by Annie Seaton
She’d also promised Magda that all the accounts would be up-to-date and ready to enter into the computer last Friday, but with the trip to San Francisco, the rush back to Half Moon Bay to finish the Bennett job, and now another day helping Blake with the children, the three cardboard shoe boxes shoved full of invoices and receipts were still sitting on her kitchen table. She needed to get those accounts done now more than ever as a way to show Blake how profitable their department could be. Facts and figures.
She had to convince Blake. She just had to. Helping him with the children might soften him up a little, but she knew it was merely postponing the inevitable clash she knew their meeting would turn into. This peaceful existence between them was not real. Once Blake knew why she was really there, they would argue as fiercely as they had before. Caring for the children was one of the few things they had ever agreed on.
Ana groaned and Jake turned his wide blue eyes to her. Reaching down, she tickled him under his chin and was rewarded with a huge, gummy smile.
“Okay, Jake, I’ll forget about all my worries and pay attention to you. Wise advice, young man. Thank you.”
The excited calls of the children drifted across to her during a lull in the traffic noise. The twins were still on the swings, Maddy was patting a small white dog, and Billy’s arm was outstretched as he pointed to the Fountain of the Tortoises in the center of the park.
“But I like to swim.” His little voice became louder as Blake shook his head and pointed back to the jungle gym.
“I want to swim,” Billy said insistently.
Blake stood at the base of the steps watching Billy climb the slide again. As soon as the little boy landed in the soft sand at the bottom, his little legs pumped furiously as he took off.
“Blake!” Ana pointed to Billy as he charged past the gardens and through the blossoming cherry trees toward the ornate fountain. She jumped to her feet, picked up the baby, and headed for the playground.
“I’ll watch the others while you get Billy,” she called to Blake.
But by the time Blake caught up to Billy, the little boy had removed his coat and shoes and stood in the middle of the fountain peeling off his pants. Blake walked around the fountain, reaching out to Billy as he splashed around just out of his uncle’s reach. As they disappeared behind one of the bronze statues of a youth standing on a dolphin, Maddy and the twins jumped off the swings and ran across to Ana.
“Billy’s not allowed in there. Daddy says.” Maddy nodded her head. “But we won’t tell him because if Daddy has a sore leg, he might get mad.”
The sound of a loud splash followed by a child’s giggling reached them, just before a little figure appeared from behind the farthest statue on the rim of the fountain, and took off across the grass toward the edge of the park and the busy traffic on California Street. Ana’s heart lodged in her throat. The park area was raised above the street and was not fenced along the sidewalk. It was not a huge drop, but it was high enough for a small child to take a nasty fall. She was helpless, across on the other side of the grassy area, holding the baby and with three other children beside her. Blake took the shortest route to catch Billy—straight through the shallow fountain.
“Billy, stop. Billy!” Her shrill cry was muffled by another cable car as its bell dinged before it pulled away.
“Stop,” she screamed again, grasping the baby to her chest and running toward Billy. But the little boy kept running, down the sloping grassy hill toward the busy street.
Parents jumped to their feet, watching in horror as Billy reached the drop to the sidewalk and stood there beside the busy street, his little bare legs white in the bright sunshine.
“Billy! Freeze!” Maddy’s imperious voice rang out over all the cries and traffic noise. Billy stopped and turned around, his little body teetering on the edge of the concrete wall above the sidewalk. By the time Ana caught up to Blake, he’d reached Billy and was kneeling with his arms around the small boy. Water dripped off his hair and shirt from when he’d leaned into the fountain to get Billy out. He looked up at Ana and the look on his face brought tears to her eyes. The love for his little nephew shone from his face and Ana’s heart lodged in her throat.
To have Blake look at me like that…
He dropped his gaze as he held the small boy close to his chest.
“Do you like to swim too, Unca Blake?” His voice carried over to Ana as the little boy looked earnestly up at his uncle.
It was a slow and quiet walk back to Blake’s house. The baby was sucking contentedly on a pacifier in his stroller, and the older children walked along holding Blake’s and Ana’s hands, disappointed that the picnic lunch lay untouched in the basket they had packed. The only sound was the wet, squelching suck every time Blake took a step. His shoes were soaked and his pants were wet from the knees down. Billy’s hand was firmly in his grasp and he had Blake’s jacket around his shoulders.
“No more trips to the park.” His whisper was low and Ana’s heart went out to him. Blake hadn’t let go of Billy since reaching him at the edge of the ledge above the sidewalk, and he’d kept his expression closed. She could imagine what was going through his mind and was sure she would have nightmares about Billy falling under a cable car. They stopped at the busy intersection and Billy tried to pull away from Blake.
“Ow, let go.”
Ana caught Blake’s eye as she spoke to the small boy. “Do you want to have a turn holding my hand, Billy?”
Blake looked back at Ana and shook his head. “I’ve got him.” His voice was clipped. The relaxed, carefree Blake had disappeared.
…
As soon as they got inside, Ana took Billy upstairs to dry him off and change his clothes, and Blake switched the television on for the others. Then he walked the perimeter of the bottom floor, making sure every door and window was locked.
If there was one thing he couldn’t handle, it was being out of control. Taking the children for a picnic in the park had proved disastrous. It should have been a…well…it should have been a walk in the park.
And he’d failed.
He closed his eyes. Never again did he want to feel as helpless as he had when Billy had teetered on the edge of the busy street. God, imagine if he’d had to call Jeannie and tell her Billy was hurt…or worse.
“Blake.” Ana’s voice was quiet and firm. “Billy’s okay. Everyone’s safe. Don’t stress.”
She settled Billy onto the sofa with the other children and spread the picnic blanket on the floor in front of the television before laying out their food.
“Could you get me a coffee, please?” she said.
Blake headed to the kitchen without a word. Like him, Ana had been preoccupied since they’d left the park, and he could understand why. She’d taken on the responsibility of helping him with the kids without hesitation and he’d really taken advantage of her. He’d expected a lot, asking her to help him, just because she’d happened along at the right time, no matter what her reason was.
Before she left he was going to ask her outright why she’d turned up, and he wouldn’t ask her for any more help after today. He would just have to cancel the dinner with Mike and Helen if Jeannie wasn’t back in time. Ana came into the kitchen, slid onto the stool on the other side of the bench, and took the large mug of coffee he pushed across the shiny granite top.
“Ana.” Her hair was loose around her shoulders and she reached up and flicked it back from her face as clear blue eyes gazed back at him. An uneasy feeling lodged in his throat.
A wholesome face, no makeup, and plain, simple clothes. She’d shed the business suit and looked more like the Ana of old. Very different from the corporate, elegant women he’d taken out over the years in New York. Those who were mostly interested in how much money he had.
Which was the real Ana? He’d let himself get sidetracked by her last night.
But damn it, I can’t keep my hands off her. She is messing with my head and I need to focus on the takeover when the kids
are sorted.
Glancing at her hands as she lifted the coffee to her lips, he noticed that her long fingers had short clipped fingernails, and were free of any adornment.
He cleared his throat. “Look, I’ve been thinking. I’m going to call a nanny service again. I’m sure they’ll be able to find someone right away if I pay enough.”
Her face was closed and she nodded without speaking. Turning away from him, she stared out the window and sipped her coffee.
“Are you okay?” He felt like a heel. She was probably just as shaken by Billy’s near miss as he was.
All was quiet in the room. The muffled sound of television cartoons drifted in from the living room and Ana slipped off the stool and moved across to the door.
She glanced in at the children before looking back at him.
She swallowed and lifted her chin. It was time for honesty.
“It’s probably for the best. But I need to tell you something before I go.”
Chapter Six
Ana focused her gaze on the second hand of the large French provincial wall clock above the doorway. She looked at the fancy metal whorls as she struggled to find the right words to tell Blake why she was really here, and what she needed from him. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and focused on the economics of the business. It was not the time to talk about philanthropic and community awareness. She had to make it sound financially viable, or she would lose him immediately. Maybe it would be better if she’d had the figures at her fingertips, but she wanted to be up-front with him before she left.
“Fire away.” Blake’s gaze was fixed on her and his serious expression made her heart thud even louder. Ana gripped the side of the stool until the cold chrome bit into the sides of her palms.
“I never expected to see you again until I heard you were taking over the store down at Nebbiton.” She swallowed and sought for the right words. “That is, until I decided to come on Friday. I could have waited, but I wanted to see you first.”
“Waited?” He tilted his head to the side and she stared at him. A curious gaze looked back at her but the smile crinkles were still around his eyes. He hadn’t shaved this morning and sexy stubble covered his jaw. She closed her eyes and focused on her thoughts on the business, instead of thinking of running her lips along his rough cheek.
“So I made the appointment to see you about the store—”
“The store?” Blake’s expression tightened and Ana’s stomach rolled in anticipation of his reaction.
“You were my appointment? My secretary said it was a guy.” Blake frowned and shook his head. “Why did you come? Is he your boyfriend? You told me you were single.”
“I am single. It’s my business. You have got it—”
“I’m not following you here. Tell me what you wanted from me.” His expression tightened and his eyes were flinty.
Ana clenched her hands in her lap. Blake wasn’t giving her a chance to talk. He hadn’t changed a bit. She lifted her chin, fighting the anger that was building in her chest. She didn’t lose her temper very often, but Blake’s attitude had always been able to rile her. It was absolutely crucial that she stay calm and not rise to the bait, even though she was so disappointed in him. He seemed to think it had to be a guy in charge. His attitude hadn’t changed from back in college where they’d argued.
Ana leaned forward and put her hand on his knee, and a small shaft of satisfaction shot through her as a tic pulsed in his cheek.
“Would you please let me finish what I am trying to tell you?” She kept her voice calm but her pulse was speeding up. “It’s not me who wants something. It is all about the business. We are—”
The ring of the doorbell interrupted them before she could finish, and Blake stared at her, his face closed as he walked around the counter. “Wait here. I want to hear what you have to do with the store at Nebbiton. And why you didn’t think it was important enough to mention before, in the almost forty-eight hours you have been in my house.”
Ana swiveled around on the stool and watched him as he strode across the living room. Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fingers and the anger burned up her throat at the assumptions he had made.
He still doesn’t get it.
Blake paused in the doorway and looked back at her. “I’m disappointed in you, Ana. It appears you are just another person who sees me for what they can get.” Blake disappeared into the parlor to the front door and her temper kicked in. His denim jeans hugged his butt nicely and she closed her eyes to block the sight, but his words stuck in her head, going round and round like a mantra. She was not interested in how sexy he looked. Forget the sexy, he was still as sexist as ever.
How dare he speak to her like that when she’d given up her days to help him out? With an attitude like that, he was going to be a difficult boss and it didn’t bode well for their future. Or the future of the store. Or the community.
Big business comes to Nebbiton. He didn’t even consider for one minute that I might be the restoration guy.
“Mommy, Mommy.” The excited voices of the twins and Maddy interrupted her thoughts, and she opened her eyes. Blake’s sister crossed the room from the porch and bent down and dropped a kiss on the heads of her children, who had jumped up to greet her.
Ana’s eyes pricked as Jeannie stopped and looked down at Billy, who was sound asleep on the end of the sofa. She picked up the little hand hanging by his side, tucked it into his chest, and ran her fingers softy down the side of his face.
Jeannie followed Blake into the kitchen and held her hands out to Ana.
“Anastasia, it’s so lovely to see you again. I was in such a panic on Friday, I didn’t even recognize you.”
“It has been a long time.” Their paths had crossed only occasionally in the year Ana had lived at the house, but Blake’s older sister had always been friendly. “I can’t believe these five beautiful children belong to you.”
“I couldn’t stay away from them any longer.” Jeannie looked across at her brother. “And I felt so bad foisting them all on Blake. Once I knew Rod was okay, I got on the earliest flight I could.”
“You should have called,” Blake said. Ana looked at him but he avoided her eyes. His cheeks were flushed and he held his mouth tight.
Jeannie smiled at him, obviously not picking up on the tension between them. “I know how hectic it is with those five, and I didn’t want to overexcite them either.” She turned to Ana. “I didn’t know you and Blake were still in touch.”
Blake interrupted before Ana could answer. “Ana arrived on my doorstep about two minutes before you did on Friday. She’s been a wonderful help all weekend.” He shot her a glance.
Warmth ran up Ana’s neck and she returned Blake’s gaze. “It was my pleasure. We’ve discovered we are just the same people we were back in college. Isn’t that so, Blake?” She bestowed a saccharine-sweet smile on him and turned to Jeannie. “I was just about to say good-bye when you arrived. I have some things I really must do this afternoon.”
She said a quick good-bye to Jeannie and the children, and hurried to collect her overnight bag before Blake could follow. She had to get out of here before she burst into tears. All her plans were crumbling around her. As she closed the car door and put the key in the ignition, Blake ran down the steps and out to the car. He reached in and put his hand over hers on the steering wheel.
“Is he your boyfriend or is it someone who just took advantage of your soft heart?”
Ana gritted her teeth but she couldn’t stop the angry words spilling out of her mouth. “How dare you make assumptions about me. As usual, you are so wrong.” She turned the key and the engine fired as she pressed the accelerator to the floor. “You haven’t changed at all, have you?”
“Neither have you.”
A red mist settled in front of her eyes and she sat back with her arms folded across her chest. “Oh, but I have changed. Get in the car, Blake, and I’ll tell you why I’m here.”
�
��I’m not interested. Tell whoever this restoration guy is, he wasted his time sending you.” Blake squatted down beside the open window and his head and shoulders filled the small space. “I think it’s time you left.” The afternoon sunlight gleamed off the golden lights in his hair as he stared at her, the nervous tic still jumping in his cheek.
So Mr. CEO isn’t as in control as he is trying to appear to be.
Ana forced a smile onto her face. She reached out and trailed her fingers down his cheek and paused on the pulse she could see beating in his cheek. “I’ll make an appointment and come back when you are in a more approachable mood.”
“I don’t think there’s any need for that.” He caught her fingers in his and they stared at each other for a moment before she pulled her hand away.
“Oh, don’t you worry, there is a need. And we will be seeing each other again. Soon.”
Blake stepped back as she put the car into gear and pulled out onto the road. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she scowled to herself as the car reached the bottom of the hill. He was still standing on the side of the road looking her way. In the end it had gone exactly the way she’d expected. Now she had to figure out how to sort out the mess she’d made of things.
…
Blake pushed the door open and stepped into the living room. Jeannie was sweeping up the crumbs by the side of the sofa where Billy had eaten his lunch.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll get the cleaning service in tomorrow,” he said.
“Really, it’s just a few crumbs. Once I pack up their gear and we’re gone, you’ll barely know they’ve been here.”
“Are you going to take the laundry, too?”
“Be thankful I packed the disposable diapers, little brother. I use cloth ones at home.” Jeannie laughed. She looked across at him curiously. “I didn’t know you’d stayed in touch with Anastasia. Things seemed a bit tense between you.”