Three Hearts

by Susan Perkins

  "Let me carry those for you." Travis took the salad bowls Darcy had picked up on her way through the kitchen. "Here, you take the wine."

  Travis offered her the bottle he'd purchased on the way over. He felt so nervous at meeting Brooke he couldn't put his arm casually around Darcy to keep up the boyfriend pretence. The nervousness and his body's reaction to her would make him act like a total idiot.

  Darcy led the way out onto the low deck which joined the house and garden. Immediately below the deck, Brooke stood at the brick barbecue carefully using long handled tongs to turn the sausages to ensure they cooked evenly.

  "Brooke, there's someone here I'd like you to meet." Darcy placed the cutlery on the table on the deck. "This is my friend, Travis Denton. Travis, this is my niece, Brooke."

  Travis kept his eyes fixed on his daughter and Darcy had to nudge him to remind him to respond.

  "Hi, Brooke. Nice to meet you." Fortunately, he managed to stop himself from saying at last.

  "Hello." Brooke glanced at her aunt. "Is Phil coming too, or is this the guest you were talking about?"

  "No this is my guest," Darcy assured her. "Travis and I have been seeing one another and I thought it was about time you met him."

  Travis noticed the truth in Darcy's words. She hadn't told any lies. They had been meeting for a short while to sort out Brooke's parentage, and it was time he met the child. He presumed lying was something neither Darcy nor Brooke approved of and he tried to stay within this framework.

  "Actually I asked to meet you." He swallowed nervously. The solemn faced child reminded him so much of her mother. "Your aunt talks about you all the time and she made you sound really nice, so I wangled an invitation to your barbecue. I hope you don't mind."

  "No, that's okay." Brooke seemed to have reservations about his friendship with her aunt, but curiosity about him won out as she started to ask him questions. "You're an American, aren't you? Which state do you come from?"

  "California," he said promptly. "I live in San Diego. It's down the coast from Los Angeles."

  "Near Disneyland?" Brooke's eyes glittered with excitement. "Darcy said one day she'd take me to Disneyland, but we have to save up the money first."

  "San Diego isn't particularly close to Disneyland, but near enough for a weekend visit." Travis was delighted. He'd be able to take his daughter there after he'd persuaded Darcy to let her come to America. "Do you know I haven't been to Disneyland since I was your age? How about we make a date that I come with you on your first visit? I'd be able to show you around and take you on the best rides."

  "I'd like that." Brooke flashed a friendly grin at him, but this quickly turned to a frown. "You're the man at the ice cream van, aren't you?"

  "Was that you?" Travis feigned surprise. "Where was Darcy?"

  "I was by the car. I only saw the back of your head so didn't realize it was you."

  The doorbell rang and Brooke rushed into the kitchen. "I'll get it!" she yelled over her shoulder.

  "That will be Minnie," Darcy explained. "Brooke insisted we invite her, but I said she couldn't come until just before seven as I had somebody I wanted Brooke to meet first."

  THERE WAS GREAT HILARITY from the two adults and children as the food was dished out and drinks poured. The girls took their meal down to the play area at the bottom of the garden, whilst the adults sat at the table on the sun deck. They talked about general topics as they ate, but once the plates were empty and they were lingering over their wine, the talk turned to Brooke.

  "What do you think of her?" Darcy asked curiously.

  "She's great. You've done a marvellous job with her. She seems a happy and well-balanced child. I didn't realize how much like her mother she is, though."

  "She has your colouring." Darcy watched her niece's dark golden head bending next to Minnie's curly blond one as they examined something on the ground.

  Turning to look at Travis, Darcy realized for once, they were in accord. They smiled gently at one another then looked back at the two girls.

  Darcy was surprised at how nice Travis appeared when he wasn't being sarcastic. True, he seemed to be going to great pains to avoid touching her, but this relieved rather than annoyed her. Every time he brushed against her, the same tingling, hot sensation raced across her skin, and a flush flooded her face.

  Is anger causing my reaction? Watching Travis as he leaned forward and watched Brooke at play, she managed to get her first long look at him. She'd always felt disadvantaged by the dislike in his eyes and the sarcasm in his voice, but now his face was vulnerable as he watched his daughter, eagerly taking in every movement she made, every childish shout of laughter.

  The warmth in his eyes touched his lips which curved in a smile of happiness. Darcy was reminded of her first sight of him in Mr. Case's office and how handsome she'd thought him. She'd been right. His grey eyes, soft now as they watched Brooke, were set beneath dark, strong eyebrows. His nose, straight and perfect, hovered above firm lips. Lips she longed to feel on hers once more.

  Ruthlessly Darcy forced these thoughts from her mind. She and Travis had enough problems to solve without the added confusion of an affair. By the time he looked her way again, Darcy had regained control of her emotions and returned his friendly smile with one of her own.

  Minnie's mother came to collect her and Brooke went to the door to wave goodbye to her friend.

  "I think maybe it's time you left," Darcy murmured to Travis.

  "Why? Won't Brooke think it strange if I leave so early?" He had that determined look on his face again and Darcy sighed.

  "No. If you remain, then she'll want to stay up longer. Don't rush it, Travis. Let her get used to you before you start pushing the boundaries."

  "What are you two talking about?" Brooke wandered back into the kitchen.

  "Travis was just saying he had an early start in the morning so he has to go," Darcy explained before Travis upset her plans.

  "Oh. Okay." Brooke wandered off towards the living room. "Can I watch TV for a while before I go to bed?"

  "Half an hour. No longer. Say goodnight to Travis."

  "'Night, Travis."

  "Goodnight, Brooke." Darcy saw Travis' eyes follow Brooke as she left the room. "I'll see you over the weekend."

  He turned towards the front door, but as Brooke waved goodbye, he grabbed Darcy and gave her a bruising kiss. She was so stunned by his action that he was already through the front door before she said a word.

  "Oh, yuck." Brooke wrinkled her nose, then her attention was caught by something on the television screen.

  As she tucked Brooke into bed, Darcy simply had to ask, "Well, Brooke, what do you think of him?"

  "Who? Oh, Mr. Denton. He's okay I guess." Brooke's eyelids drooped as she snuggled under the duvet. "Does he have to do that yucky stuff though?"

  "Are you talking about kissing?" Darcy asked, then laughed.

  "Yeah, the yucky stuff."

  "Do you think he's nicer than Phil?" Darcy asked.

  "Mmm. Lots nicer."

  Darcy gave her sleepy niece one last kiss on the forehead, then switched off the light and left the room. As she tidied up the kitchen, she strengthened her resolve. Travis Denton's kisses might send her into a quivering heap, but under the circumstances, she definitely couldn't become involved with him.

  Chapter Four

  Travis arrived immediately after lunch on Saturday, eager to take advantage of the sunny weather.

  "Any idea what you ladies would like to do this afternoon, or shall I choose?" He faced Darcy, but she knew he was waiting to see how Brooke reacted.

  "I can't think of anything in particular. How about you, Brooke?"

  "Minnie's coming around this afternoon. Don't you remember, Darcy, she's staying the night? You said we'd have takeaways and go to a movie afterwards." Brooke looked accusingly at Darcy, daring her to say she'd forgotten the outing and suggest a postponement.

  "Sorry, it slipped my mind. Would you like to join us, Tr
avis?" She looked at the tall man in his designer jeans and expensive brand name tee-shirt, and wondered how he would like spending the afternoon and evening with two eight-year-old girls.

  "Sounds fine to me." Travis grinned at her. Darcy blinked in surprise at his immediate acceptance of the situation. She'd been sure he would make some excuse and try to make them alter their plans. "It's early yet, so how do we spend the rest of the afternoon?"

  "Weekends, Minnie and Brooke usually play while I tidy up the garden, but shall we do something different today?"

  "You can't!" Brooke protested loudly. "Minnie and I have everything planned for this afternoon. You can't change it just because you've decided to do something else."

  "She's right, you know." Travis' face did not betray his feelings, but deep in his eyes, Darcy recognised bitter disappointment. "Maybe I could help you with the gardening?"

  "That would be nice. There are a few high branches which need trimming, and I can't reach them. Brooke, that sounds like Minnie. You'd better let her in." Brooke raced off to answer the doorbell. When the girls reappeared they raced through the kitchen and vanished to the bottom of the garden.

  "Thanks for being so understanding," Darcy said when the eight-year olds were out of earshot. "I'm sorry if Brooke sounded rude, but I try not to go back on my word when I've promised her something."

  "That's okay. I think keeping your word and telling the truth are good things. It strengthens the trust between you and I'm all for that. I've never believed children should do as they're told without explanation. Now, if you'll show me where the ladder is, we can attack the tree." Travis smiled, but his gaze strayed to the bottom of the garden.

  Darcy pointed out the offending branches. She held the ladder firmly against the trunk as he climbed up with the tree saw in his hand.

  His jean clad legs rose past her face and she noted every movement of his thigh muscles as they flexed and relaxed while he mounted the ladder. The moulding of the tight denim around his rear set her pulses racing, and the blood pounded through her veins forcing a sudden rush of heat to her face and body. Her hands itched to reach up and touch the temptation swaying sensuously above her head as Travis wielded the saw. A scream of laughter from the girls brought her to her senses and she forced herself to look at the ground.

  Branches rained around her as Travis trimmed the tree until it looked a lot neater. Darcy risked another peek when he descended the ladder, but she blushed and lowered her face as he jumped the last few rungs to the ground. Grinning, his eyes twinkled with amusement, and Darcy's flush deepened as she realized he'd seen her looking at him.

  "Would you like a cool drink?" The words rushed from her mouth as she tried to conceal her embarrassment.

  "Do you girls want a drink?" She tried to divert attention from herself. Brooke and Minnie whooped in delight and rushed up the garden. Within moments, they'd gone again, each carrying a can of soft drink and a bag of lollies.

  "They never stop, do they?" Travis commented, his gaze lingering on Brooke's disappearing form.

  "Only when they're asleep, but their minds keep going all night so when morning comes, they spend all day chattering about their dreams. You get used to it after a while."

  Working in harmony, they moved round the garden, trimming other overgrown shrubs, and Darcy's pulse quickened each time she caught another glimpse of his superb physique.

  "I think we've done enough for today." She pushed the damp hair from her forehead as Travis walked towards her after he'd dumped the last load of rubbish onto the compost heap. Her face, already red with the hot sunlight flooding the garden, deepened in colour as she realized the damp tee-shirt clinging to her body revealed every curve of her breasts each time she moved. Turning quickly she led the way into the kitchen. "We should round up the girls and get some food. Otherwise, we'll be late for the film."

  "Why don't I treat you all to McDonald's or Burger King?" Travis suggested.

  Darcy didn't want to be beholden to him, and opened her mouth to politely refuse, but she didn't have a chance to say a word.

  "Yes!" Brooke and Minnie yelled from behind them. She hadn't heard them come in from the garden.

  "Seems like I'm outvoted." She accepted the inevitable. "Now scoot, you two. If you want to go out to eat, you'd better tidy yourselves up."

  The girls rushed off to the main bathroom and Darcy excused herself to attend to her own needs. Fresh from her en-suite shower, she changed into a bright red print dress, with a scoop neck and long, flared skirt. Emerging from her bedroom, she saw Travis standing in front of the kitchen mirror, trying to tidy up his dishevelled appearance.

  "Would you like to freshen up? Have a shower maybe?"

  "Thanks, that would be great." Travis seemed pleased at her suggestion. "I need it after all the tree climbing I've done today."

  The girls had finished in the bathroom and were now in Brooke's room giggling over which clothes to wear. Darcy quickly checked the main bathroom for tidiness and put out fresh towels, then left Travis to clean up. When he returned to the kitchen, her heart somersaulted at the sight of his damp hair curling sensuously over the top of his open shirt. Desperately she tried to control the tremors running through her body.

  "Brooke! Minnie! Get a move on, or we'll miss the start of the film."

  Darcy wondered if the attraction she felt for this man was due to the lack of males in her life. She would have to keep reminding herself he was the man who could take Brooke away from her, and this put him off limits both now and in future.

  The afternoon had been pleasant, with no angry clashes and Darcy wondered how Travis had gone from enemy to friend in such a short time. Maybe she'd made things too easy for him. That would have to change. Until they knew the truth, Travis would have to be kept at a distance.

  The girls voted to go to Burger King, the takeaway nearest to the movie house. Although Darcy and Travis ate sparingly, Brooke and her friend tucked into burgers, fries and soft drinks.

  "Which movie are we going to see?" Travis asked the girls as they finished their meal.

  "The new Disney film!" Brooke and Minnie shouted loudly and Darcy shushed them when other diners turned to look in their direction.

  "We'd better get moving, girls." Travis stood aside to allow Darcy to pass. She brushed against him as she left the booth and the familiar tingling shot up her arm. Feeling cross at her reaction, she quickly edged past him taking great care not to touch him again.

  In the cinema, Travis insisted on paying for the tickets, popcorn and soft drinks, and this irritated Darcy. The original outing had been her idea, Travis joining them merely a way to keep everyone happy. The more she thought about it, the more her annoyance grew. He should have let her pay for the girls, but no — he had to be macho man and take over. If this was an indication of his personality, she'd better be careful. If the test results went in his favour, he'd totally ignore her wishes and insist on telling Brooke immediately. What Darcy found hard to figure out was how she found him so infuriating one minute, and so nice the next.

  Brooke and Minnie hurried to sit in the row in front of them, where they whispered to one another without being overheard. Darcy was used to them doing this, but Travis demanded they all sit together.

  "We should be in the same row," he argued. "It's much safer if the girls sit between us."

  "Nonsense." Darcy smugly asserted her own authority. "They'll be fine. We're sitting right behind them."

  Reluctantly, Travis gave in and waited until Darcy chose her seat, then sat next to her. The film started and the girls stared speechlessly at the screen, completely wrapped up in the story unfolding before them.

  Darcy also enjoyed the film, but sitting close to Travis in the dark intimacy of the cinema made her nervous. Belatedly she thought it might have been better if the girls had sat between them, but this would have meant dealing with an irate Brooke.

  She reached out for more popcorn from the tub sitting between them and her hand brushed
against Travis' as he reached in at the same time. She jumped at the contact, nearly upsetting the tub.

  "Sorry." His voice was low. "You go first."

  Darcy quickly grabbed a handful of popcorn and settled in her seat as far away from him as possible. Annoyed that he seemed unconcerned by her behaviour, Darcy glanced quickly at him in the gloom. He wasn't looking at her. His concentration was fixed partly on the film and mostly on Brooke.

  After some time, she started to relax, but froze as Travis' arm crept across the back of her seat. She turned to him, intending to remind him they were only pretending to date, but his gaze locked with hers then flicked towards the row in front. The girls were watching them, and Darcy realized Travis was only trying to keep in character.

  "Thanks," she whispered when the girls giggled and turned back to the film. "I didn't know they were looking."

  In the light from the screen, she saw him grin, but he didn't remove his arm and gradually the uncomfortable feeling subsided leaving Darcy with a warm sense of safety, even though she knew it wasn't real.

  When the lights went up at the end of the film, he removed his arm, leaving a sudden coolness in its wake. Darcy felt irritated. She really must find a way to keep more aloof from Travis while at the same time keeping up the impression they were a couple. Allowing him to spend time with Brooke didn't mean that she needed to get to know him intimately.

  The girls were tired, and Darcy shooed them off to bed as soon as they got home.

  "Would you like a coffee?" She filled the jug with water.

  "Yes, please." He looked at her thoughtfully. "Darcy, I think we need to talk about Brooke."

  "What about her?" Darcy switched on the jug and put coffee mugs on the bench.

  "I don't agree about the way you deal with some situations. For instance, at the movies. I was only thinking of the girls' safety."

  "And you think I wasn't? That's what this conversation is about, isn't it? You're still trying to prove I'm not a suitable person to have custody of Brooke." Darcy poured the hot water onto the coffee, inadvertently splashing her hand when anger made her careless. "Damn!"