“Must be Kaylee’s mom,” she guessed, sizing up the price of the car. She tapped his shoulder sympathetically. “I hate to say it, but I think you’re just going to have to grin and bear it, bro. Women like her are on a mission, and it’s usually to make everyone else suffer.”
“Lucky me.”
Angie stepped toward the cab. “I’ll see you soon. Call if you need anything.”
“Any day, people,” the cabbie said as he slid into the driver’s seat.
Bastian opened the cab door for her. “I'm sorry about the way things turned out. I never should have greeted you the way I did.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just don’t be a stranger.” Angie climbed inside and closed the door. Bastian stepped away from the cab and watched it tool down the driveway and onto the street. Once the cab had disappeared, Bastian turned his attention to Denna, watching as she walked toward him, scrutinizing him, starting at his feet and ending at his head. Here goes round two, he thought, folding his arms across his chest. I’ll be fine so long as she left the goddamned Taser at home.
“Good morning, Ms. Renard. And how are you?”
“Where’s Kaylee?” She fished for something in her purse.
He forced a fake smile. “I’m fine, Ms. Renard. It's kind of you to ask.”
“I didn’t ask how you were. I asked where Kaylee was.” Glowering at him, she pulled a tissue from her purse and touched her nose lightly.
“And I asked you a polite question you ignored. I guess that makes us even, doesn’t it?” Bastian shoved his hands in his jean pockets.
She tried to brush past, but he stepped into her path. “Damn it,” she swore, still trying to move around him, but he matched her direction step for step. “What do you want?”
“For you to stop acting like I have leprosy.” He stepped closer. “I haven’t done anything to hurt Kaylee. Or you. She gave me a chance, and all I’m asking is that you do the same.”
“Oh, you have done things.” She crammed the tissue in her purse.
He shook his head. “Loving Kaylee isn’t a crime.”
She pointed a finger at his face. “You don’t love her. You just want the money she has.”
Bastian slapped her hand away. He stared at the hard line of her mouth and the eyes that pierced him. Her fingers curled to fists, and he finally understood. “My family has plenty of money I didn’t want. You’re afraid you’re going to lose Kaylee, and maybe you will, but it won’t be because of me.” He turned and started to walk inside.
“I asked you where my daughter was.”
Bastian kept walking. “Sleeping.”
“Can I trust you with a simple message for her? Or will you bungle that, too?”
Bastian stopped and shook his head. “You’re going to have to take a chance, aren’t you?”
She looked at her watch and then at Bastian. “I’d like Kaylee to come over around seven tomorrow. I have something I want to give her.”
“I’ll tell her.” Bastian touched the door knob.
As he opened the door, she said hesitantly, “I have something...for you, too.”
Bastian laughed aloud and shrugged his shoulders. “What—a cage? A leash? A whip?”
He started to go inside when she called, “Seven. Don’t forget,” then turned back toward her car.
“Don’t worry,” he shouted. “You spoke in simple words that even an idiot like me could understand.”
Denna glared and opened her car door. As Bastian stepped inside, he heard the Mercedes’ engine purr to life and wondered what chilled him more—the cold or that woman.
Chapter Nineteen
Despite the nervousness clawing at Bastian's stomach and the acid eating away inside, he forced a smile and slid his arm around Kaylee's waist as they followed the cement path around Denna’s landscaped yard.
He frowned. "Your mother said she wanted to give you something. And me, too."
Kaylee stopped and looked at him incredulously. "You'd better make sure it's not ticking."
Bastian laughed and drew her closer. "I thought of that, don't worry. I'm not really sure about this. Speak of the devil and she appears." He looked at the window by the front door and spotted Denna. A few snowflakes landed on the back of his neck.
As they stepped to the door, Kaylee stopped. "Relax. We can exchange gifts and go."
"That's easy for you to say," Bastian grunted. "I'm still not convinced she hasn't put a price on my head and invited some mercenary over for the kill. Besides, I didn't get her a present," he whispered as Denna opened the door.
"You mean you didn't shop for her," she replied, waving a couple of small gift bags in front of him. "I went out last week and picked up something for both of us to give her."
He pecked her cheek. "You might have saved my life. I’d hate for her to use the Taser again."
Thick white flakes landed in Kaylee's dark hair, turning into glistening drops as they melted. Bastian stared as Denna opened the door. She wore a tan velvet pantsuit with brown pumps. A delicate gold necklace adorned her neck.
"I see you got the message," she said in a non‑committal tone to her daughter. "Well, don’t just stand there all night. Come inside."
"Good evening, Mother,” Kaylee said, stepping into the foyer and waiting for Bastian to follow. He looked at his boots, stamped off the excess snow, and stepped inside. Kaylee's mother brushed past them, heading into the living room, gesturing for them to follow.
"Merry Christmas. We brought you these,” Kaylee said, holding out the bags as the two of them sat on the couch.
Denna stared at the gifts, and accepted them with a trembling hand as she sat on the armchair next to the couch. Gingerly, she began to unwrapping them. After all the paper had been tugged away, Denna gasped as she found a gold heart‑shaped locket. She laid the charm in her palm.
“It's beautiful," she whispered.
As Kaylee watched her mother hold the locket against her chest, she stood and helped her drape the chain around her neck and close the clasp. Denna’s hand closed over the heart, and she closed her eyes.
Kaylee pointed to the other small bag. "Bastian brought you this one."
Denna's eyelashes fluttered open, and she peered at the unopened present. "You really didn’t need to," she said, slowly picking up the package. Carefully, she tugged the contents from the bag and examined them to find a pair of black leather gloves and a matching hat. Bastian too, leaned close, intrigued to see what exactly Kaylee had found as an appropriate gift.
”These are lovely.” Denna slipped her hand into one of them. “I had meant to buy myself a new pair when I lost my old ones last month, but I hadn’t gotten around to that.” She pulled off the glove. “Thank you.” Standing, she headed toward the small tree in the corner that both Kaylee and Bastian had overlooked upon entering.
“I have something for both of you.” She lifted the two presents from under the tree and gave the larger of the two to Kaylee. “Merry Christmas.”
Bastian held his gold-wrapped gift in his lap, wondering what the hell to do with it. He knew he was supposed to open it, but considering just how uncomfortable things were between him and Denna, he felt awkward at best. He looked at Kaylee and found her nodding her head.
“Go ahead,” she whispered, smiling as she, too, held her unopened gift in her lap. “Open yours first. I want to see what Mother gave you.”
Bastian frowned, wondering if that was code for “Let’s see if it’s a bomb or something else dangerous.” Still, he could tell from Kaylee’s still hands that she was going to wait for him, even if it took all evening.
He fumbled with the paper, trying to loosen the tape without tearing the paper, and he thought he was doing a fine job until Kaylee leaned over and whispered, “You’re supposed to tear the paper, Bastian.”
“Since you put it that way,” he muttered, yanking the paper free of the gift. As a big piece came loose, he saw that what he held was a framed picture of Kaylee, or the child she’d be
en a lifetime ago. A long white dress covered her five-year-old body, and big transparent wings had been mounted on her back. She smiled at the person taking the picture and waved her wand. In her smile, Bastian could see the woman with whom he would someday fall in love. Still, God help him, he’d never been lucky enough to know the child she’d been. He’d missed that.
“Oh, my God,” he whispered, mesmerized by her sky-blue eyes. “It’s perfect. She’s perfect.” He could feel the sting of tears, and his vision clouded over.
“I didn’t really know what to get you. I’m not exactly the world’s best at buying presents,” Denna said, softly, leaning back into the couch.
Bastian looked at Denna. “This is priceless. Thank you.”
Denna smiled at him, and for once Bastian thought he’d seen through the angry facade. “You’re welcome.” She turned toward Kaylee. “You still have a present to open.”
Kaylee began tearing the paper and slowly found a huge scrapbook in her lap. The word “Baby” was embossed in gold letters across the front. Kaylee traced the words. Tears stung her eyes, and she swallowed hard to keep them in check.
“It’s my baby book,” she said. “I didn’t even know you’d kept one.” She flipped through the pages slowly, taking time to run her fingers over the photos.
“Of course I kept a baby book.” She lifted a glass to her lips and took a drink, then she set the glass on the table within a clinking of ice cubes. “But it’s not just a baby book. It’s also a journal I kept until you were two. It’s all there, and I thought you might like to have it.” She placed her hands in her lap. A huge smile lit up Kaylee’s face as she stood and leaned toward her mother, wrapping her arms around her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, kissing her mother’s face.
“You’re welcome.” Denna squeezed Kaylee, closed her eyes, and savored the feel of the woman who had once been her little girl.
Kaylee’s eyes burned, and the tears overflowed. When at last she’d released her mother, she brushed her face and leaned back against the sofa, clutching the baby book to her chest.
“Where is your sister?” Denna glanced back at Bastian.
Bastian eyed Denna’s glass, wishing he had a shot of tequila himself right about now. He placed his palms together and rubbed them. “She had some pressing business at home.”
Denna picked up the glass and took another long drink. “It’s too bad she couldn’t spend the holidays with you.”
Bastian rolled the muscles in his shoulders. “She’s with me, Ms. Renard, just not physically.”
“Still, it is a pity.” Denna arched her eyebrows and fumbled as she placed the glass back on the table, almost dropping it.
“Yeah, I guess it is,” Bastian finally agreed as she turned his attention toward Kaylee.
Denna, too, peered at her daughter, who had lost consciousness and slumped against the seat. Denna jumped up, her trembling hand hovering near her mouth. Bastian touched Kaylee’s face and leaned close so he could feel her breath on his cheek. Come on, Baby. You’ve got to be breathing. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on Kaylee.
Denna shrieked, “Oh, God. Is she all right? Is she breathing?”
As if in response, Kaylee sighed and shifted her position, allowing her neck to rest at a more comfortable angle. Bastian exhaled audibly, kissed her cheek, and straightened.
“She’s fine, Ms. Renard. Just tired. It’s been a long day for her, and I should get her to bed. Thank you again for the picture.” He nodded toward it.
Bastian turned toward Kaylee and shook her shoulder. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, wake up. Time to go home.”
“How long have I been asleep?” Kaylee lifted her arms over her head and stretched before she even opened her eyes.
Standing, Bastian offered his hand. “Long enough to offend your mother with your snoring.”
She grabbed his hand and stood. “I don’t snore.”
Bastian brushed the bangs from her eyes. “And how would you know? You’re asleep when it happens.”
“I just know.” Kaylee slipped the baby book underneath her arm and brushed past him, heading for the coat rack.
“Yeah, well, whatever you say,” Bastian agreed, smiling. “We can stop and get some of those nose thingees on the way home.”
“I heard that,” Kaylee said, coming back into the room holding both their coats. “Thank you for everything, Mother.” She handed Bastian his jacket, and leaned over to give her mother a kiss as Bastian put his coat on.
Denna, nestled in the warmth of her daughter, noticing for the first time just how thin Kaylee had grown. “You’re welcome.”
As Kaylee put on her jacket, Bastian reached out and helped her. “Good night, Mother.”
Denna forced a smiled to her lips. “Good night.”
Bastian took Kaylee’s arm and led her to the front door. Opening it for her, he watched Kaylee step out into darkness. Thick flakes tumbled from the grey heavens, and whiteness collected in Kaylee’s dark mane. As Bastian inhaled, he smelled burning wood from someone’s fireplace.
Denna peered at them for a moment before closing the door. But even after she’d shut it, the expression on her face–a frown with her lips slightly parted–haunted him. He knew grief when he saw it. Sometimes it peered back at him from his own reflection. Kaylee stopped and reached back for him, waiting until he’d slid his hand into hers. Although she tried to step forward, Bastian stopped her. Turning toward him, she smiled and touched his face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.
“I can’t help it. You’re too beautiful. Have I told you lately how lucky I am to have you in my life?” He slipped his arm around her and memorized the way her pale skin glimmered as the moon finally broke free of the clouds, the way her lips turned up into a smile, how her eyes burned with life.
She kissed his chin. “Not lately.”
“I'm the luckiest man in the world.”
Lifting his hand, he stroked the length of her hair, savoring the feel of snowflakes and silk. When he’d reached the ends, he nestled his fingers in the dark strands, comforted.
Chapter Twenty
Bastian and Kaylee walked to the art studio entrance. As snow blew around them in thick flakes, he held open the front door and followed her inside. She glanced at all the Christmas decorations that Rosie had carefully put up, from a tree in the corner to lights in the windows.
“How does your classroom look?” Kaylee asked. “I haven’t been inside since the last time we were here.”
Bastian shrugged. “You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you? It’s been a great place to hide your Christmas presents.”
“My presents?” Kaylee smiled weakly and swayed slightly.
Fearing she might lose her balance, Bastian wrapped his arm around her. “Yeah. Good old St. Nick asked if you’d been good this year. I said, ‘Oh, yeah, baby, has she ever.’” He frowned, wishing she didn’t look so damned pale.
“Well, if it ain’t the two lovebirds.” Rosie stepped from behind her desk.
“In the flesh,” Kaylee replied, embracing her. “But you should be off today. It’s Christmas Eve.”
Patting her back, Rosie replied, “I’m just about out the door, girl. Bastian said he’d be bringing you here today, and I hadn’t had the chance to give you my gift.”
“You didn’t have to get us anything,” Kaylee protested softly.
“I wanted to. Besides, you’ve had five new students sign up in the last two days. Here are their names and phone numbers. I expect you’ll be seeing them Monday.” She pulled out a sheet of paper from her desk.
Bastian arched his eyebrow as he took the list. As he read through the names, he shook his head. “Wow, that tops each class at 30 students. I’m not sure we can add more.”
“We’ll find room if we need to,” Katie argued, leaning against him.
Bastian shrugged. “Hell, I’m not even sure what brought them in.”
“You did.
Rosie’s told me that students are singing your praises up and down. Everyone wants to be in one of your classes.” Kaylee faced him and offered a slight smile.
“Both your presents went together, so I wrapped ‘em together.” Rosie opened one of her desk drawers and handed Kaylee a small red and gold bag.
“You shouldn’t have, but thanks.” Bastian watched Kaylee pluck the gold tissue paper from the bag and pull out two toothbrushes. The pink one had a handle shaped like the torso of a female, and the blue one resembled a male’s lower half.
“Rosie!” Blushing, Kaylee gaped at her friend.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Rosie laughed, clapping her hands.
“But just look at these.” Kaylee pointed the blue toothbrush at her.
Placing one hand on her hip and waggling a finger, Rosie replied, “I did look at ‘em when I bought ‘em. Besides, it don’t say nothin’ in the good book ‘bout what you use to be clean—and there ain’t nothing here you ain’t seen before, up close and personal.”
Bastian took the toothbrushes. “That’s true,” Bastian said, examining the blue one. “They’re even anatomically correct, unlike Barbie and Ken—although it does give new meaning to the term ‘oral sex.’”
“Give me those!” The flush lining Kaylee’s cheeks deepened, and she jerked the brushes from Bastian and put them back in the bag.
“Don’t be so grabby, woman.” Bastian shook his finger at her.
“Careful, there. She might be grabby in those ‘anatomically correct places you mentioned.” Rosie admonished, walking behind her desk.
Bastian smiled. “Oh, no--don’t touch me privates.”
Kaylee’s eyes widened, and she focused on shoving the tissue back into the bag.
Rosie said, “You’d best handle his privates in private. It ain’t that kind of studio you’re running here.”
Kaylee shook her head. “I’ll consider that. Remind me never to get the two of you together again.”
Bastian winked at Rosie as she on her coat. He took the bag and wrapped his arm around Kaylee. “I’ll do that, my dear.” Now why don’t we go take a tour of the studio?”
When Angels Cry Page 20