Once inside, Natalie signed Danny in while he bounced on the big red exercise ball in the cheerful children’s waiting area. The spot brought a smile to her face. The rainbow mural livened the other beige walls, and Danny always found something new in the bin of toys. She started for the middle chair but stopped when someone tapped her shoulder.
“This is a counseling center.” Aidan folded his arms, a gesture Natalie had seen too often over the past couple of hours. “Toby’s an emotional support dog?”
“A therapy dog,” Natalie clarified and lowered her voice. “They tried play therapy first, but Danny relates to Toby best. We’ll finish this conversation after they call him back.”
The door opened, and a nurse with a gorgeous golden retriever in a vest called Danny’s name. Danny jumped up and hurried to Toby’s side. “My uncle came to visit me. Be nice to him. He’s a major.”
Natalie went over and spoke to the nurse for a few seconds before returning to Aidan’s side. “Follow me. The nurse is going to take him for his monthly attention test before he settles in with Toby and the PA, who’s subbing for his regular therapist today. We have a couple of minutes until Danny will be back.”
She led Aidan to one of the therapy rooms and closed the door behind them. Parts of this room reminded her of her classroom, with its bright yellow walls and toy kitchen set. However, her room didn’t contain a low-resting orange sofa across from an aqua chair where the therapist usually sat. She sank into the sofa opposite the major, who’d already made an impression on Danny. She only hoped he wouldn’t be devastated when Aidan left in a hurry.
Protecting Danny and keeping him on the road to recovery were her top priorities.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Aidan scrubbed his clean-shaven face with his right hand. Then he lowered both sleeves to his wrists, but not before she again caught a glimpse of a faded but ragged scar running about four inches to the back of his hand.
“What happened?” Natalie pointed to his arm.
“That happened years ago and isn’t important. Danny is. How long has he been coming here?”
That was as much of an answer as he was probably willing to give her at this point.
Her life centered around making sure kids could be kids. Too often the pressures of the world weighed them down too early. In Danny’s case, he’d lost his mother so young, and Shelby hadn’t listed a father on his birth certificate. Loss wasn’t easy at any age, a lesson she’d learned the hard way, but Natalie would do her best to give him some semblance of a normal life from here on out. Love and laughter went a long way in childhood.
And in adulthood as well.
Natalie leaned back and fingered her necklace. His stare verged on becoming a glare, but she didn’t wilt easily.
“Danny and Shelby were very close. His world caved in when she died. He hasn’t laughed since then, and the nightmares started right away.”
“You should have consulted me before starting the counseling.”
“I tried. You didn’t respond.”
“That must have been for the few weeks I didn’t have access to email. Either that, or yours went to my spam folder.”
If he thought that steely look of determination would cause her to cave, he’d never been around twenty kindergarten students ten minutes before lunch when they were hungry and snapping at each other. She always kept her control around them, and she’d maintain her sense of calm now. “I’m a teacher, and I know when a child needs immediate help. He deserves a chance to be a kid, and I’m doing all I can to help him.”
His jaw clenched, and she worried she’d crossed a line. In spite of everything, a judge could decide if Aidan, as Danny’s sole living relative, should have custody over Shelby’s wishes. Her focus had to be on Danny rather than his attractive uncle, who could make everything more difficult if he chose to do so.
“Then it’s a good thing I’m here.”
Finally, he said something she supported. He must be coming to his senses at last. “Then you’ll arrange to stay longer? I’m no expert, but there must be some sort of bereavement leave, or something like that.”
“It’s too late for me to contact my superior officer at Fort Lewis today. You’ve opened my eyes to some details I hadn’t considered before.” He frowned and started to rise. “I’d best call about the arrangements tomorrow.”
Natalie’s heart soared at how reasonable Aidan was about extending his leave with only a slight suggestion on her part. The real benefactor in the decision was Danny, who’d bloom under his uncle’s attention. “That’s great.”
“Who’s the best person to talk to on staff about getting Danny’s records transferred?” His words brought that level of wariness back into her spine.
“Why would you need to do that? Danny has his appointments scheduled for the whole summer. That makes it easier to sleep in or plan our adventures.” Some of which would now have to include Aidan. A twinge of excitement at the three of them doing something together lodged deep in her, and she tried to push the feeling away. Aidan would return to his military base near Seattle too soon while she and Danny remained here.
Aidan rose, and she followed suit, thankful for the extra inches from her cowboy boots, allowing her to draw even with his taller-than-average height. “I’m not extending my leave.”
Her stomach sank at how disappointed Danny would be at Aidan leaving so soon. She’d have to console him, and this might set his progress back.
“I’ll arrange for Danny to continue his therapy at Fort Lewis. I’m taking him with me on Monday.”
CHAPTER THREE
“THANK YOU FOR seeing us on such short notice, Ms. Romano.” Natalie shook the attorney’s hand and Aidan did the same.
“Call me Penelope. I’m glad I could fit you in this morning before my other early appointments.” The petite brunette signaled for them to occupy the seats on the other side of her desk, and he and Natalie did so.
Part of him bristled at having to come to the law office when there were pressing matters at hand, like packing Danny’s belongings and signing releases for his medical information. He was Danny’s only living relative, and blood trumped everything as far as he was concerned, especially given Natalie’s earlier words about how Danny was a problem she’d be glad to be rid of.
Aidan handed over the legal documents pertaining to Danny’s custody for Penelope’s examination.
“This shouldn’t take up much time. Daniel Murphy is my nephew. Unfortunately, there were pressing matters that needed my attention before I could fly over and procure custody. That’s been taken care of, and everything’s in order. I’ll be returning to Seattle next week with Danny.”
Natalie shook her head, her red hair flying. “After Shelby’s death in late March, I signed custodial papers with Mr. Mahoney. Shelby named me as Danny’s guardian.” Her voice trembled, and she inhaled a deep breath and smoothed the silky fabric of her sundress. “You should have a copy of the custodial order. We came straight here after dropping Danny off at my mother’s, so I don’t have mine with me.”
“Thomas made some notes here in the file. I need a moment to review them.” Penelope extended a tight smile before focusing her attention to the paperwork.
Natalie crooked her finger, and Aidan leaned toward her, catching a whiff of her light floral perfume. “Thomas is Mr. Mahoney, who was like an institution in Hollydale since he’d practiced law here before my father was even born. He suffered a heart attack a couple of months ago, sold the firm to Penelope and moved to Arizona.”
For some reason, Natalie was intent on telling him every detail about every resident of this town. He knew his taciturn demeanor usually dissuaded people from wanting to chitchat. Instead, he usually only heard the strictest of confidences. So this was a new experience. While he could wrangle details out of others, he tried to keep his own conversations short and bu
sinesslike.
Penelope cleared her throat, and he snapped to attention. Sitting ramrod straight, he tried to glimpse some of the paperwork in the file, but Penelope was having none of that.
“I’m not sure where the confusion has come from, but it seems both of you are under some misconceptions.” Penelope doffed her wire frames and placed them alongside the file.
“Apparently some of my emails and other communication didn’t reach me while I was on a mission, but she’s indicated she’s only too happy to relinquish custody of Danny and get on with the rest of her summer.” He’d had quite enough. He hadn’t flown over four thousand miles for this. Natalie had a way of getting underneath his skin like no one had in some time, but he needed to settle this now and take Danny with him.
“I did no such thing.” There was fire hidden in those happy, calm depths of her eyes.
“You said you were looking forward to having the whole summer ahead of you, free and unencumbered. You agreed that my coming here helped you.”
“A summer with Danny after the parade is finished. I thought you were the new city manager, remember?”
“You called Danny a problem, and you said you had dug a deep hole.”
“You’re twisting my words. I can see where some of what I said might have sounded bad when taken out of context. I meant I’d dug a deep hole in agreeing to work on the float. I never meant anything bad about Danny. I held him the day he was born, and he’s a part of my heart.” She turned toward him, her voice raised. “I’m Danny’s legal guardian. I signed papers to that effect. That has to count for something. Shelby wanted him to grow up with a family, with love.”
Penelope patted the desk with her hand, and he broke eye contact with Natalie. “I don’t have a gavel, but it’s important to remember we’re here for a reason. The legal standard for a court to decide custodial cases is what is in the best interests of the child.”
“I’m Danny’s uncle, his flesh and blood.”
“I’m his legal guardian. I’ve helped him with school and tucked him in every night since Shelby passed.”
Penelope replaced her glasses and glared at each of them until he and Natalie quieted. “From what I understand, Shelby Murphy listed no father on Danny’s birth certificate.” She looked Natalie’s way and received a nod for her efforts. “And she moved to Hollydale earlier this year, since she had a support network.”
“Danny’s father was never in the picture. Since Aidan’s in the military, Shelby didn’t want to move to Seattle in case Aidan was transferred yet again. She had enough moving as a child, and she wanted Danny to stay in one place. When she visited me, she loved Hollydale and decided this was where she wanted Danny to grow up. She was going to open a lunch café, Snickerdoodles. It was her pet name for Danny, since those are his favorite cookies.”
“When she completed the paperwork to purchase the property on Pine Street, Thomas asked her to complete a will.”
Aidan leaned forward at Penelope’s words.
“She names Aidan Murphy, that’s you, as Danny’s financial guardian.”
He breathed in the sedate smell of old books combined with a scent of the fern on the corner of the desk and relaxed. “Thank you. Are there any papers I need to sign to extinguish the previous guardianship forms?”
“Hold on. I’m not finished. There’s more.”
Aidan’s stomach roiled at Penelope’s precise diction. He could have used someone of her caliber when dealing with rogue new recruits.
“She also named Natalie Harrison as Danny’s co-guardian in the event you were still in the military. Is that the case?”
He nodded. “At least until next summer and my reenlistment date.”
“Your sister expressed her sincere desire that Danny remain in Hollydale if anything should happen to her prior to his eighteenth birthday or his high school graduation. Before you ask, it’s legal in the state of North Carolina to have unrelated co-guardians of a minor child, unusual but legal.”
“Danny’s supposed to go with me to Seattle on Monday. I have to report to Fort Lewis. It’s in Danny’s best interests to remain with family.” Aidan didn’t recognize his voice. He’d worked all around the world on many difficult missions, and this was the first time his voice sounded weak, as though he’d lost all control of the situation, which he had.
Penelope shut the file and folded her hands. “I suggest the two of you come to an understanding about what’s in Danny’s best interests and where his permanent residence will be. It’ll mean more in the long run if you two are in agreement without involving legal counsel or the court system. May I suggest a follow-up meeting next Tuesday at the same time with your decisions?”
Nothing was going as planned on this trip. Instead of returning to Fort Lewis with Danny early Monday, Aidan would have to call his commanding officer and request family leave time.
Penelope glanced at Natalie, and Aidan turned her way as well. Natalie nodded, while Aiden let out a silent sigh.
Somehow, he had to convince Natalie before next Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. that he was the best guardian for Danny.
CHAPTER FOUR
AIDAN WAS STRUCK by how blue the sky was as he walked down Main Street on his way to the Eight Gables bed-and-breakfast. To his left, Natalie matched him stride for stride, her bright pink cowboy boots thumping along the sidewalk. His sister had left custody of her son to a woman who wore cowboy boots in summer.
It wasn’t that Hollydale seemed like a bad place to raise a boy. His maternal grandmother had lived in a small town like this, and he’d enjoyed a couple of weeks each summer with her exploring her farm before his mother’s death. Then he’d lived with his father, who was in the military and transferred on a yearly basis, and hadn’t visited her again.
He’d moved on, and so would Danny.
At this point, there was no other option. He needed to contact his superior officer for that extra time away to convince Natalie and Ms. Romano he was the best choice to be Danny’s guardian. There wasn’t a moment to spare.
In doing so, he’d be going against Shelby’s wishes. Should Danny stay with the person who’d cared for him over the last three months?
Everyone in the military knew you didn’t leave a soldier behind. Aidan wouldn’t leave Danny behind either.
That brought some relief.
“I hope you don’t mind my walking with you. I stopped at Eight Gables, intending for us to go together to Penelope’s office, but you’d already gone, so I left my car there and headed over to the law office. It’s such a gorgeous day, not too hot and no trace of rain.”
He turned toward Natalie, who sent a smile in his direction.
“Besides, there’s something special about seeing the Fourth of July decorations go up, don’t you think?” Natalie tapped his arm, and a shiver of awareness at her touch stopped him in his tracks.
Her carefree charm struck him at his core, and he understood why his nephew might be captivated by someone whose blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. However, her innate trust and easy acceptance of total strangers threw him, and he wasn’t sure whether she was naive, in light of some of the horrors he’d witnessed, or wonderful.
While he’d like to err on the side of wonderful, something gave him pause, and he kept walking.
“I haven’t thought about it. I haven’t been stateside for the holiday in a while.”
“I’d like you to see Hollydale like I do, since this is your first trip to the place where Shelby wants Danny to grow up. If you take the time to look around you, you’ll understand why. Then it will be easier to go along with what she wanted.” Natalie’s voice was as warm as the sunbeams radiating the town, giving no sign of nervousness that he’d be taking Danny away permanently. “There’s the town square with the gazebo and people enjoying the fresh air. Or if buildings are more your thing, check out the architectural details on ou
r City Hall. When was the last time you strolled along, soaking in the beauty of what’s around you? Look at the mountains, breathe in the sweet air, feel the sunshine on your skin.”
Somehow, she made being alive feel like a big thrill. Military life had jaded him—the sight of children clutching a blanket and knowing that was their only remaining possession or the sight of a mother burying her child drove home reality in a way he’d never be able to forget.
And yet, Natalie wanted him to revel in decorations? He wasn’t sure he was ready to do that. Diverting attention away from him was a wise tactical move. Focusing it on Danny would be even better. “You were right about talking without Danny around.”
“My mom was happy to watch him. You should consider Shelby’s wishes and let him stay here.”
“I can’t leave my nephew in the hands of a total stranger.”
She recoiled and moved her hand away. “I’m not a stranger to Danny. You’re more of a stranger since you haven’t seen him much over the years.”
“I’m his uncle, and he’s my family.”
“Family is more than skin-deep. Take my parents. They loved Shelby and took her under their wing. They’ve done the same with Danny.”
He had to concede her point about families. After college, the army had become his family. “And Fort Lewis will care for Danny in the same way. Besides, I won’t be in the military forever.”
“If memory serves me right, you have another year. That’s a long time.”
“Yes, and it’s five if I want to take full retirement. Actually, I’ve been in talks with a private security corporation in Washington, DC, about a position that would utilize my linguistic skills in conjunction with their military contracts. My reenlistment date is a year from now, and they’re willing to wait for me.” While the job offer was impressive, he’d decided against taking it and instead had planned to finish his remaining years in the military until his retirement. Now, however, with Shelby asking for Danny to live in one place, he’d contact the company and see if the offer was still open.
Harlequin Heartwarming March 21 Box Set Page 46