Her warm smile reached her eyes, and he found his gaze lingering.
“Oh, I like that new title,” she said. “But beware, I’m tough.”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Dan replied, then wanted to cut his tongue out. Sexual banter wasn’t part of the deal. He waited for her reaction, but she didn’t pick up on the remark. On purpose or not?
“Four months ago,” Alexis said, taking the baby from him, “I needed a coach myself. Roz came in handy.”
“It must have been tough…with everything else.”
She nodded. “There was no one else to help. I don’t have a relationship with my parents. Cal’s been an alcoholic all his adult life, and Peggy’s an enabler. Sherri and I got out as soon as possible.”
“Speaking of which,” he said, “there’s no alcohol in the house anymore.”
Her gaze jumped to his and held.
“You saw me at my worst,” he continued, confident in the truth of every word, “so, if you’re concerned at all, you don’t have to be. I’m done with it.”
She touched him, and his arm burned. “After watching you play, and getting to know you better, it’s barely entered my mind lately,” she said in a quiet tone. “But frankly, if there’s any hint of alcohol use, then neither Michelle nor I can count on being safe with you.”
She moved slightly, her hand dropping to her side. His skin cooled immediately; he preferred the heat. “Michelle not being safe is unacceptable—at any price,” she added.
“I agree. And I appreciate your trust.”
“Oh, you’re still earning that, but you get points for trying to be a good daddy.”
Her green eyes seared his. “I’m familiar with the empty promises of alcoholics, with their rationalizations and their blaming others for everything wrong in their lives. I’ve seen the damage caused by their out-of-control behavior. If you’ve got a real problem, Dan, I’ll know about it, and I’ll be able to protect Michelle.” She waved her arm, lightening the atmosphere. “I’m known to be a pretty good judge of character, and my money’s on you. Just don’t prove me wrong this time.”
THE NEXT MORNING, ALEXIS watched in amazement as Dan built his breakfast in a soup bowl. Two types of multigrain cereal, fresh blueberries, a sliced banana, a half-dozen strawberries and an avalanche of milk. The man needed a tureen, not a bowl.
He raised his head. “What’s the matter?”
“Uh, nothing. It’s a colorful volcano…for about three people.”
Grinning, he pushed the bowl toward her. “Help yourself.”
“Eat up. Michelle needs a healthy daddy.”
It was almost nine o’clock, and her morning had been filled with Michelle-centered activities, including laundry—which hadn’t been done since the baby moved in last Thursday. The elevator had proved handy for getting to the machines in the basement.
“Maria should be here any minute. I want to introduce you before I leave.”
“The kitchen person?”
“Just call her General. We do. She stayed here a lot when Kim was sick, acting like a general at a command center, and now she comes in two mornings a week. She orders groceries, prepares and freezes dinners for me. Just write down what you want and she’ll add it to the list. No problem.”
“I don’t want to cause the woman more work. I’ll shop for myself.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She uses my credit card and mostly shops online. The stuff is delivered. There’s no extra work.”
Alexis simply stared at him. “Wow. I guess the rich really are different.”
Dan leaned back in his chair. “We bleed red, just like the rest of humanity. Get used to it, because I’m giving you card access, as well. You buy whatever you think Michelle needs for now. When the season’s over, I’ll have more time—”
The sound of the doorbell was followed by a woman’s voice calling Dan’s name. Footsteps approached and Maria Sanchez entered the kitchen, took one look at Alexis and made the sign of the cross.
“Madre de Dios,” she said, grabbing onto a chair back.
“Here we go again,” mumbled Alexis. “I swear I’m going blonde and getting a haircut.”
“No, don’t do that,” Dan said, quickly going to Maria. “I like you just the way you are.”
Why did that remark make her feel so good? She watched him lean over and explain her presence to Maria, saw that words weren’t necessary after the woman spotted Michelle. Joy radiated from every part of her.
“Such a beautiful baby! Señor Daniel, now you get happy again. No?”
He hugged her, then stood up, dwarfing the five-foot-zero-inch woman. “Yes, Maria. I’ll be happy again.” But his gaze traveled to Alexis, and he inclined his head.
His salute of thanks was easy to read, and she nodded in return. Maybe, just maybe, contacting Dan had been the smartest move she’d ever made.
Now, Dan pointed at Alexis and then at a sheet of paper on the table. “I made of list of phone numbers—my folks, the store, the cell numbers, Joe’s, Theresa’s, my coach, Gillette Stadium…In an emergency, you call any of them. Or my friend, Andy Romano. You’ve met him.”
She loved it when he tried so hard, loved it because he reinforced her decision to contact him. She’d done the right thing. “I know half the cops in the city. In a real emergency, we’re covered,” she told him. “Relax. Go to work. Knock yourself out…ooh, not really.”
“Enough with the jokes,” he said, grinning. “I’m trying to tell you both something. Something important.”
Alexis glanced at Maria and shrugged. The woman shrugged back.
“Management’s moving forward,” said Dan. “Thursday’s paper will contain a small paragraph about Michelle being my daughter. We have no choice but to break the news, or the tabloids will catch on sooner or later and turn the story on its head.”
He was right. This wasn’t a joke. Alexis’s muscles tightened, tension filled her. “What are you expecting afterward? A load of paparazzi on the doorstep?”
“Hopefully not, but you never know what the gossip rags will do. We have a good rapport with the mainstream media, so I’m not concerned about them. Just don’t open the door to anyone for a couple of days after the article appears.”
“Not a problem. Michelle and I will take some nice long walks today and tomorrow. Maybe we’ll go to the Public Gardens.”
“Make way for ducklings,” sang Dan, with an envious smile.
He looked as though he wanted to join them, and Alexis squeezed his hand. “When the season’s over, Danny, you’ll have time for walks, you’ll have the baby all to yourself and the ducklings will make way for you!”
He seemed surprised, as though he’d forgotten about later on. “I will, won’t I?” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, grabbed his gym bag and left for the stadium.
“He’s a good man, my Señor Daniel, no?” Maria asked, not hiding her curiosity.
“He’s a good man, Maria, but get that look out of your eye. He’s Kim’s man, not mine. And besides, I don’t want to live in Manderley.”
The woman frowned.
“I meant, this is also Kim’s house. Her presence is everywhere. I’m only a visitor, Michelle’s aunt. La tia Alexis. And that’s all.”
Maria shook her head, broke into a babble of Spanish that Alexis couldn’t follow and began taking an inventory of the fridge.
Alexis took the baby and made her escape.
THE BOSTON GLOBE—SPORTS
Thursday, November 1
QUARTERBACK DAN DELITO FATHER OF BABY GIRL
After proving paternity through DNA testing, Dan Delito was granted full custody of a baby girl through the probate court last week. The baby’s mother is deceased, a victim of foul play, according to police reports. “No one can take the place of a mother,” said Delito. “But my daughter will be surrounded by a big, loving family with lots of cousins to play with.”
SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, already dressed for the day, Alexis folded bac
k the morning paper and circled the article. If Dan hadn’t alerted her in advance, she would have missed the story. It was a short piece buried at the bottom of the NFL page.
She sensed Dan behind her and pointed it out. “I almost didn’t see it. Maybe no one else will, either.”
“Fat chance.” He began assembling his morning feast.
Maria hustled over—Tuesday and Thursday were her days—and Alexis showed it to her. “Have you seen this yet?”
“Si. I always read futbol news.” The woman shrugged. “The beautiful baby is here. Is Dan’s and that’s good.” But her voice seemed unsure, and Alexis probed.
“What’s the matter, Maria?”
The woman waved toward the front of the house. “I have fear.”
Dan rose from his seat. “You’re safe here, Maria.”
“Hay caramba!” The housekeeper turned to Alexis. “Just like last time with Mrs. Kim. People, writers, photographers, they all come to the house. They wait outside.” She shook her head. “They want to talk, take pictures. Pictures? Of a sick lady? Of my poor Daniel? No! Is no good, all those people. No good.”
Wow. Maria had made herself heard, and Alexis was taking mental notes. No one wanted to be stalked.
“It was a very small article,” Alexis said with authority, “in the middle of the week. Not even after a game. I’m sure no one will see it.”
Maria shook her head. “One person reads, then says to the next to the next. People talk. You will see.” Whispering to herself and clucking her tongue, Maria opened the pantry door, then turned to Dan again.
“You got calories for a flan today? I bake.”
“Sure,” he boomed. “Lots of calories to spare.”
Surprised at his volume, Alexis peered at Dan. He was putting on a show. Hugging Maria. Smiling wide.
Alexis had already learned the man was disciplined with food. He lived on certain amounts of carbs, proteins and fats. Maria’s delicious creamy dessert would be loaded with fat, cholesterol and calories. He was taking the gas pipe for the sake of a woman who’d been loyal during the hardest times in his life.
“I happen to love flan,” Alexis said. “Believe me, it won’t go to waste.”
The woman glowed.
The man grinned—directly at her.
Alexis blushed, felt her face flame. She quickly turned her head and scooped the baby from her play mat. “Time to go for a nice long walk, sweetheart, but—phew—you’re stinky again. Back upstairs we go.”
Dan was waiting when they returned. “I’ve got a little time. I thought I’d join you for a couple of blocks, then walk to my car. You’d be on your own afterward.”
“Sure,” said Alexis, “I’ll even let you push the stroller.”
“Great. I’m going to call your bluff on that.” He leaned over Michelle. “Want Daddy to push you, baby?”
Michelle’s eyes drifted closed, and Dan’s carefree laughter floated in the air. A musical sound that made Alexis smile.
“The ladies in my life sure know how to take me down a peg.”
Boston’s star quarterback could laugh at himself—a nice trait. It seemed there was a whole lot more to Dan Delito that Alexis had yet to discover.
IN FIVE MINUTES, THEY were outside, enjoying the crisp, fresh air. Dan took a deep breath. Maybe it was because of the game and his career, but fall had always been his favorite season. Nothing beat the blazing foliage of a New England autumn, the expanse of apple orchards loaded with red and yellow fruit, or roadside stands filled with plump orange pumpkins and other gourds. Now, a pale sun made an appearance with a promise of more warmth later on. Dan reached for the stroller, eager to try out a new daddy chore.
“You look like the Cheshire cat,” said Alexis.
“I’m grinning like a happy man.” It actually felt strange. He hadn’t felt happy in years. He emitted a long, low whistle as the thought hit him. He hadn’t wrestled with his grief in a little while. Could a baby do all that? Was his adorable daughter the key to a happy future? Was it because Alexis was part of the picture? If nothing else, the challenging woman had jolted him from his ennui.
He automatically set a fast pace, but Alexis was right beside him. “You okay?”
“Loving it. Remember, I’m Boston’s most loyal walker, but slow down on the cobblestones for Michelle’s sake.”
“Absolutely.”
“How come you’re driving yourself today?”
“I like driving, but not on game day or on airport treks for away games. Louis is my usual driver. You’ll meet him on Sunday after we beat Miami.”
“Sunday?”
“Sure. We’re playing at home again. The whole family’s going—they always do. You and Michelle, too. We all chipped in for a reserve box at Gillette. No one wanted to be left out.”
“I can watch on TV,” she quickly replied. “Your mom and dad can take the baby. I trust them. Rita can change a mean diaper.”
Her immediate protest caught him by surprise. Most people would give their eyeteeth for a box view at the stadium. But nothing was simple with Alexis or their entire situation.
He eyed her closely—puckered brow, tight mouth—a picture of worry. He softly said, “No one’s going to faint this time, and I’d like the rest of my family to meet you.”
Silence.
“You’re very important.”
More silence.
“I don’t even see the resemblance anymore.”
“Liar.”
He rattled off the list of differences he’d once shared with his mother.
“Good Lord, Dan, have you examined me in a petri dish?”
He chuckled, wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “But you are different, Alexis. Totally unique.”
She fit perfectly against him. More important, she felt wonderful against him. A long time had passed since he’d had his arms around a woman—at least when he was stone-cold sober. Two years to be exact.
It was easy with Alexis, almost too easy, and that gave him pause. He never trusted anything that was too easy.
CHAPTER SEVEN
A “BOX” DIDN’T ADEQUATELY describe the Delitos’ thousand-square-foot luxury suite at the stadium. Beautiful furnishings, a private bar and private restrooms delineated the space overlooking the field. More overwhelming to Alexis than her surroundings, however, was the family horde.
Maybe a hundred people, big and little, approached all at once. At least, it seemed like a hundred to Alexis, but maybe it was fifty. She’d never liked crowds, so, pasting a smile on her face, she braced herself for the onslaught of…maybe…twenty-five squealing kids and curious adults anxious to get their hands on Michelle.
A man approached first, looking just like Dan, but heftier.
“Hi, Alexis. I’m Joe Delito, Danny’s big brother and manager of Delito’s Italian Deli and Market.”
Shaking his hand, she tilted her head back to look him in the eye, then stole a glance at his petite mother. Joe followed her gaze.
“Wow,” said Alexis. “It’s a good thing babies grow afterward.”
Joe’s hearty laughter rang out. “Good point.”
“So, why aren’t you on the field, too?”
“No regrets there. I played in school—defensive line—but to me, it was only a game. For Dan, it’s his passion. Although,” he continued as he reached for the baby, “he seems to have found another passion.”
“Ooh, she’s gorgeous!” A woman’s voice. “My turn, Joe. My turn.”
Alexis met Mary Ann, Joe’s wife, and their three young sons. Then Dan’s sister, Theresa, needed a turn with Michelle. She nuzzled the infant as though she’d never let go.
“Larry and I have three kids, also,” she said, waving one arm around the suite. “Three girls, but in this family, there’s always room for more. I’m so glad you called Dan. We’re all thrilled to have a new niece.”
No one fainted. Alexis couldn’t fault any of them for their behavior. Dan must have threatened them w
ith expulsion from the suite; Rita and Nick must have threatened to withhold the baby from visits.
More people came. Two young single cousins, then Andy Romano and his family, and Louis Gates—Dan’s driver, who said he’d be taking her and Michelle home that night with Dan.
“Sorry I can’t drive you, but it’s a late game,” said Nicky. “I have to open the store early tomorrow.”
“What about the car seat?” she protested, thinking about the time it had taken earlier to load Nick’s car with the baby’s paraphernalia and install the seat. They’d been lucky to arrive at the stadium before kickoff.
“Nick and I will handle that at halftime. Not to worry,” said the chauffeur with a smile, a handshake and a piercing stare as though memorizing her features for later recall. “I’ve been driving Mr. Delito around for a long time, and now that he’s a dad, I’ll take even better care of him.”
She wondered if he was referring to late nights at a club or if he’d simply made an innocent remark about getting the star QB to the airport on time. Her stomach tightened when she thought about the first option. She hoped she never had cause to investigate Dan’s whereabouts.
She had no time left to wonder. Miami had won the coin toss and chosen to receive, and the game was in play. She relaxed. The Patriots’ defensive line was on duty. Dan was safely on the sidelines for a little while.
Miami’s aggressive offensive line completed two downs in five minutes and were driving for a TD. Cameras roved to a grim Dan, watching from his seat. The crowd was roaring for defense, not an auspicious beginning to a home game. In the suite, Alexis heard mumblings and quiet swears. Miami had scored.
“Oh, God,” Rita whispered, “they’ll want to keep their lead. When we’re in possession, they’re gonna take Dan out right after the snap.”
“The correct word is try, Rita. They’re gonna try to take him out.” Nick didn’t look as confident as his words sounded.
Whatever. Alexis didn’t blink. She put on her cop face. This game was exactly like every other game, and Dan was always in danger.
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