From Fortune to Family Man

by Judy Duarte

  “It’s nothing, really. I just... Well, things are getting a little weird because, as much as I adore Rosie and want to help, Kieran is...well, he’s handsome, successful and ultrawealthy. He’s also so far out of my league that I’d never fit in with his family or friends if I tried. And on top of that, he’d never be interested in someone like me anyway.”

  “Awww...”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Don’t doubt yourself, chica. You’re brighter and far more beautiful than you’ve ever realized. And you have plenty to offer a man like that—particularly a loving and loyal heart.”

  Dana rolled her eyes. “Have you ever heard of Robinson Tech or the Fortune Foundation?”

  There was another pause, then a long, drawn out whistle. “You mean he’s that Kieran Fortune, as in Kieran Fortune Robinson? You mentioned the last name, but since he and Zach were friends, I didn’t make the connection. I mean, Zach was a rancher.”

  “They met at college. Played football together, if I remember correctly and were in the same fraternity. Plus, believe it or not, Zach was pretty sharp. People didn’t always recognize that since he tended to speak slowly and with a Texas twang.”

  “Still,” Monica said, “I repeat—you’re bright, beautiful and have a loving and loyal heart. You have a lot to offer any man, even one from a wealthy, renowned family.”

  “Intellectually I know that.”

  Monica clicked her tongue. “Don’t let those old voices from your teen years make you deaf to the truth.”

  “You’re right. I guess I just need to be reminded that some of the things my foster parents and the other kids used to say don’t mean a darn thing.”

  “They certainly don’t. And I’ll be happy to remind you whenever I can. So will my abuelita, who adores you and wants to know if you’ll be able to visit soon. She promised to make green chili and chicken mole, just for you.”

  Dana laughed. “How can I refuse an offer like that?”

  “You can’t. So check your calendar and let me know when you can take some time off. And speaking of time, I need to hang up. I’m going to meet the new elementary school principal for coffee.”

  “Ooh, that sounds interesting.”

  “He’s gorgeous, but who knows? I’ll definitely keep you posted.”

  When the call ended, Dana went for a walk in her neighborhood. She’d no more than returned to the house when her cell phone rang.

  It was Sandra Lawson on the line.

  “How’s Sam doing?” Dana asked.

  “He’s weak and a little grumpy, but that’s probably to be expected after spending more than a week in the hospital. I bought him home about ten minutes ago.”

  “That’s great,” Dana said. “I’m so glad to hear that. Is he up to having visitors? I’d love to come by and see you both.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Don’t bother to cook,” Dana added. “I’ll bring dinner for you when I come. That is, unless someone else has already volunteered.”

  “No, you and Kieran are the first to know that Sam came home. I was just about to call Pastor Mark next.”

  “I’m glad I was at the top of your phone list,” Dana said. “Give Sam my best and tell him I’ll be there around four this afternoon.”

  As soon as they’d said goodbye and the call ended, Dana pulled out her favorite recipe books so she could start a grocery list. The first one she opened was a 1939 edition of The Household Searchlight Recipe Book, which was sure to have some great casseroles. Then she paused midsearch. She’d have to make something heart healthy for Sam, which meant she’d have to do some online research.

  Several hours later, after preparing most of the meal, she arrived at the Leaning L. She’d placed the food in containers and packed them in a big cardboard box, which now rested on the front passenger seat. She’d also brought salad fixings, plus a variety of fruit for dessert, all of which she would assemble when she had the use of Sandra’s kitchen.

  As she steered her car into the yard, she spotted a familiar black Mercedes. Her heart did a series of somersaults that would make a gymnast proud. That is, until reality struck.

  Kieran being here wasn’t a surprise. Sandra had called him first. She and Sam had missed Rosie terribly and had to be eager to see her.

  Dana parked and shut off the ignition, but she continued to sit behind the wheel a moment longer, gathering her thoughts and waiting for her pulse to return to a steady rate. Things had been so awkward when she’d left Kieran’s house the other night that she wasn’t quite sure what to expect now.

  Maybe, since a few days had passed, they’d be able to forget about it and move on. She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. After she’d showered and shampooed her hair, she’d blown it dry, then pulled it into a twist atop her head, using a big, brass clip to hold it in place.

  It looked perfectly fine, but Kieran’s comment came to mind. You wore your hair down that evening. It hung nearly to your waist and was so sleek and shiny. The color was even more striking.

  For some silly reason, she reached behind her head, removed the clip and let the strands fall loose. Then, using her fingers, she combed through them.

  As she studied her new reflection in the mirror, she was tempted to pull her locks back and clip them up again, just as she did before going into work each day. But she wasn’t at the history center now. She was visiting friends, an older couple who treated her like family and a handsome man. What would it hurt to go into the house looking her best?

  She blew off her self-doubt, climbed out of the car and circled around to the passenger side to get the cardboard box of food.

  As she headed for the house, she berated herself—first for changing her hairstyle and then for stressing about her reason for doing it. The truth was, she found Kieran way too attractive for her own good, and she wasn’t going to allow her imagination to run away with her.

  Who cared what she looked like? She wouldn’t give it another thought. Instead, she continued forward, putting one foot in front of the other and willing her heart to match the slower pace.

  Once she’d climbed the steps and crossed the porch, she rang the bell. Moments later, Kieran answered the door.

  “Hey,” he said, as if he’d had no idea she was coming.

  Her heart rate, which hadn’t quite righted itself, stumbled for a moment. That is, until a small, happy voice cried out, “Dannnnna!”

  At that sweet greeting, warmth filled Dana’s chest, and the beats returned to normal. She smiled at the little girl, who wore two neat little pigtails, pale blue bows adorning each one. “Hi, sweetie. It’s good to see you.”

  “Here,” Kieran said, taking the cardboard box before Dana could decline. “Let me help you with that.”

  Releasing her burden was a good thing because, once her hands were free, Rosie practically jumped into her arms.

  Dana held the little girl close, relishing the soft scent of baby shampoo and assuming her grandma had fixed her hair today.

  Was there anything sweeter and more fulfilling than the love of a child?

  “Did you come to see my grandpa?” Rosie asked Dana. “He told me he’s all better because I came to see him. And you know what? He’s going to get me a pony for my birthday.” She held up a hand, her thumb bent to the palm, and showed off her fingers. “I’m gonna be four. And Grandpa said that’s big enough to learn how to ride.”

  “That’s awesome,” Dana said, although Sam was far from being completely well. Still, seeing Rosie must have lifted his spirits and was sure to be the best medicine of all.

  “Looks like we’ll be spending a few weekends out here on the Leaning L,” Kieran said.

  “That’s because I’m gonna live with my uncle at his house,” Rosie added. “And we’re gonna come to
the ranch all the time so I can visit Grandma and Grandpa and my pony.”

  Apparently, the adults had already decided that Rosie’s temporary living situation would become permanent.

  Rosie tugged at the sleeve of Kieran’s shirt. “You know what?”

  There was no telling, Dana thought, as a smile crossed her lips. The precocious child always had something cute and original to say.

  Kieran reached for one of Rosie’s pigtails and gave it a gentle tug. “What’s that, peanut?”

  “Since I’m gonna live with you from now on, I’m gonna call you Uncle Daddy.”

  Dana had to hand it to the child. She’d not only come up with yet another clever thought, but also a new moniker for the handsome exec. She didn’t dare comment. But she did look at Kieran, wondering what he was going to say to that.

  * * *

  Uncle Daddy?

  Kieran had no idea how Rosie had come up with a nickname like that, nor did he know how to respond. Back when Rosie had first learned to talk, Zach had referred to Kieran as her uncle. While it had sounded a little odd to him at first, it had touched him in an unexpected way, and he’d soon gotten used to it.

  But this was different. Was Rosie making an emotional segue from uncle to daddy? If so, it was more than a little unsettling, especially since he knew he’d never be able to fill Zach’s shoes and feared he’d let her down someday.

  Kieran glanced at Dana, hoping she’d help him out of this sticky wicket, but she was studying him just as closely as Rosie was. For that reason, the only thing he could think to say was, “Sure. I like that. Can I call you Princess Rosie?”

  The little girl clapped her hands, causing Dana to sway with the unexpected movement. “Yes, you can! But call me Princess Rosabelle the Cowboy Girl.”

  “That’s a long name,” he said. “Would it be okay if I call you princess for short?”

  Rosie nodded, then asked Dana to put her down. “I gotta tell Grandma and Grandpa so they’ll know what to call me.”

  Once Dana bent to place her on the floor, Rosie dashed off, leaving Dana and Kieran alone in the living room.

  When Dana straightened and their gazes met, Kieran was again thrown back into a swirl of surprise and the rush of attraction he’d felt when he’d first answered the door and spotted her on the porch. He hadn’t expected to see her at the ranch today, but what really threw him for a blood-rushing loop was the sight of her pretty red hair, glistening as it hung loose along her back and over her shoulders.

  He’d nearly complimented her then and there, but before he could find the words to say, Rosie had interrupted them. Should he mention it now? He was tempted to, but he’d really fouled things up by speaking his mind the other night.

  “I told Sandra that I’d bring dinner to them,” Dana said. “I didn’t realize you and Rosie would be here, although I should have. But it doesn’t matter. There’s plenty for all of us tonight with leftovers for tomorrow.”

  He couldn’t blame her for maintaining ties with Sam and Sandra. She obviously missed Zach and felt his presence whenever she was here on the Leaning L with his parents. “I’ll take the box into the kitchen for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  Again, he wanted to tell her that he’d noticed her hair, that he liked it. Had she worn it down because of what he’d told her the other night?

  Hell, she hadn’t expected him to be here today. Leaving it down was probably just a coincidence. It wasn’t like she never wore it that way.

  Shaking off the crazy speculation, he carried the box into the kitchen and placed it on the oak table. Dana, who’d followed him, removed a brown sack, a plastic container and two glass baking dishes.

  “What’s on the menu?” he asked.

  “Baked skinless chicken breasts, brown rice with almonds, a garden salad and a fresh fruit cup for dessert.”

  Seriously? That sounded rather bland and dull. He’d almost prefer to eat Cowboy Fred’s pizza, although he knew better than to say that. “It sounds...”

  “Healthy?” She laughed, the lilt of her voice striking a chord deep inside, the vibrations threatening to shatter anything within its range. “Why do I get the feeling that tonight’s meal doesn’t sound all that tasty to you?”

  He chuckled. “Because it...doesn’t?”

  “I wanted to make something that Sam’s cardiologist would approve of, and so I did some research. Believe it or not, I’m actually a good cook, even when I’m cutting back on salt, sugar and fat.”

  “I’ve never been all that health conscious. But I won’t complain.”

  “Oh, good! Now I won’t have to punch you in the eye, like Rosie did to Michael when he annoyed her at Cowboy Fred’s.”

  As much as Kieran wanted to cling tightly to the uneasiness he’d felt after being with Dana the other night, a smile tugged at his lips. “Just so you know, unlike Dragon Boy, I’m actually drawn to ladies in line for the throne.”

  In fact, he was growing a little too fond of this particular princess, who reminded him of Rapunzel. A man could get lost in hair like hers.

  “So how’s it going?” Dana asked. “Rosie seems happy, and you don’t appear to be nearly as stressed as you did earlier in the week.”

  “It’s getting easier, especially when I’m back at the Leaning L and know that Sandra can take over in a pinch.” Actually, now that Dana was here, he felt even better. “So tonight’s going to be a piece of cake—even if there isn’t a gooey, sweet dessert in sight.”

  Dana laughed again. “Next time we have dinner together, I’ll have to make something gooey and sweet and loaded with carbs and calories just for you.”

  So there was going to be a next time for them. That was good to know. Apparently, they’d both been able to put Awkward Tuesday behind them.

  He supposed he could excuse himself now, but he found it pleasantly entertaining to watch her move about, washing fruits and vegetables, then removing a cutting board and a paring knife from one of the drawers. Obviously, she knew her way around Sandra’s kitchen.

  “I assume you’re also getting used to working from home,” she said.

  “Not really. I hadn’t wanted to hire someone to help me take care of Rosie, but I have a feeling I won’t be getting a darn thing done on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I might be forced to.”

  Dana began peeling two peaches as well as an orange and an apple. “Finding a good nanny should solve that problem.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. But for the record, I believe it’s a parent’s—or in my case, a guardian’s—responsibility to raise their kids.” He didn’t go into detail about the nannies and au pairs he’d had while growing up. Nor did he mention that he’d often felt neglected by his parents.

  He’d probably sound like a whiner to a woman who’d been orphaned and raised in foster care.

  “I’m probably going to have to bite the bullet,” he admitted. “And sooner rather than later. I have to make a business trip to Amarillo on Thursday, although I’ll be back in town that same evening. I’m not sure what to do with Rosie while I’m gone. It’s not a school day.”

  “I’d offer to take some vacation time and help you out,” Dana said, “but I’ve got a meeting that day, and I can’t reschedule it.”

  “I was just talking out loud. I wasn’t asking for a volunteer.” Although, it would have been nice to know Rosie was in Dana’s care while he was gone.

  Dana reached for the grapes, broke off a small cluster and handed it to Kieran. “Here, have a snack.”

  He thanked her and popped a couple of red seedless grapes in his mouth.

  “I used to live in Amarillo,” she said. “And my best friend still works there. Monica Flores. You remember I told you about her?”

  He recalled the name. “The librarian, right?”

  �
�Yes. We met at the library near the house where I lived. She’s just graduated from college and landed her first job as a librarian there. She’s just a few years older than me, so I found myself talking to her about school, college and scholarships.”

  “That’s great that you’ve remained friends. Other than Zach, I haven’t stayed in contact with any of the other guys who went to school with me.”

  “Maybe you should look up a few of them.”

  He shrugged a single shoulder. “Maybe I will—someday. I’m pretty busy at the office, and now that I have Rosie...well, I really don’t have any free time.”

  “I know what you mean. I haven’t seen Monica in more than a year, mostly because I moved eight hours away to work at the history center. But we still keep in touch, on the phone and on Facebook.” Dana grew pensive. “I really miss having her close.”

  “I’ll be taking the corporate jet to Amarillo,” he said, “so you can go with me. That is, if you can get the day off.”

  She studied him and he got the sneaking feeling he’d stepped over a line. And he probably had. She must think that he was making another move on her when he’d just offered to let her come because he’d wanted to be nice.

  “Like I said before,” she finally replied, “I’ve got an appointment. The people I’m meeting have a history foundation and will only be in town Thursday. But thanks for the offer.”

  “Maybe next time.”

  Again she studied him, her head tilted slightly to the side, her pretty red hair sluicing down her arm. “Not that it’s any of my business, but what’s in Amarillo that can’t be done over Skype or FaceTime?”

  “Robinson Tech is considering a buyout, and I want to get a tour of their operation.”

  “That sounds important.”

  “We’ve had much bigger deals. I could probably ask someone else to go in my place, but everyone’s busy. And I really want to see the outfit for myself. Only trouble is, I don’t want to leave Rosie with Sandra while Sam is recovering. And there isn’t time to hire a good nanny. Do you know any of the sitters Zach used in the past?”