Time For Love Box Set

by Karen Deen

  To my three amazing children.

  Dream big and reach for the stars. Never stop dreaming.

  Chapter One

  Grant

  Pacing my office, I try to think of a solution to fix yet another problem with the Branch Street project. Why do I have to think for everyone all the time? If the bloody demolition company had just listened and read the briefs we sent them, they wouldn’t have cut off the electricity for half the block.

  Instead, I have the surrounding Branch Street buildings calling my cell phone, blowing up at me because they’ve been left in the dark. Meanwhile, I am trying to get the electrical company to the site who seem in no rush, and the site supervisor is down there blasting the demo guys. This is yet another fuck-up and we haven’t even started to build.

  All in all, today has been a shit day.

  “Louisa, get Luke to my office now,” I yell through the door to my assistant. Someone else can sort this shit out while I attend my scheduled meetings. Zach is busy and is already stressed past the point of normal. Emily, his wife, is due to have their baby in the next few weeks and he has been a nightmare to work with. He is always so stressed and anxious. Zach sat us down as a family after meeting Emily and told us about his daughter Faith. He told us many years ago his ex-girlfriend had been pregnant and not told him. The baby, a little girl he named Faith, was born early with birth defects. She died soon after. Zach never got to see her, and her body was donated to science by the mother. Zach was devastated. It was sad and a shock to us all. We had no idea. We have given him as much understanding and support as possible. I wanted to find that bitch ex-girlfriend of his and rip her apart for how she treated Zach and Faith. Protecting the family is my job.

  This pregnancy has been hard on them both. He has every right to be fussing and stressing over Emily. To be honest, I’ll be relieved when this baby is born so we all know that Emily and my niece or nephew are safe and well. Emily is a natural when it comes to motherhood and is a beautiful mom to twins, Sophia and Samuel. The three of them have brought so much happiness and life to our family. Zach is content. I love all three of them and will always be there for them. Zach is very protective of them, but so is the whole family. Looking back, Emily, Sophia and Samuel are the only treasures that the Branch Street property has given us. Living as a single mom in that dump must have been hell. Now Emily and Zach are married, she’ll never have to struggle on her own again.

  “What have you got your knickers in a knot about this time, big brother?” Luke asks as he enters my office with a stupid grin on his face.

  Just once, I wish I could say he took his job seriously. Luke is always joking around, whether at work or home with the family. I love my brother but he drives me crazy most days.

  Most of the time, Zach acts as the middleman between us, but when he isn’t in the office, Luke is barely tolerable. Being CEO of the family’s building company, we’re bound to clash. Working with my brothers, Zach and Luke, is a challenge, and add on top the constant eye-rolling from my sisters Alesha and Lilly. They are my family and I love them, but each and every one of them pisses me off on a daily basis.

  If they would just do things my way, we wouldn’t have a problem.

  “Just once, could there be no smartass comment when you walk into my office, Luke? We have a shitstorm brewing and you drew the lucky number to sort it out. The bloody demo guys have cut off the electricity to half the neighborhood in Branch Street, and I don’t have time to handle it. Stuart, the site supervisor, is sorting out the demo team, but I need you to get that electricity back on ASAP before we have people wanting to rip us apart. We don’t want anyone sitting in the dark tonight. It’s just after two so we have four hours before nightfall and the temperature drops. Do your best.”

  “How stupid are those demolition guys?” Luke runs his hands through his hair in frustration. “We give them every single piece of information they need to make sure this doesn’t happen. Far out. Now my day just went to shit, didn’t it? I’m going to be pushing it to get the power back on in four hours, Grant, you know that. I will try but can’t promise it. The power company doesn’t care when they are fixing other people’s stuff-ups. Wish me luck.” Luke turns to walk out, hesitates at the door and turns back to me. “Hey, have you spoken to Zach today? I’m worried about him. Now that we are down to the last few weeks, he’s hanging in there, but only by a few threads, I think. God, I hope the baby is born without any issues. Zach is going to be a mess if anything goes wrong.”

  “Yeah, I am concerned too. I spoke to him earlier and he was doing okay. I also heard Emily in the background telling him to stop fussing. They are trying to be brave, I think, but I know they’re both nervous. We have to just keep our fingers crossed and be ready to be there for them both no matter what happens.” A look passes between us. A look that speaks of the love we both share for our family. It’s one thing we can agree on.

  Family is the most important thing in our lives.

  “Thanks man,” Luke says. “I’ll go kick some ass on site and get this sorted. Keep you posted.” With that, he turns and is gone. My little brother is the joker of the family but still works bloody hard. I’m not one to babble mushy words. I’m proud of him and what he achieves. Just like I’m proud of all my brothers and sisters. Working together, we’re a well-oiled machine. Problem is, I’m the driver of this machine. My siblings give me shit about being bossy and controlling, but someone has to do it. Dad retired and left the business to us to expand. Alesha and Lilly are great at running the office, and coordinating projects on-site, while Zach and Luke both have their roles and keep the work coming in with their talents. This leaves me as head of the company and family. I didn’t ask for the role, but being the oldest, it’s just the way it is.

  With Luke sorting out the Branch Street dramas, I get on with the rest of the day which is comprised of meetings for other projects that are both in progress and new ones we are trying to get off the line.

  Grabbing my briefcase off the desk, I check my phone and head towards Louisa. “I’m out of the office for the rest of the day but will be on my cell if you need me.” I continue walking to the elevator, aware I’m running late after all the drama of the morning. I have to be across town in ten minutes, but no matter how good a driver I am, ten minutes is unrealistic. I know Louisa would’ve already called my next meeting to make them aware I’m running late. She runs my schedule perfectly and understands I don’t waste time giving instructions. I expect my staff to think ahead. I know the staff in the office fears me, which is the way I like it. It keeps them on their toes and working hard.

  The afternoon is disappearing fast. I’m heading back to my car to drive downtown for my last meeting of the day. It’s with the council members who are preparing to vote on our next proposed development down on the river bank. They need to be walked through the proposal. It frustrates the hell out of me that the people in power, the ones responsible for making the decisions, are so stupid. They have no idea what is going on. My job in this meeting is to explain what our family company is proposing and convince them of the benefits to the community. We’ll take a rundown factory area and transform it into housing and parklands that will be affordable for the low-income families. It has always been important to our family to ensure we help other families who are struggling with housing, more so now after we met Emily and the kids who’d been living in one of our acquired buildings. They were barely surviving, living in less than adequate conditions for a single mom and two of the cutest seven-year-olds I know.

  Crossing the road to the town hall, my pocket starts vibrating. Grabbing my cell, I read the screen. Zach. Anyone else, I would let it go to voicemail but not for Zach, not at the moment.

  “Zach,” I greet.

  “Grant, I need your help. We’re on our way to the hospital. Emily’s waters have broken, and she’s gone into labor.” Zach is yelling and talking at speed.

  “Whoa, Zach slow down. Is Em okay? Isn’t this a li
ttle early?”

  “Of course, it’s early, Grant! Too fucking early. The baby was supposed to stay in there for another two weeks. I just need to get her to the hospital and let the doctor make sure they’re both okay.” Zach is wound up but who could blame him? After losing his first daughter in terrible circumstances, he is extremely protective of Emily and their unborn child.

  “Just stay calm, Zach. It’s all going to be fine, I promise. Just don’t drive like a lunatic. I don’t want to have to visit you in the hospital in the bed next to Emily. Just get to the hospital safely and everything will be okay.” I can hear the directness in my voice. My big brother speech, bordering on a father voice is both calm and assertive at Zach.

  “Grant, just listen and let me tell you what I need so I can get off the phone. Sophia is at her dance class down on Lester Avenue at the Dream to Dance school. Miss Zara is her teacher. We need you to pick her up at 5:30PM after class and bring her to the hospital. Samuel is with Mom and Dad and they will meet you at the hospital.” Zach stops talking as I hear a scream from Emily. I feel my heart jump at the thought of the pain she’s in and the panic Zach is feeling. I’m the one who’s supposed to fix all the problems in the family, but I feel useless right now. There is nothing I can do and it pisses me off that I can’t control the situation.

  I can hear Zach talking Emily through the contraction and then he’s back.

  “I have to go, Grant, Emily needs me. Just please take care of our little girl.”

  “Arrrggghhh, Zach! I forgot how much this shit hurts.” The phone call ends abruptly, and I am left standing on the sidewalk. Zach must be going crazy trying to drive and look after Emily while she’s in so much pain. I don’t know enough about babies to know how worried I should be about the labor starting early. What I do know is that there is nothing I can do to help the arrival of the baby. What I can do, however, is take care of little Sophia.

  There is something special about Emily’s children. From the first day I met them, they had me hooked. Samuel is such a live-wire and has verbal diarrhea. His thirst for knowledge is fantastic. He will go a long way, that boy. And I could only hope nothing ever squashes the enthusiasm for life Sammy has.

  Sophia stole my heart from the very first moment I saw her hiding behind Zach and Emily. A shy little girl who had lost all her confidence around people she didn’t know.

  Especially men.

  Life has been hard for them all and it’s shown in her insecurities. I understand her need to only talk when necessary. Sophia is a deep thinker. She’ll only share her thoughts if she feels it’s important. We’re similar like that. I think that’s why we have a special connection. I don’t relate to children at all, but Sophia is different. I knew we were developing a special bond which started the moment she leapt into my arms when I found her and Samuel on the farm, after their runaway attempt. I wrapped her up in my arms and knew then I would love and protect this little girl forever. We have a special connection of the soul. One I will never let anyone break.

  Chapter Two

  Zara

  There’s a sense of pride that falls over me at the end of each day seeing the smiles of my little ballerinas. The joy they show in a smile tells me they had fun in their lesson, which is all I care about. The skill of dancing will come to them as they get older. If they aren’t enjoying the class at this young age, then they are never going to grow up loving dance like I do.

  Dancing is my life.

  I use it to express my feelings and it keeps me fit and healthy. Opening the studio six years ago was a huge step. My life changed direction after my injury and teaching is a way to keep my days filled with dance. The studio also gives me a place to do my rehabilitation and to gain my strength back. Stubbornness is a major character flaw of mine, according to my mom. I, on the other hand, would say it’s a positive to have in my life. It got me where I am now.

  The giggling is starting to soften as I realize nearly all the children have been picked up by their parents.

  “Bye, Miss Zara.” Josie waves with a big smile as she walks out the door and down the stairs. That leaves just little Sophia. Emily being late is unusual. Although moving around is probably challenging being so heavily pregnant. Perhaps Zach will be picking Sophia up. She’s only been dancing a couple of months with me but seems to be fitting in nicely.

  She’s a little on the quiet side, however her technique is amazing, and she picks up any choreography I give her straight away. Sophia has great potential. Once Emily has her baby and things settle down for them, I want to talk to her about Sophia stepping up a class level, so we can expand her skills.

  “How did you find class today, Sophia? Did you have fun?” I smile down at the little girl with the big beautiful eyes. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a perfect ballet bun without a wisp out of place. She’s a picture of cuteness in her pale pink leotard and ballet skirt.

  “Yes, thank you, Miss Zara. It’s the best part of the week to come dancing. I love it.” Her face lights up with enthusiasm. That lets me know we have a ballerina in the making. “Miss Zara, do you know where my mommy is? Why hasn’t she come to get me yet?” I see the worry starting in her eyes.

  “I think she’s just running late, sweetie. It’s getting hard to move with her big belly.” I looked down at Sophia and we giggle together. Just as we stop laughing I hear the front door close and footsteps heading up the stairs to the studio.

  “Looks like someone is here now, Sophia. Maybe it’s Daddy. It sounds like the person is moving too fast to be poor old Mommy with her baby waddle.” We both giggle again as the studio door flies open and standing there is a ridiculously hot man in a suit. A suit that fits to perfection in all the right places. My eyes travel up to see a strong jawline and eyes that have the power to cut glass. He’s a man with a purpose, I just have no idea what it is.

  “Uncle Grant,” Sophia calls, taking off across the room and jumping to be caught in his strong arms. “Where’s Mommy and Daddy, and why are you here?” Sophia obviously thinks a lot of her uncle which is why she’s already snuggling into his shoulder.

  “Hi, Princess Sophia. I see you’re glad to see me.” He looks down at her like she’s his world.

  “Mom and Dad have gone to the hospital because your little brother or sister is being impatient and decided it was time to be born.” Finally, he glances up to see me standing there, wanting an introduction and explanation. One that is not at the level of a seven-year-old girl.

  “Good afternoon, I’m Miss Zara, Sophia’s ballet teacher.” I extend my hand to this mystery man.

  Clearing his throat, he does the same. “Sorry, Miss Zara. Grant Stevenson, I’m Zach’s brother and Emily’s brother-in-law.” His voice is deep and powerful, one that settles on your chest with the weight of the world. “I’m here to pick up Sophia for Zach and Emily. They are on their way to the hospital as she’s gone into labor. It’s a little early, so they weren’t really prepared. Sorry to keep you late, I’ll just take her now and get out of your hair.” He turns to leave and tells Sophia to say goodbye to me.

  “Wait right there, Mr. Stevenson. I’m sorry, but you cannot take Sophia with you.” I yell, stopping him in his tracks.

  “I beg your pardon, Zara. What did you just say to me?” Grant huffs, looking at me with his fixed glare. I’m not scared of this man. I bet his bark is worse than any bite.

  “Sophia is in my care, you are not on the approved list of people to pick her up from class. I can see that she knows you and I understand the circumstances, but I have a duty of care to all my students to keep them safe.”

  He stands there glaring at me. I feel the sweat running down my back and it isn’t from dancing. “Is there any chance you could get Zach on the phone to authorize it?”

  “Listen, lady,” his voice sinks deeper, anger starting to build on his face. “There is no way I will be able to talk to Zach. Emily is in the middle of having a baby, two weeks early! He will be by her side making sure she is ok
ay, and the baby is safe. So, we need to get past this crap, so I can get Sophia to the hospital to be with the rest of the family. I’m sure I’m capable of caring for my niece. She will see you next class.” Again, he turns to leave but I’m pissed off at the way he keeps dismissing me. Shit is about to get real.

  Reaching out, I grab his shoulder “Look, Mr. Arrogant, I don’t care if you’re the President. You are not leaving with Sophia who is legally under my care unless I get authorization that you can. So, I suggest you back up, otherwise I will call the police and tell them you’re kidnapping her.” Oh God, why did I just say that and sound like a crazy woman?

  “Are you for real?” Grant laughs in disbelief. “Don’t you think that’s a bit ridiculous? I just need to get to the hospital. I am sure my hands will feel perfect on your waist while I move you out of the way. Now, I don’t want to do that because I would never touch a woman without her permission. Although I am sure you will enjoy it, but I don’t have time to waste.” He’s practically growling now.

  “Don’t you dare. I’m not so easily pushed around by your big growly voice.” As much as he makes me mad with his arrogance, he looks sexy as hell with little Sophia in his arms and snuggled against his chest. “We need to stay calm and sort this out, so you can get to the hospital and I can feel confident Sophia is safe.” Grant’s reaction is clearly visible at the suggestion Sophia isn’t safe. Grant looks like he’s ready to let go with a full rant at me.

  He sucks in a big breath and I can tell he’s trying to keep calm and pick his words carefully.

  “Look, Miss Zara, you have two choices here. You either let me walk past you and out this door so I can take Sophia to the hospital to be with her family, and you can go home to yours. Or you can grab your bag, lock the door, get in my car, and come to the hospital where you can sit and wait to see Zach or Emily and get their permission. Either way, I’m leaving now, so make your choice damn fast.” There are those eyes again that could cut glass. I think I have poked the bear enough and to be honest I can’t see any other way around it than to go to the hospital with him.