Melodic Dreams

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  Deadlines faced him. The half finished movie score needed a uniting theme. The musical had barely been begun. Composing had saved him and blurred his grief over a child who had never been. Now there could be that lost child. He didn’t know what to do or say.

  Maria turned from the door. “Will you help?”

  “Is there no one else?”

  “I have a brother.”

  “Appeal to him.”

  She laughed. "Not a good idea. Once he knows where you are, he will arrive and demand money for all he spent on Jamie.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “If you refused he will smear you in the tabloids. Famous Composer Denies His Child. I’m sure he and my sister had concocted a scheme to drain your bank account. She was on her way to New York City when she had the wreck.”

  His shoulders tensed. Pain curled his hands. “Did you steal the boy? Is your brother his guardian?”

  "His name is Jamie. I’m his guardian. Have been since the day I took him from the hospital. If you would like I will share him with you. He’s a special little boy.”

  Jay drew a deep breath and caught the subtle scent of vanilla. Maria looked like a softer version of Delores. Her features lacked the sharpness of her sister’s. Maria’s laughter and her care of the boy made her more interesting. He liked the way her dark hair curled around her face and the liveliness of her dark amber eyes. She had more curves than his dead wife. What would…Whoa. He had no time for her and the boy but…in that instant he made a decision he might regret.

  “Select a school. Call me with the name. I’ll handle the finances. Then stay out of my life.”

  “Jamie’s your son.”

  “Maybe but right now I don’t have time for him.”

  She turned from the door. Disappointment shone in her eyes. “Write down your phone numbers. I’ll call.”

  What did she expect? Did she think he would sweep the boy into his arms? He refused to do more until Amos discovered if the papers she’d brought were legit. He should ask for a DNA test but that could wait until the detective made a report. He didn’t want the emotions Maria Russo had stirred. He didn’t need another Russo woman destroying his ability to create.

  Chapter 2

  Maria let the screen door slam behind her. “Jamie, we’re leaving.” She gulped deep breaths of the floral scented air hoping to regain her calm center. Anger and attraction stirred her thoughts in directions she refused to take. The man was Jamie’s father. For the pair to have any chance to bond, she had to move carefully. She put Jamie’s toys in her bag and propelled him through the gate to the car.

  Jerk. Asshole. Hot. Handsome. She pushed against her emotions. How could he deny paternity? If she had stayed another second she would have slugged the arrogant man. She fastened Jamie into the child’s seat and slammed the door.

  She’d won a concession. He would pay for pre-school but there was more she wanted. She clamped her fists into a tight ball. She wouldn’t allow an instant attraction to rule. He didn’t have time to bond with his son. At this moment, she believed everything her sister had said about Jay Lockley. Instead of examining the papers she’d given him, he would rather think she lied.

  Why didn’t he want to know Jamie, to protect, teach and love him? Jay Lockley was little different from her brother. Carlo had ignored the child until he learned Jamie’s father had money. Money drew Carlo like a magnet draws iron. She shoved the key in the ignition. Except for the help with child support, did Jamie really need his father?

  She believed he did. She needed to let the man know how few people were in his son’s life. His grandmother and mother were dead. There were no cousins, close or distant. His uncle saw him as a meal ticket. His father didn’t want him. Did Jay have relatives who might become part of her nephew’s life?

  She started the car and drove down the other side of the U-shaped driveway. Her hands tightened on the wheel. Determination to change the situation rose. Mr. Lockley, we’ll see how long you can ignore a little boy who needs his father.

  “Aunt Ria, are we going home? Don’t like it here.”

  “We’re going to the apartment. That's home now.”

  “Don’t like that man.”

  His words echoed her feelings but she couldn’t turn him against his father. “Our visit surprised him. He doesn’t know us so let’s give him a chance. Once he does, he’ll change.” At least she could hope.

  “Is he like Uncle Carlo?”

  “I don’t think so.” Her grip on the steering wheel tightened until her knuckles blanched. Her scheming brother had no idea where they were.

  “Good. Didn’t like it when Uncle hit you.”

  Maria thought about Carlo’s temper. After their mother’s death, he had tried to force her into giving him custody of Jamie. She’d refused. He’d hit her but backed off when she’d threatened to call the police.

  “I’ll have my money,” he had yelled. “I’ll go to New York City and stay until I find him.”

  The moment he’d left town, she and Jamie had packed and driven to Fern Lake.

  “Do you think my dad will hit you?”

  “No.”

  “Why is he as sour as lemons? Nana would shake her finger at him and give him candy.” He laughed.

  Maria hid a smile. “She certainly would.” She pulled the car into her parking space and freed Jamie. They rode the elevator to the apartment.

  “Would you like a snack?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  In the kitchen, she poured milk for him and iced tea for herself. After opening a package of cookies she gave Jamie two. He dunked them in the milk.

  “What are we doing now?”

  “Making the beds and unpacking our clothes.”

  Jamie finished the milk. “I can help.”

  “You sure can. You’re the man of the house.”

  He giggled. “I’m a boy.”

  As they worked, Jay’s handsome face pushed into her thoughts. The attraction troubled her. There was no time in her life for a man, especially an arrogant blond jerk. She had a new job in her chosen career, one she prayed would become permanent. There were student loans to repay and a nephew who needed her.

  As soon as the twin beds had been made, Jamie yawned. “I’m so tired.”

  Maria patted the quilt covered with animals. Their sleep on the floor last night had been a restless one for him. “Slip off your shoes. I’ll finish unpacking. When you wake, we’ll go to dinner.”

  “Will you fix my piano?”

  “Of course.” She kissed his forehead.

  After putting their clothes in the dresser and closet, she walked to the living room. There she opened the box containing the keyboard he called a piano. After assembling the stand, she plugged the cord into a socket. With soft touches, she skimmed the keys.

  Her thoughts swarmed like yellow jackets seeking picnic food. Leaning back she sorted thorough the swarm. Had Delores loved the man she’d married? Had she used him as a way to achieve her obsession with stardom? Singing had been Delores’ talent. Praise from people in the small town had swollen her ego. She’d taken money from their mother and headed to New York convinced she would see her name in lights. Her infrequent letters had bragged about her engagements at various clubs and of the man she’d married. He would make her a star. An angry pregnant woman had returned. Her determination to abort her child had infuriated their mother.

  Maria thought of the whispered conversations between Carlo and Delores. She hadn’t heard any details. One day Delores had taken Carlo’s car and headed back. The car had skidded on a patch of black ice and crashing into an abutment for an overpass and caused massive injuries.

  Maria sighed. Jamie had been saved.

  Her memories filled with the night that her mother’s hysterical cries had awakened her. The accident. The hour’s drive and arrival at the hospital to learn her sister had died but her infant son had been delivered. That night, Maria had become the guardian of a four pou
nd boy.

  A sigh escaped. Why had she been attracted to Jay Lockley? Her goal in moving to Fern Lake had been to allow father and son to form a bond. If he saw Jamie’s fascination with music, would he continue to deny paternity?

  Enough. Dwelling on the past was futile.

  She went to the bedroom and grabbed clothes. After washing and dressing in the bathroom, she woke Jamie. “Come and wash your face and change clothes. We’ll have dinner at the Italian restaurant up the street.

  He rubbed his eyes. “Okay.”

  Five minutes later, she brushed his tangled curls. “You look handsome. Are you ready?”

  “Yes. I’m very hungry.” His green eyes flashed with eagerness. “Will the gravy be as good as Nana’s?”

  “Nothing will be that good.”

  “When are you making some?”

  Maria laughed. Her mother’s recipe made a gallon and she had no place to store the excess. “Someday. Let’s walk since the restaurant is close.”

  As soon as they left the building, Jamie pulled free. Maria clasped his shoulder. “What are the rules?”

  “Don’t go near the street. Don’t run. Keep looking for you.”

  “And don’t get too far ahead.

  He skipped and turned. “Hurry.” He walked backwards and collided with a woman whose blond hair reminded Maria of Jay’s golden mane.

  There strides later, Maria reached them. “Sorry. He’s always in a rush.” The woman’s green eyes made Maria gasp.

  “Are you?” the woman shook her head. “You look so much like someone I met years ago.”

  Though Delores had never mentioned Jay’s relatives, this woman had to be his sister. “You must mean my sister. Delores.”

  The blonde nodded. “Yes.”

  A handsome, dark-haired man took the woman’s arm. “Manon, is there trouble?”

  She shook her head. “Just a minor collision with a handsome young man. And an unexpected meeting.”

  “Someone you know?”

  “No. She’s Jay’s dead wife’s sister.”

  He glared. “How did you know we’d be here? That woman nearly destroyed my friend. Why are you here?”

  Maria pulled Jamie close. “I had no idea you would be coming to the restaurant. My nephew and I live in the apartment complex and decided to have dinner here.”

  Though the man’s anger faded a bit, she felt like a germ under a microscope.

  “I’ll give you a pass. I used to live there and Louie’s is so convenient. Just why are you in Fern Lake? Did you know Manon and I have dinner here every Monday evening?”

  Maria drew a deep breath. Was he another like Jay? She had to answer. “I had no idea Mr. Lockley had a sister. I’ve been in Fern Lake since Sunday. I’ll be working at Fern Lake General. I’d like to give Jamie…Never mind.” She turned and pulled Jamie with her. “Come on. We’ll find another place to eat.”

  “Don’t go.” Manon looked at the man. “Which department?”

  “Occupational Therapy.”

  “Thank heavens. All we have at the moment is a CODA and she can’t do evaluations. When do you start?”

  “Two weeks from today.”

  “Could you begin earlier? There are patients who can use your services.”

  Maria shook her head. “Not until I find a good pre-school for Jamie.”

  Manon turned to her companion. “Rafe, we should have the child care facility at the hospital all year, not just the summer.”

  He shrugged. “Out of my hands. Talk to the Board.”

  “I just might.” She held a hand to Maria. “Welcome to Fern Lake. I’m Manon and this is my husband, Rafe. Join us for dinner and we’ll fill you in on the hospital.”

  “Maria Russo and this is Jamie.” She didn’t know how to refuse the invitation. Could Jay’s sister help her understand the arrogant man? “We’ll join you if you don’t mind a sometimes messy boy.”

  “Not at all.” Manon led the way into the restaurant.

  A dozen tables with glass tops covering the white cloths lined the walls and formed an area between. Soft music played. The aromas of garlic and spices filled the air.

  A waiter escorted them to a table and brought a booster seat for Jamie. Maria fastened a large napkin around his neck. “Company manners.”

  “Yes, Aunt Ria.”

  Their orders were taken. Antipasto arrived with a loaf of bread and herb flavored olive oil for dipping. Jamie dove for the black olives. Maria shook her head. “Piggy, save some for the rest of us.”

  He looked up and grinned. “But they’re so good.”

  Manon leaned forward. “His eyes.” She turned to Maria. “He’s Jay’s son. I thought…Have you seen my brother?”

  “We surprised him,” Jamie said. “My nana would call him sour.”

  Manon covered her mouth with her hand. “That nails him. When?”

  “This afternoon.” Maria lifted her wine glass. “He wasn’t very receptive.”

  “I see.”

  Rafe dipped bread into the oil. “Be patient. He’s stubborn.”

  “Typical Taurus,” Manon said. “Rafe’s right. He’ll come around.”

  Tension oozed from Maria’s taut muscles. “Unfortunately, Jamie wasn’t impressed.”

  Rafe nodded. “He’s so wrapped in music these days he has time for no one. Warned us to stay away.”

  “Several times.” Manon sipped wine. “I hope he emerges from his cave in time for his birthday.”

  “My birthday is in December,” Jamie said. “Maria’s is in July.”

  “So are mine and Rafe’s," Manon said.

  “We’ll have a triple party,” Rafe said.

  “With three cakes?” Jamie clapped his hands. “I like cake.”

  * * *

  The moment he heard the car taking Maria and the boy away, Jay dialed the detective agency he’d used to trace Delores. Four years ago, he’d wanted her location so she could be served with divorce papers, nothing more. But now, questions abounded.

  A woman answered. “Black and Black Investigations, how can we help you?”

  “Amos Black, please.”

  “I’ll see if he’s free. Who should I say is calling?”

  “Jay Lockley. I need his services again.”

  “One moment.” A short time later, the rasping voice he remembered reverberated in his ear. “Mr. Lockley, what can I do for you?”

  Jay explained the arrival of Maria and the boy. “She brought documents that look legit but I wonder if they’re forgeries.”

  “A child you say. One who appears to be the right age?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me pull your file on screen.”

  Jay tapped his fingers on the table. Could the answer be easily found? Had the detective failed to give him everything he’d discovered?

  “Mr. Lockley, I’ve reviewed your former request. All you wanted was for me to locate your estranged wife. I did and sent confirmation of her death.”

  “I had no idea there was the possibility of a child,” Jay said. “These are the papers I was given.” He listed them. “I’ll fax copies. And I’d like to know why the child was missed.”

  “Who gave them to you?”

  “Maria Russo claims to be Delores’ sister and guardian of the child she claims is my son. I need to know the truth. If he’s mine I’ll claim him in court if necessary.”

  “You could ask for a DNA test?”

  “I could but I want to know more about the Russo family.” He gripped the receiver. He was ninety-nine percent sure the boy was his. Dealing with a woman who looked like Delores raised suspicions. He wanted to know if Maria was as greedy and as self-serving as his dead wife had been.

  Emotions triggered by memories of the days of feeling like a naïve fool swamped him. Added to those feelings the attraction toward Maria churned his thoughts as though they were whirled in a blender.

  “Just what do you want me to do?” Amos asked.

  Since he knew the man wou
ld do no more or less that he asked Jay began. “Check the validity of the papers I’ll fax. Investigate Maria and Carlo Russo.”

  “Looks like I’m taking a road trip,” Amos said. “This will cost.”

  “How much?”

  For a moment there was silence. “Say five grand. I’ll need to fly and rent a car.”

  “I’ll wire the money. I need the truth so I can act.” Excitement bubbled in his thoughts. “This time I expect a detailed report of everything you learn. Call me when you arrive.”

  “Will do.”

  Jay disconnected and carried the folder and papers to the studio where he faxed the documents. He booted the computer and wired the money. As he slipped the papers into the folder he found several pages of music. He stared. He’d been working on these melodies just before Delores left.

  Why had she taken them? Then he saw his name had been crossed out and hers written above. Had she planned to pass them off as hers?

  As he studied the notes, he laughed. The melodies, one bright and the other dark, had fluidity and power. He propped the sheets on the piano rack. One by one he played them. During a second pass, he jotted notes where revision was needed. He gripped the uncompleted movie score. Yes. These melodies would fit the score. He worked to the point where the harmony needed to be added. In his head, he heard an orchestra.

  When exhaustion forced him to halt, he groaned. He could hear the ending and wanted to push ahead. His fingers cramped. His hands curled. Waves of pain tore his concentration to shreds. He rubbed one hand over the other. What if they remained frozen into claws?

  Slowly, the throbbing eased. He sank on a chair and closed his eyes. Maria. Her face appeared and he saw warmth in her dark honey eyes. He must thank her for returning the music.

  Warmth flowed over his skin. She was so like and unlike the haunted memories of Delores. In Maria’s eyes, he’d seen none of the calculation that had filled his dead wife’s. What he’d seen from Maria had been love for the child and anger toward him.

  His hands spasmed. Why this attraction for a woman he had no reason to trust?