by Floyd, Susan
“It wasn’t that.” Brady tried to make up for laughing, though she wasn’t really offended. “I just—”
A few minutes ago, before she smiled, he’d been thinking about this arrangement in a purely clinical way. She wasn’t his type. Usually, he favored easygoing and uncomplicated women. While she might fit the first part, she definitely didn’t fit the second. Yet, that smile and those deep brown eyes of hers had somehow managed to grab his heart.
He changed the subject. “I’ll do the shopping and the cooking and watch the girls after school until we all get settled in.”
She frowned. “I don’t even know you.”
He laughed. “Don’t you think we’ve been through enough to make up for a couple of years of getting to know each other?” Then he continued, all lightness gone, “I can’t let them go to Social Services. Even if they let me take the girls, and I found another place for all of us to stay, they would be starting a different school in the middle of the year. They like you. Please help us.”
Brady watched Dana battle something inside her. If she thought she’d masked her inner turmoil, she was mistaken. But a moment later she nodded and said, “Okay.”
“Okay? What does okay mean?”
“Okay, you can stay here. Okay, I’ll marry you on Friday. You’ll fix it with your friends so we’re not breaking any laws?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s done.” She was nodding again, almost as if she was convincing herself that she was doing the right thing. For a moment they just looked at each other, then she leaned forward to kiss him lightly on the lips.
Before he could respond, she pulled away and stood up, saying briskly, “Don’t you need to get back?”
Brady exhaled in relief. “Yes. And, Dana, thank you.”
But she was already halfway down the hall.
CHAPTER SIX
DANA SCROUNGED AROUND in the freezer for something that resembled a dinner. Karen again picked at her food, but Dana didn’t press her. After the dishes were done, she sent the three girls into the tub. Considering the day they’d had, she was surprised but very pleased to hear playful splashing after a while.
She felt a curious sense of anticipation, almost as if she was looking forward to this new path her life was taking. But she knew she was being ridiculous. Didn’t she ever learn? She had to use this situation, this marriage, as a test, an exercise to prove she could keep duty and emotion separate. These weren’t her girls. And their uncle was just a nice man she was helping out. That’s all. It wasn’t as if she liked him or anything. Her face grew warm at the memory of how it had felt to put her arms around his waist and rest her head on his back.
“Silly.” She shook her head. She was too old to start doing this kind of speculating, way too old. The trouble was she did like him. She liked the fact he was willing to marry a stranger to help the girls. And that he was careful and precise and listened to her. She liked the way he looked at her as if she was actually pretty. And there was no denying she liked the fact he’d kissed her. Granted, it had been a brotherly, affectionate kind of kiss, not one of grand passion, but it had still managed to send shivers down her spine.
There was a sharp rap on the front door and by the time she got there, Brady was already poking his head in.
“Don’t you ever lock this door?” he asked as he walked in, holding a paper bag.
“Is that all you have?” Dana asked.
He shrugged. “This is all I need for tonight.” He reached in and pulled out a brand-new toothbrush, razors and deodorant.
“I have extras. You didn’t have to buy them.”
“Don’t want to impose. I’ll get the rest of my stuff tomorrow.”
Dana didn’t know where he’d put the “rest” or even how much that was. She looked around the living room for a nook where he’d be able to stash his belongings. “Would that corner be okay for your things?” she offered.
He nodded.
Karen came out of the bathroom wearing one of Dana’s old T-shirts that hung past her knees. Jean and Ollie followed her out, having to pick up their T-shirts to avoid tripping over the hems.
“What’s he doing here?”
Dana was oddly embarrassed by Karen’s question. “He’s going to help take care of you,” she explained.
“He can’t stay.” Karen was appalled.
“Well, he is.” And Dana was very glad that he was.
“But—”
“But?” Dana asked.
“He’s a boy,” Karen said in a scandalized whisper.
“I know that.”
“We’re girls. We don’t want boys living with us.”
“He’s different.”
“He can’t see us, you know—” She jerked her head toward the bathroom.
“I’ll be in charge of all the baths.”
Karen nodded, but didn’t look convinced. With one last glance at Brady, she motioned to her sisters and hustled into the bedroom.
“It’s good to know that I have the ability to chase away small girls,” he said dryly.
“They’ll get used to you. They’re probably not used to men,” Dana said. “Do you need anything?”
He shook his head. “I tell you. I travel light.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. Then they both laughed. “Now what?” she asked.
“Does the television work?” He pointed to it.
Dana stared at the set in her living room. “Yes, it does. I don’t watch too much, but feel free. I keep the remote here.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
“We’re going to have to tell the girls.”
“About?” He sat down on the couch and rested his head against it, holding the remote, but not turning on the television.
“About us getting married.”
He nodded. “Tomorrow is soon enough, don’t you think?”
Dana perched on the arm of the couch. “Yes. If you’re hungry, there’s stuff in the freezer or canned goods under the counter. The fridge is pretty bare, though.”
He nodded again, but Dana realized that he was studying her with great intent.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
“No.”
“What then?”
“Nothing. I was just wondering what kind of woman marries a man she doesn’t love.”
“A crazy one,” Dana said. “We probably shouldn’t talk about it, because I’ll get a case of the jitters and back out.”
He reached out and caught her hand, then tugged to indicate that he wanted her to sit next to him. Dana complied, finding that her heart had lodged in her throat. They gazed at each other for a long time. With his right hand, Brady traced her hairline. “Why is it we haven’t met before this?” he mused, his voice husky.
“I work too hard to meet anyone,” she said. Her nerves were on fire wherever he touched her. After a moment, he put his hand behind her neck and slowly urged her closer until his lips were on hers.
Dana felt herself sink into him, sure that if she pulled away, he would let her go. But she was also sure that if she deepened the kiss, he wouldn’t mind. She chose to deepen the kiss and wasn’t disappointed. Even as he pressed her back against the couch Dana felt as if this was what she was made for.
All too soon he was pulling away, a smile on his face. Dana moaned in protest. “Why are you stopping?” She needed the kiss, wanted the contact.
“It’s been a long day. I’m afraid that if I go farther, I wouldn’t want to stop.”
She tilted her head. “I don’t think I would object.”
“If we’re really going to be married on Friday, we can wait. Besides, if we do this, I want you to be very sure. After this is over, I don’t want you to be hurt.”
“After this is over?” She swallowed hard.
He nodded. “You know, when I have everything together and can care for the girls by myself.”
Dana looked away, feeling a sharp stab in her stomach.
“And what if I don’t want to have it annulled?” she asked, her tone light. “What if I fall in love with you and the girls and we find that we make this the perfect family?”
Brady was silent. Then he shook his head. “The odds of that happening are very slim.”
“Why?”
“We don’t even know each other. You may find that in two weeks you can’t stand the sight of me.”
His answer wasn’t satisfying. How could he kiss her like that and not know her?
“Well, we can figure all this out later.”
“Dana, I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you.”
Dana got up. “You haven’t disappointed me. Not at all.” But she was lying.
IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG for Dana to prepare for bed. She checked on the girls and was glad to see they were asleep. She knew they were very, very tired. Unfortunately, sleep was far more elusive for her. She lay awake, eyes wide open, hearing every move Brady made. First he went into the kitchen for some water, then he went down the hall and out the door. She counted to one hundred and forty-five before he came back.
It was odd knowing there were four other people in her house. She’d slept alone here every night since she’d moved in. Maybe that was why she was having so much trouble sleeping. She concentrated on her breathing, but within seconds her mind was wandering to the kiss they’d shared on the couch. He could talk about her hating him after two weeks, but she knew that wasn’t going happen. Was she insane to marry him? It would help the girls and help Brady. But what about her? Somehow she knew when this was all over, there’d be no one around to help her.
THE NEXT MORNING, Dana awoke to her alarm. She peered at the clock. It said five-twenty. She groaned and rolled over. It was Sunday. She didn’t have to get up. But try as she did to go back to sleep, she couldn’t. Her mind had become fixated on the kiss. What had possessed her? To touch Brady Moore was bolder than anything she’d ever thought herself capable of. And then to kiss him…
After a half hour, she finally got out of bed and pulled on her robe.
Brady slept on his back with one arm slung over his face and one foot planted on the floor—as if even in sleep he would be able to leap up at a moment’s notice. As quietly as she could, Dana put water on for tea. When she turned around again, Brady was sitting up, his face in his hands.
“Good morning!” Dana greeted, her voice sounding a little too loud.
He winced.
“Sorry,” she said much more quietly.
He waved off her apology. “I’m not a morning person. It takes me about an hour to get started.” His voice rumbled out of his chest, all gravelly again. “It’s probably why I take the night shift. What time is it?” He squinted at his watch.
“About six.”
“In the morning?” He yawned again, and then fell back on the couch. “Are you always this cheerful in the morning?”
Dana grinned. “Yep. Would coffee help?”
“Coffee will save my life.”
“Coming up.”
“Thanks,” he grunted, standing up and reaching for his shirt.
Dana ducked her head. Even unshaven, Brady Moore had a powerful presence. “Did you sleep okay?” Her question was muffled.
“Yes, the couch is plenty comfortable.”
“Maybe for a night or two, but for a longer period of time…” She ventured a look up, relieved to see he’d put on his shirt. Not that a shirt made him any less attractive.
“Are you offering me different sleeping accommodations?” he inquired, raising a dark eyebrow.
“No!” popped out so fast that Dana covered her mouth in shock. “I was just worried about your back.”
“My back and I are fine. But what about you? You’re still okay with this, right? Tomorrow, I’m going to get a lawyer and make the final arrangements for the ceremony.” As he spoke, Brady came into the kitchen. Not seeming to notice that she wasn’t responding, he leaned over her to get a cup from the cabinet. It took all of Dana’s will-power to prevent herself from burying her face in his soft cotton shirt.
“You’ll be ready to get married Friday, right?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it.” It was a complete lie, of course. She’d fallen asleep thinking about it and woken up thinking about it.
“Good.” He looked at the clock. “I’ll start something for breakfast, you wake up the girls.”
He gave her a gentle nudge in the direction of the hall.
If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he was considering giving her a peck on the lips. She touched them, feeling as if he had.
As Dana went to wake up the girls, she could hear Brady clattering around in the kitchen. She didn’t know if she had anything that even resembled breakfast food, let alone enough to feed five people. The girls rose with energy Dana envied. While she was still trying to figure out what day it was, they hopped around the living room in her T-shirts, before settling down to watch a half hour of cartoons.
The scene that greeted Dana after her shower was so normal-looking she actually had to remind herself that nothing about this situation was normal. And that it was temporary. Temporary was the key word. They would get married and when Brady found a place to accommodate all three girls, they would leave. And where would she be? Teaching, grading papers and filling out forms.
At the table, Brady seemed surprisingly relaxed, given that in the time it had taken her to wake the girls, take a shower and dress, he’d made waffles, sausage and scrambled eggs. Orange juice was in five mismatched cups.
“Wow,” she said. “I didn’t even know I had a waffle iron.”
“It was way in the back of the cupboard,” he said. “I was scoping through your stuff and saw it.”
“Sausage?”
“Freezer.”
Dim memories of a parent giving her bulk sausage from their farm last Christmas surfaced. “You’re magic.”
He looked pleased with himself and called the girls to the table. Compared to the meals that she’d fixed, this was a culinary masterpiece. Brady not only served, but focused special attention on each girl. Jean and Ollie beamed, becoming all smiles and giggles. Karen, however, was subdued as she poured a modest amount of syrup on her waffle and then used her fork to distribute the syrup into each little crater.
“It’s okay to be sad, Karen,” Dana said, covering the girl’s hand with her own.
“I just can’t believe she did that. Why would she hurt herself?”
Dana and Brady exchanged glances.
Brady finally broached the difficult subject. “We don’t know for sure that she did, do we?”
Karen stared at her plate for a moment, then looked up and shook her head. Dana could tell Karen wanted to say something else, but didn’t know where to start. Brady must have noticed, too, because suddenly he asked, “Do you know why she would do something like that?”
Tears started to roll down Karen’s face, making Jean and Ollie stop eating. Murmuring soothing words, Dana pulled Karen into her arms and let her cry.
“M-mon-ey,” Karen finally got out when she could talk again.
“Money?” Dana asked, her voice calm. “What does money have to do with it?”
“She said we were expensive and that’s why she was in so much debt.”
Brady remained silent, obviously aware that Karen responded better to Dana’s gentle probing. “Your mom was in debt?”
Karen nodded, miserable. “A while ago I heard her talking on the phone. But then she stopped answering it. It would ring and ring and ring all the time. Finally she made me pick it up and tell the people that she wasn’t home.”
“She liked cards,” Ollie told them.
Karen shot a furious look at Ollie. “That’s a secret.”
“How can cards be a secret?” Dana asked, knowing that Brady would want her to follow this thread.
With big, sad eyes, Ollie said, “I forgot. We weren’t supposed to tell.”
Karen seemed to forgive her sister, because she sighed and began to explain. “You know. They were card games that she played on the Internet. She’s not going to get into more trouble, is she?”
“I don’t think so. I think that your mom’s troubles are finally over,” Dana said.
“What’s going to happen to us? Are we going to have to go to an orphanage?” Karen asked.
“Not if we can help it,” Brady said at last.
“Are you going to take us?” Karen looked hopeful.
“In a way. Actually we both are.”
“Both of you?” Ollie stood up in her chair and leaned forward.
“Sit down, Ollie,” Dana said automatically, putting a hand out to steady her as she sat back down. “Yes, both of us. We’re going to get married on Friday, so you can stay here until your Uncle Brady finds a place for all of you to live.”
Karen’s eyes went wide and then filled with tears. In an attempt to soothe her, Dana said, “I know this is all happening very fast. But we’re not going to try to be your mom and dad.”
Karen shook her head. “I used to pray that you’d be our mother. You were always so nice to us. I loved my momma but she didn’t love us back.”
Dana didn’t know what to say. This sweet girl was giving so much of herself, but Dana couldn’t do the same. Brady kept telling her this was only temporary. If she gave her love to these children and then had to watch them walk away, she might never recover. But how was she ever going to resist these three girls.
BRADY SAT in the gray room with gray walls and gray floors. Slivers of sunlight passed through a row of narrow windows large enough to let in light but not big enough for even a child to squeeze through. Brady scrubbed a hand across his face. He’d hardly slept in the past forty-eight hours and he had what felt like the world’s biggest hangover, without even the memory of a good party to make him feel better. He tried to shift back into a more comfortable position only to be reminded that the utilitarian chair was bolted to the floor, as was the steel table. This might be a minimum-security prison, but it was still a prison.