by Judy Duarte
Kieran couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on a picnic, let alone spent a couple hours at a park. And while he could think of a hundred other things he could be doing on a Saturday afternoon, like golfing with buddies or watching college baseball at his favorite sports bar, the day had actually turned out to be pleasant.
Now, as he drove back to Dana’s house to drop her off, he wondered how to thank her for all she’d done for him and Rosie today. He’d mentioned his appreciation more than once, but that didn’t seem to be enough.
There was something else he wanted to talk to her about, something that he couldn’t mention in front of Rosie. Several times this afternoon, the little girl had called him Daddy, leaving off the Uncle. And to make matters even more complicated, he’d also heard her refer to Dana as her mommy.
Dana seemed to let it roll right off her back, which was probably the best approach. But Kieran thought he should address it, although he wasn’t sure how.
Maybe he should talk it over with a child psychologist. Rosie might be missing her father—or longing for the kind of family most of the other children her age had. And there was nothing Kieran could do to fix that, no matter how badly he’d like to.
He glanced in the rearview mirror, where Rosie sat in her car seat, her eyes closed. Had she fallen asleep? She’d played hard today, so she had to be worn out.
“You know,” Dana said, drawing him from his musing. “We...or rather you, should think about the upcoming B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y.”
He was going to ask who was having a birthday until he realized there was only one reason for Dana to spell the word.
“Should we plan a P-A-R-T-Y?” he asked.
“I think it’s a good idea. And if you decide to go that route, I’d be happy to help.”
“Thanks. I’ll definitely take you up on that offer. I’ll give you a call after we get home, when we’re free to talk more about it.” He took another peek at Rosie in the mirror. Her head was rolled to the side now, her lips slightly parted.
He supposed they could talk more now that Rosie appeared to be sleeping, but it might be best to give it some thought. And yes, that would give him an excuse to call Dana later. And not just to talk about the “Mommy and Daddy” stuff, but anything else that came up.
But when they pulled up into Dana’s driveway and parked, he had a second thought and volunteered to carry the picnic basket inside for her.
“I’ve got it,” she said. “It’s practically empty now.”
“Let me get it for you. I insist.” Besides, that would give him the chance to talk with her privately on the porch. He’d still call Dana later, to talk about the party—or whatever.
Before he slid out of the car, he lowered the windows to make sure Rosie was comfortable. Then he removed the picnic basket from the backseat and carried it to the front porch, walking beside her.
“I’m not sure if you heard, but Rosie referred to me as her daddy more than once today. I had a feeling she was going to drop the uncle eventually.”
“She lost her father recently, so I don’t find it surprising that she considers you the next best thing.” She slipped the key into the lock and turned to him. “Does that bother you?”
“In some ways. I don’t want to take Zach’s place in her heart. I want her to remember the man he was and the love he had for her. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t please me at the same time. I guess it’s complicated.”
Dana reached out and stroked his arm, offering both comfort and understanding. “She’s only three, Kieran. I know she’s bright and will be turning four in a couple few weeks, but the chances of her remembering a whole lot about her father are slim. When was your first memory?”
She was right. He blew out a sigh. Then he set the basket aside, resting it on the small patio table near the door, and studied the woman he’d begun to rely on, the one he admired more than she’d ever know. The one who was not only stroking his arm but touching his heart.
“Did you hear her refer to you as her mommy?” he asked.
“A couple of times. Her grandma always filled that role for her, and right now, Sandra can’t be there for her. I’m sure most of her friends at school have mothers, so it seems only natural that she’d try and create a family of her own, even if it’s only imaginary.”
“Are you okay with that?” he asked.
“This may sound weird to you, but it’s actually a little flattering.”
“I know what you mean.” Kieran liked the fact that Rosie was willing to accept him as the next best thing to Zach.
“I’m sure she’ll call me Dana again in time.”
“You’re probably right.”
“The woman who eventually becomes her mommy is going to be a lucky lady,” Dana said.
Had Zach lived, Dana might have become that lucky lady. Did she know that? Did she mourn for what might have been? She’d said—or implied—that she didn’t. But that’s just the kind of thing a loving, warmhearted woman like Dana would say to make things easier on those around her.
Kieran cupped her jaw, and their gazes met and locked. A rush of complicated emotions swirled up in his chest, threatening to wreak havoc on his life like a Texas twister. Yet it didn’t scare him, even though it should.
“You’re pretty special, Dana.”
“So are you.”
Unable to help himself, he slid his hand forward, from her jaw to the back of her neck, and drew her mouth to his.
He wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d flinched or read him the riot act, but she leaned into him, slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him back—deeply and thoroughly.
It hadn’t been all that long ago that he’d had the freedom to date whoever he wanted—and whenever. He’d had a fairly active sex life. But by the way his testosterone was pumping now, you’d think he hadn’t had sex since his teen years.
Damn, he couldn’t seem to get enough of her sweet vanilla taste, thanks in part to the sugar cookies they’d had for dessert. Nor could he breathe in enough of her classic scent.
As his arms tightened around her and she pressed her body close to his, his blood rushed through his veins, throbbing with intensity. If he wasn’t careful, he’d make a scene right here on her front porch. Yet for a man who wasn’t into public displays of affection, he didn’t particularly care what her neighbors might think. And apparently, neither did she.
“Daaddy!” Rosie called out from the backseat of the car.
Caught with his hand in the proverbial sugar cookie jar, Kieran tore his lips from Dana’s and released her.
“I’m right here,” he said, as if answering Rosie’s call of Daddy. But he wasn’t her father. Zach was.
Rosie rubbed her eyes and scrunched her face. “Were you kissing Mommy?”
Zach might have asked Kieran to step up and be Rosie’s father, if the unthinkable happened. But he’d never asked him to take his place with Dana.
“It’s not what you think,” Kieran told her. “I’ll be right there.”
As he backed off the porch and stepped onto the lawn, he looked back at Dana and nodded toward his car. “I’d better take her home. I’ll...talk to you later.”
“Sure.” Dana’s voice came out so softly that he hardly heard her.
But if truth be told, he didn’t want to talk to her about this now or later. Because, for the life of him, he had no excuse for what he’d just done.
* * *
Dana had no idea what had just happened.
Okay, she and Kieran had shared a heated kiss. And not just privately, but right outside her front door, where all the neighbors could see.
As far as she was concerned, the kiss had been amazing and so blood stirring it weakened her knees. Yet obviously it hadn’t affected Kieran in the same way. But why would it?
Before taking custody of Rosie, the handsome bachelor could be seen every night at restaurants, concerts and galas all over town, a beautiful model or socialite on his arm. And no doubt, he probably woke up the next morning with her, too.
Dana wasn’t a virgin, but she wasn’t all that experienced, either. So while that kiss had been amazing, at least to her, Kieran clearly hadn’t found it remarkable. In fact, he’d been so embarrassed or disappointed that he told Rosie she’d been mistaken, that she hadn’t actually witnessed him and Dana in a lip lock.
For that reason, she’d been embarrassed and disappointed by the kiss, too. She’d put her heart and soul into it, but Kieran couldn’t have rushed off any faster if his pants were on fire. So she must have done something wrong.
She scanned her yard as well as the sidewalk and street. Fortunately, there wasn’t anyone in the vicinity who’d seen what’d just happened. As much as she’d like to have someone to talk to, to offer her advice, she was too new to the neighborhood to have made any friends or confidants. The only person she felt inclined to call was Monica, but she’d never liked sharing her humiliation with anyone, even her bestie.
She blew out an exasperated sigh. How could she have been so stupid as to think that she actually stood a chance with a man like Kieran Fortune Robinson?
There was no excuse, other than the fact that she was falling heart over brain for the guy and had made a real mess of things. The only thing she could do was tell him she was busy the next time he called asking for her help with Rosie.
Of course, watching him hightail it out of here convinced her that he wouldn’t be calling her anytime soon—if ever.
But in twenty minutes, she realized she’d been wrong about that when her cell phone rang and the caller ID told her it was Kieran.
She didn’t want to answer, didn’t want to talk about what had happened or what it all meant. With each ring, her heart skipped and fluttered until she thought it might stop completely.
Finally, she swallowed hard, cleared her throat and slid her finger across the screen, taking the call before the line disconnected.
“I’m sorry about ducking out so quickly,” Kieran said.
She wasn’t about to accept that lame apology, although she didn’t expect more than that from him.
“That kiss took me by surprise,” he added, a little chuckle fanning his words.
Apparently, he’d forgotten that he’d been the one to instigate it. So how could he have been taken aback by it? But there was no need to admit what she was really feeling. “Don’t worry about it.”
She could really go off on him and his quick departure, listing all the things he didn’t have to worry about, but she let it go at that.
“I need to talk to you,” he said. “And not on the phone.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Sure it is. How about dinner one of these nights? I’ll find a sitter.”
Like that was going to be an easy task for him to do, especially with Sandra’s hands already full.
“I have a lot going on this week,” Dana said.
He paused a moment, then pressed on. “How about next week?”
Now it was her turn for silence. “Listen, Kieran. I’m not interested in going out with you—as friends or as a teammate or...whatever. Kissing you was a big mistake and not one I plan on making again. So let’s just pretend it didn’t happen.”
More silence. Then, “You’re angry.”
No, she was hurt. But since it was her fault for making assumptions, her anger was directed at herself. “Actually, I’m fine. And so are you. No harm, no foul.”
“Yeah, well, I think there’s more going on than you’re admitting. Is it Zach?”
Why did he always bring up Zach? This was about Dana and the insecurities she claimed to have overcome but sometimes still battled, especially at times like this. But there was no way she’d bring that to the forefront of this conversation, so she tackled the one that was easier to admit. “Zach and I were never much more than friends. I can’t even remember the last time he kissed me, so what does he have to do with it? Besides, he’s gone and out of the picture. But I clearly made a mistake by kissing you, so don’t worry. I’ll never do it again.”
A heavy silence filled the line until she wondered if she’d completely stumped him or if he’d hung up on her. Finally, he responded with a question. “What if I wanted you to do it again?”
She laughed, a short, choppy, insincere burble that mocked the tears filling her eyes. “Let’s just forget it happened and get on with our lives. That’s what I plan to do.”
“What if I don’t want you to?”
For a moment, she grasped for the hope he offered, the suggestion that he was actually feeling something for her. And while she’d give anything to have a family of her own, she knew better than to think it might carry the Fortune name. So she’d have to get over this and move on with her life. Because, if she didn’t, she’d never stop battling those stupid, waifish insecurities.
“Goodbye, Kieran. I have something pressing to do.” And that was true. She had to get off the phone before her voice broke, before she let him know how badly she hurt.
Then she disconnected the line and ended the call. Too bad she couldn’t shut out the memory of his kiss as easily.
* * *
Kieran glanced at the cell phone in his hand. Dana had hung up on him. For a woman who’d kissed him as though she was staking a claim on him, she’d certainly cut him off just now.
What the hell had happened?
He redialed her number, then waited for her to answer. No one shut Kieran out like that. Her words didn’t make a whole lot of sense, other than she’d pretty much indicated that she hadn’t been thinking about Zach.
When she answered, instead of hello, she said, “What part of goodbye don’t you understand?”
Wow. He’d really messed up, and he wasn’t sure how to fix it.
“Listen, Dana. We need to talk. You already said no to dinner, but I think it would do us a world of good to clear the air. So maybe we can have a drink, a cup of coffee... Whatever. And I’d prefer to do it sooner, rather than later.”
“There isn’t anything to talk about.”
“Yes, there is. You’re angry—and maybe even hurt. And I’m not sure why. If it’s because I came on to you so strongly, I’m sorry.” Rather than tell her how he was feeling and how afraid he was to end things like this, he added, “I don’t want to lose...whatever our friendship has become.”
“You don’t have to make things into something they’re not. I forgive you for dashing off like you did. It’s okay if you’re not interested.”
What was she talking about? Hell, he was incredibly attracted to her and had been fighting every one of his sexual urges.
“Okay, there’s clearly been a big misunderstanding. Hell, I felt like a jerk all the way home. And now I’m feeling even worse.”
At that, her voice softened. “It’s not your fault—it’s mine. I never should have read anything into that kiss.”
He wasn’t sure what she’d thought it all meant. Hell, he wasn’t even sure himself. All he knew was that he wanted to take her out on a real date—and it sure as heck wouldn’t be to Cowboy Fred’s Funhouse and Pizza Emporium or a picnic at a park.
But should he push for that? What if she told him no?
Wow. This was surreal. He’d never worried about a woman turning him down since... Hell, he couldn’t remember when. But he’d be damned if he’d accept Dana’s refusal sitting down. Not when he suspected there was more going on than met the eye.
Did Dana have feelings for him? He suspected she might, because if she didn’t, why would she have kissed him the way she had? And why would she be so angry and upset now?
“Please don’t go any
where. Just give me an hour. I’m coming to talk to you—and without Rosie.”
Before she had time to object, he hung up the phone and called his sister Olivia.
When Olivia answered, feminine laughter erupted in the background.
“What’s all that noise?” he asked.
“Zoe and Sophie are here, and we’re helping Sophie with some wedding planning. May is just around the corner, so we don’t have much time.”
Sophie was going to marry Mason Montgomery, a computer programmer who also worked at Robinson Tech.
“It’s funny you should call,” Olivia said. “We were just talking about having Rosie be the flower girl. You don’t have any objections, do you?”
“No, I’m sure she’ll love that—especially if she can wear a princess gown.”
“No problem there. We’ll find the perfect dress for her to wear.”
“Great. Just send me the bill.” Kieran realized his sisters were busy, but seeing as he had no other options, he told Olivia why he’d called. “I have a problem, and I need a big favor.”
“What’s that?”
“I need someone to watch Rosie for me this evening, and I hope that someone is you.”
“Oh, no,” Olivia said, laughing yet clearly serious, too. “I’m not a kid person. You ought to know that. But I’ll provide you with a better option. Let me put Zoe on the line.”
At this point, Kieran couldn’t be choosy. And Olivia was right. Zoe would probably jump at the chance.
Once the phone had been transferred from one sister to the other, he restated his request.
“I’d be happy to watch her,” Zoe said. “Where are you going?”
“I need to talk to a friend.”
“A friend?” Zoe asked. “Male or female?”
“Does it matter?” he asked.
“Actually, it does. I can watch Rosie for an hour or two, but I have plans to meet some of my high school friends this evening. However, if you have a hot date, I’ll adjust my plans.”
Her response took him aback. “Why would you reschedule or cancel your plans for me if I’m seeing a woman?”
“Because I feel sorry for you. Instant fatherhood has probably put a real damper on your social life.”