained, “But one of us will be right outside the room if you need us.”
They decided that the order of going into the room would be Pippa, then Penny, then Emma, then Paris. Emma could determine what was happening because she’d seen kittens born at the shelter. She’d also watched some YouTube videos with Daniel and his daughters.
When it was Emma’s turn to sit with Fiesta, she saw the longing in Paris’s eyes. Maybe an exception was in order here. She crooked her finger at Paris and they both went in to Fiesta, who was circling the bin, stepping out and then stepping back in. When she was out of the bin, she would circle the room, rubbing against the condo and anything else that came into her path.
“What’s she doing?” Paris asked in a whisper.
“She scenting where she’s been. That way when the kittens are old enough to be out and about, they’ll know their mother’s smell.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. She can set boundaries for them that way.”
“I guess it’s sort of like me recognizing my mother’s perfume when she was around.”
This was the first Paris had spoken of her mother. “Yes, it’s the same thing. Or you might be able to tell she’s been in a room by the scent of her shampoo.”
“With Mom, it was perfume. With you, it’s shampoo.”
Emma was surprised that Paris had noticed. Then again, preteens could be quite perceptive.
Fiesta came over to Emma for a while and settled in her lap. Emma stroked her patiently and gently, murmuring to her that everything would be all right.
“Do you believe that?” Paris asked.
“I do—why?”
“I hate when people say that and they know it’s not true. After Mom left, Dad told us that all the time. And it wasn’t true. Nothing was all right for a really long time.”
Emma could hear anger in Paris’s voice. “Did you ever tell your dad how you felt about it?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because Penny and Pippa needed to believe it.”
“And you didn�
�t?”
After a long pause, Paris shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I think you should tell your dad how you feel. If you’re honest with him, maybe he’ll be more honest with you.”
Fiesta chose that moment to move over into Paris’s lap. Emma thought she saw Paris’s eyes glisten with tears but she wasn’t sure. The comfort of an animal could do that. Or maybe Paris finally letting her feelings off her chest had done it.
Suddenly Fiesta gave a loud meow, stepped over Paris’s legs and went into the bin. She circled and then lay down.
“I think it’s time,” Emma said softly. “If she has more than one, there could be minutes or even an hour between each one. Hopefully you’ll each get to see a birth.”
“Are you going to call to Dad?”
“Let’s wait and see what happens.”
What happened was within minutes Fiesta delivered her firstborn. “I’m going to show you what to do,” Emma said. “That way when your dad comes in you can tell him.”
“But I don’t know...” Paris began.
“Just watch. If she breaks the birthing sac quickly, we don’t have to do a thing. But if she doesn’t, we have to do it for her.”
They watched as Fiesta did break the sac and began washing her newborn.
“She does that for stimulation,” Emma told Paris.
“Look, it’s yellow and fuzzy. Aw, isn’t it cute? It’s so small!”
Daniel was in the room when the next kitten was born. Emma had left the door open a few inches so Penny and Pippa could hear what was going on. As Emma had directed, Paris told him exactly what they should do when the second kitten was born.
Paris came out to fetch Penny. “Be really quiet,” she told her. “Fiesta and Dad know what to do.”
Emma asked, “What color is the second-born?”
“It has yellow and brown and black and white.”
It was three hours later when Emma and Pippa saw the third kitten born. It, too, had yellow, brown, white and black, but not as much white as number two. When the three kittens were nursing, Penny asked, “Is she going to have any more?”
The Nanny Clause (Furever Yours Book 4) Page 10