by Judy Duarte
His parents had created a warm, loving home on the Leaning L, and they’d always made her feel welcome. In addition, she adored Rosie, Zach’s sweet, precocious daughter. Since her mother had signed over full custody to Zach right after birth, that pretty much made Rosie an orphan, just like Dana was.
When Dana was twelve, she’d lost her parents in an accident. Without anyone who was either willing or able to step up and take her in, she’d gone into foster care.
Fortunately, Rosie wouldn’t have to worry about that. The Lawsons had always been a big part of her life, so it wasn’t like she’d be completely uprooted and shipped off to another home to live with people she didn’t know. Dana took great comfort in that.
When she arrived at the Leaning L, she parked next to Kieran’s Mercedes. It was only natural that he’d be invited back to the Lawsons’ house. He and Zach had been the best of friends, even though the two men had been so dissimilar—and not just when it came to the clothes they wore, the music they liked or the social circles in which they ran.
Still, they’d been very close.
Much closer than Dana and Zach had ever been.
Before Dana could climb the wooden porch steps and let herself in, Kieran swung open the front door as if he’d been waiting just for her. Then again, she’d been right behind him.
“Come on in.” He stepped aside so she could enter the small, cozy house that had always reminded her of the kind of place a ranching family might have lived in during the 1950s, with its rough-hewn paneling, the overstuffed, floral furniture with crocheted doilies over the armrests and a rag rug on the floor. It was all very Norman Rockwell. The only thing missing was a big, boxy television with a small black-and-white screen.
Maybe that was another reason she liked this house—well, the vintage feel as well as the warm welcome she’d always received.
As she crossed the threshold, she caught a whiff of Kieran’s cologne, something musky and woodsy, reminding her of a lazy summer day in the mountains. Something undoubtedly expensive and sold at only the finest stores in Austin.
“Sandra took Rosie to her room for a nap,” Kieran said. “The poor kid could hardly hold her eyes open.”
Dana acknowledged the comment with a nod, then scanned the living room, where the pastor of the church and several close family friends had gathered. They were seated on the sofa as well as on some of the chairs that had been moved from around the linen-covered table in the adjoining dining room.
The women from Sandra’s Bible study and Dana had arrived early this morning and prepared the food, which would be set out as a buffet. Before leaving for the service, they’d stacked blue paper plates, white napkins and plasticware at one edge of the rectangular table, and placed a bouquet of spring flowers in the center.
Sam greeted Dana with a hug. “I’m glad you’re here. Sandra and I wanted to talk to you as well as to Kieran. As soon as Rosie is sound asleep, we can go into the kitchen, where it’ll be more private.”
“Of course.” Dana had no idea what they intended to say, but she was glad to be included in what seemed like a family discussion. She shot a glance at Kieran. Their gazes locked, their sympathies clearly united.
Moments later, Sandra entered the living room, her eyes dry, yet still red-rimmed. “Rosie’s finally taking a nap.”
Sam nodded, then lifted his right hand, directing them to the doorway that led to the kitchen. “Shall we?”
When they entered the small, cozy kitchen, the counters lined with cakes and platters of cookies, memories slammed into Dana, causing her to pause in the middle of the room. One mental snapshot after another struck, the first one reminding her of the cold, rainy night last winter when she’d joined Sam, Sandra and Zach to play cards. The memories of times spent in this very room clicked in her mind as if she were watching the scenes on an old nickelodeon—the morning she’d helped Sandra bake cakes for the church bazaar, the afternoon she’d washed a bushel of apples that had come from trees in the family orchard, then learned how to make and can applesauce.
This particular kitchen, with its light green walls, white Formica countertops and floral printed café curtains, was also where Dana had last seen Zach alive and well. Sandra had invited her to dinner just three days before the accident. They’d had pot roast, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy...
Dana shook off the memories before she fell apart and cried for all she’d lost. She’d loved her visits to the Leaning L, but now that Zach was gone, she might never be invited back.
Sandra, always the hostess, asked, “Would anyone like coffee?”
“Let me serve it for you,” Dana said.
Normally, Zach’s mom would have declined the help, but this wasn’t a normal day. She took a seat at the antique oak table, practically collapsing in her chair.
Dana placed cream and sugar on the table, then filled several mugs with hot coffee and passed them out to Sam, Sandra, Zach and the pastor of the Oakdale Community Church, who’d been asked to join them in the kitchen. Since Dana preferred tea, she passed on having anything at all to drink.
“Last night,” Sam began, “we... That is, me and...my wife...” His voice wobbled and cracked. He cleared his throat, paused a beat, then looked to the minister.
Pastor Mark nodded, then pushed his mug aside. “Sam and Sandra read over Zach’s will last night, and they have a concern as well as a heartfelt request.”
Dana still had no clue where this conversation was heading, but it was obviously in a direction the older couple needed their minister’s help expressing.
Pastor Mark Wilder, who’d served his congregation for the last thirty years, scooted back his chair and got to his feet as if he was preparing for a sermon. “Sam and Sandra believe that Zach’s wishes should be followed, but they also know he hadn’t expected to die so suddenly or so young. And their biggest concern is for little Rosabelle.”
Dana had no doubt about that. The couple adored their precious granddaughter.
“As you know,” the pastor continued, “Rosie and Zach have been living with Sam and Sandra for her entire life. So the Leaning L is the only home she’s ever known.”
Where was he going with this? Dana assumed Rosie would stay with her grandparents. After all, she’d just lost her father. Who else would take her? Where else would she live?
Oh, no. Surely her mother hadn’t resurfaced. From what Zach had told Dana, her pregnancy had been unexpected and unwanted. She’d planned to give her baby up for adoption, but Zach had refused to sign the paperwork, insisting that he wanted sole custody of their child. The woman had agreed and then walked away without a backward glance the moment she’d been discharged from the hospital.
Dana stole a glance at Kieran. The expression of concern he’d been wearing moments earlier had morphed into one that almost appeared panicked.
It wasn’t until Pastor Mark completed his speech that Dana realized why.
“Zach gave custody of his daughter to Kieran.”
Chapter Two
Kieran hadn’t been sure the Lawsons had even known about the existence of Zach’s will, but he had. He’d also been well aware of Zach’s wishes when it came to who would raise Rosabelle. He just hadn’t planned to bring it up, especially now.
When Zach had first mentioned his visit to the attorney and had asked Kieran to be Rosie’s guardian if the unthinkable should happen, Kieran had laughed. Sure, he’d been honored to be chosen, but he’d known there had to be someone much better qualified than him to finish raising Zach’s daughter.
What did Kieran know about kids—or parenting?
He didn’t have any insecurity about his competence to do anything else. As one of the legitimate offspring of Gerald Robinson, aka Jerome Fortune Robinson, he was certainly capable of taking care of her financially. He was a millionaire many times over and a
damn good computer analyst. He was also good at making and investing money. But he was a man who knew his strengths, and parenting was not one of them. Hell, he certainly hadn’t had the perfect example of either a mother or father while he grew up. And he’d told Zach as much.
But Zach had disagreed. “If something ever happens to me,” he’d said, “there’s no one else I’d trust to take care of my daughter.”
Kieran would have mentioned Rosie’s biological mother, but the flighty brunette was completely out of the picture. She’d gladly signed over full custody of the newborn to Zach and had never looked back.
“It’s just a formality,” Zach had said. “We’ll both be dancing at Rosie’s wedding.”
At the time, Kieran had believed that was probably true, so he’d reluctantly agreed. But obviously neither of them had foreseen the accident that would change everything.
Kieran, who actually liked having Rosie refer to him as her uncle and had no problem assuming that easy role, blew out a ragged sigh as he looked at the people around the room. “I knew about Zach’s will, but neither of us expected him to die so soon.”
“Sandra and Sam are hoping that you will hold off on exercising your right to custody,” Pastor Mark said. “At least while Rosie is so young, and the loss of her father is so recent.”
Kieran hadn’t planned to assume custody, although the Lawsons probably didn’t know that. And he wanted to put their minds at ease as well as his own. “If Zach could somehow talk to us right now, he’d agree that Rosie would be better off living with the two of you. Your bond with her is the strongest, now that he’s gone. We can discuss the legalities later. But in the meantime, if there’s anything she needs, anything at all, just say the word. I’ll make sure she gets it.”
Sandra’s eyes overflowed with tears. “I’m so glad you feel that way, Kieran. We love that little girl with all our hearts, and she’s...” The grieving mother and grandmother sniffled. “She’s all we have left.”
It might sound as if he’d made a huge concession, yet even though he adored the sweet little girl, he was actually relieved that she was going to continue living with Sam and Sandra on the Leaning L.
“We’d also like both of you to remain a part of her life,” Sam added, looking first at Kieran, then at Dana. “Especially over the next few months, while her loss is so fresh.”
“Of course,” Dana said. “I’d hoped you’d allow me to continue visiting her—and you, too.”
“Honey,” Sandra said, gazing at her son’s girlfriend, “over the past six months you’ve become the daughter I never had. I’ve enjoyed having you around, even if it wasn’t as often as I’d have liked.” Then she looked at Kieran. “I hope you’ll come by regularly, too. I know your job keeps you busy, but...” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she paused to wipe it away.
But she didn’t need to finish her words. Kieran knew what she meant. He’d make it a point to come around more often than he had in the past. “I’ll never be too busy for Rosie or the two of you.”
“See?” The pastor placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I told you all we had to do was pray about it, and everything would work out.”
Kieran wasn’t very religious, but he appreciated them putting in a good word with the man upstairs. As far as he was concerned, this was working out for the best—for everyone involved.
“Why don’t you go back into the living room?” he suggested to the grieving couple. “I’ll help Dana get the food set out.”
“That’s so sweet of you,” Sandra said as she got to her feet. “I feel funny not being the hostess, but...”
Dana slipped her arms around Zach’s mom. “I know you do, Sandy, but let me take over your duties today. Besides, I have help.” When she glanced at Kieran, he nodded his agreement.
“Come on,” the minister said. “It’s time for people to show you their love for a change, just as you’ve done for them in the past.”
After the Lawsons and Pastor Mark returned to the living room, leaving Kieran and Dana alone, Dana said, “I hadn’t realized Zach gave you custody.”
“I’m not entirely sure why he did.”
“He considered you his best friend.”
Kieran had felt the same way about Zach, but still, what had he been thinking when he’d asked Kieran to step up and parent Rosie? He was a diehard bachelor and not the least bit family-oriented.
Sure, he loved and respected his siblings. But seriously? He would make a lousy parent.
“Just so you know,” Dana said, “I agree that it’s in Rosie’s best interests to stay on the ranch with Sam and Sandra, but you need to consider something.”
Kieran never made rash decisions. What did she think he’d failed to think about?
“Sam has heart trouble, and Sandra’s health isn’t very good. I’m not sure how long either of them will have the stamina to keep up with an active three-year-old.”
She had a point, and while he had no idea what the future held, he was glad the couple wanted Rosie—and that they would be able to raise her, at least for the time being.
As Dana moved about the kitchen, pulling salads from the refrigerator and serving spoons from the drawer, Kieran watched her work. He was drawn to her hair, especially since the color reminded him of autumn. She usually wore those long red locks pulled into a topknot or woven into a twist held up with a clip. He’d seen her with it hanging down once, and it nearly reached the small of her back.
He’d always thought of redheads as being a little feisty, but Dana was more serious and a little old-fashioned. She was also bright and the studious type. At least, he’d always had that assumption because she was a graduate student and a researcher at the history center, so it was an easy jump to make. Either way, she wasn’t the type of woman Kieran dated.
When Dana turned away from the kitchen counter with a bowl of macaroni salad in her hand, she caught Kieran studying her. For a moment, something stirred between them—a spark of some kind. Maybe a flash of chemistry. He’d dated enough to know when an attraction was mutual.
But if he was right about what he’d sensed, she seemed to get over it a lot faster than he did.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No.” Hell, no. He’d merely zoned out, caught up in a momentary fixation. He shook off his wild thought. “I... I just wasn’t sure what to do next.”
“Would you take this salad, along with the others on the counter, to the dining room and place them on the table?”
“Sure.” Glad to have a job to do, one that would take him out of the kitchen and away from her, he took the bowl and did as instructed.
What was the matter with him? Even if he did find Dana attractive and interesting, she’d dated Zach. It wouldn’t be right to think of her in a...well, in a romantic way.
So he’d better get his mind on either someone or something else. Quickly.
* * *
Dana reached into the drawer nearest the oven and pulled out a couple of pot holders. But she couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder to see Kieran carry the first of the salads out to the dining room. The man might be well-dressed and gorgeous, but he was completely out of place in a kitchen, let alone one that was built in the 1950s.
Even when he wasn’t dressed in a stylish gray Armani suit, the corporate vice president seemed to be cut from a different bolt of cloth than Zach. Kieran was made from expensive silk, like the fancy yellow tie he was wearing, while Zach had been made out of rugged and durable denim.
It was impossible not to compare the two men, to note their good qualities or admire their close friendship, although now that Zach was gone, there was no longer any reason to.
Dana returned to her work and pulled a ham from the oven, leaving two casseroles still baking inside.
When footsteps sounded in the open doorway
, the kind made by Italian loafers and not cowboy boots, she turned to see Kieran return, his hands now empty.
“What next?” he asked.
She put the hot pan on the stove top, then set the pot holders on the counter. “Would you mind slicing this ham?”
“No, not at all.”
“There’s a serving platter in the small cupboard over the fridge. There might also be a couple of trivets in there. I’ll need them to hold the casserole dishes.”
His brow knit together. “What’s a trivet?”
She couldn’t help but smile. He’d probably been raised with a housekeeper, a cook and a nanny, so it was no wonder that he didn’t know his way around a kitchen. But she had to give him credit for trying to help and to fit in. “A trivet is a small little rack that keeps a hot dish from resting directly on the table.”
“Got it.” He brushed past her, leaving a soft trail of that mountain fresh scent in his wake.
She couldn’t help taking a second whiff, appreciating his unique fragrance. But that’s the only arousing awareness she’d allow herself. She shook off her momentary attraction, took the pot holders in hand again, removed the two casseroles from the oven and placed them on the stovetop.
After Kieran set the platter on the counter, he removed the trivets from the cupboard. “Why don’t I put these on the table so they’ll be ready for those hot dishes?”
She thanked him. Then, in spite of her resolve to keep her mind off him and on her work, she watched him go. She’d never been interested in men like Kieran, although she had to admit he was more than attractive. At six feet tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes, he was a killer combination of bright and sexy. Most women wouldn’t think twice about setting their sights on him, but Dana was more the down-home type. And she knew most men considered her to be a little too quirky to notice her in a romantic way.
In addition to the obvious, Kieran was also a member of the renowned Fortune family. And Dana had no family at all.
Of course, that didn’t mean she’d been left destitute. Before their fatal accident, her parents had set up a trust fund for her, and last year, on her twenty-fifth birthday, the money had been released. She’d used most of it to purchase and to renovate a run-down house in Hyde Park that was built in the 1940s.