His thoughts flitted to the boy. Those green eyes, exactly the shade as his had raised hopes he couldn’t accept. Until he knew the child wasn’t part of a scheme for sticky fingers to plunder his purse he must remain detached.
One thing worried him. How could a woman who looked like Delores’ twin turn discord into harmony?
His thoughts drifted to the days of his first success. A Broadway musical with songs sweeping through the city and the country. He’d been feted and followed by cameras and fans. One night the producer had taken him to s small club where Delores had sung. The words and melody of one of his ballads had flowed on her silky voice. Her smoldering glances and her lush body had enchanted him.
He’d been naïve. A rich boy with a famous father and a mother more interested in charities than children. He’d been ripe for seduction and hungry for love. He’d fallen fast and hard, taken her to his apartment for a night filled with sex. She’d stayed. He’d written songs for her with melodies showcasing her silky voice. Their affair had erupted like earth birthing a new volcano. A month after that first meeting, they had married.
She hadn’t given up her obsession with stardom. Not long after the wedding she had asked him to get together with the lyricist and write a musical for her. He’d tried but his muse had vanished.
Pregnancy should have put her desire on hold. For days she had screamed and blamed him for carelessness. Two months later she’d left to go home and have an abortion. She’d taken every cent from their joint accounts.
What a fool he’d been.
Jay’s hands clenched. Those days were gone. He’d found music again. He couldn’t allow Maria or anyone to drive him into that dark place where cacophony ruled.
The clock chimed eight times. He left the studio and headed to the kitchen to heat one of the meals Mrs. Greene left for him. Before he’d eaten two bites of the chicken pot pie, the doorbell rang.
“What now?” he muttered.
“Jay, where are you?”
He groaned and knew she wouldn’t leave. Even if he’d been in the studio, Manon would invade. “Kitchen.”
Manon strode into the room with Rafe two steps behind. “Are you back to earth?” she asked.
He shrugged. “For long enough to eat.” He wasn’t about to tell her about his stroll through memories. “I’m alive. I’m eating. You can go home.”
Rafe opened the refrigerator and took out a beer. He gestured to Jay. Jay shook his head. As soon as they left, he intended to return to the studio.
Rafe raised the beer. “She’s going to grill you about out dinner companions. A beautiful woman and a delightful boy.”
Jay’s suspicions escalated. How had Maria learned about his sister’s Monday visits to Louie’s? How long had Maria been in town?
Manon filled a glass with water. “How can you deny Jamie’s your son? What are you going to do about him?”
Jay dropped his fork on the table. “What did she tell you? How did she choose the same restaurant?” Though he asked, he knew the answer. Disappointment made him groan. Maria and the boy had been in Fern Lake long enough to learn all she could about him and his family. She was no different from Delores.
Manon’s green eyes frosted. “She lives in the apartment complex. Louie’s is a short walk for a small boy.” She glared. “He’s as greedy for black olives as you are. No way can you deny he’s your son.”
Jay lifted his fork. “I can’t be sure. You only met Delores once. She knew every trick and I bought them all. Maria is her sister. I need to know if this is a scam.”
Rafe nodded. “Sensible. I liked her though and she will be working at the hospital. I’m sure she was vetted.”
“I need proof of her reason for arriving in Fern Lake.”
Rafe raised his beer. “How do you plan to learn?”
“I hired a detective, the same one who brought the news of Delores’ death. Maria said the boy was delivered at the hospital.”
“Possible,” Manon said. “She does need help.”
“I offered to pay for his pre-school.”
Manon set her glass on the table. “I’m glad. Don’t lose your chance to know Jamie by being stubborn.”
Jay shrugged. “I’ll wait until I’m sure.” Maria’s smile flashed in his thoughts. His hands fisted. No way would she trick him the way her sister had.
Chapter 3
Maria tapped her foot in an impatient rhythm against the dark blue living room carpet. Another day and no call on her cell or land line from Mr. Jay Arrogant Lockley. He’d promised to pay for Jamie’s pre-school and after-care but he hadn’t responded. She’d vetted the schools on Tuesday and found three willing to take him even though the term was ending. She’d called him and repeated the call several times a day since then.
What was wrong with him? She’d done all the work. Of the three choices, she preferred the most expensive. If he would call, Jamie would be set and she could start work next Monday. She picked up the applications. All filled out. All he had to do was call one of the three, give the invoice number and pay.
With a groan, her anger quotient spiked and flew over the top. As soon as Jamie woke from his nap they were invading that house again.
As though her wish conjured him, Jamie dashed into the room. “I’m awake.”
“So I see.”
“Why you look so mad?” Anxiety gathered in his eyes.
Maria released a sigh. “Never with you.” She ruffled his dark curls. “We need to visit the big house again.” During the past week Jamie hadn’t mentioned his dad.
He shook his head making his curls bounce. “Don’t want to go there.”
“I know but I must talk to him.”
“Why?” He thrust out his lower lip.
“So you can go to the school with the music.” Was the expense the reason the man hadn’t called. She’d decided to put the other forms aside. He could pay for Jamie’s choice.
Jamie jumped from the couch and grabbed her hand. “You mean the one where I can play the big piano?”
Maria laughed. “And learn reading, writing, math and other things.”
He tugged on her hand. “Music, you forgot.”
“I didn’t. Just reminding you there are millions of things to learn.”
“I will.” He tilted his head. “Could we take some candy so he won’t be so sour? Nana would say he was.”
“So she would.” How she wished establishing a relationship with Jamie’s father would be simple. She folded the application and put it in her large bag. “One toy. We won’t be there for a long time.”
He pulled the musical top from the toy chest. “The cat watched the last time. Maybe I can catch him.” He ran to the door. “Do you think we’ll hear the piano music?”
“We might.” Even if she had to barge into the music room, she would settle this school matter today.
Jamie turned. “Why does he play music all the time? Is he practicing to be on TV?”
“He makes songs for other people to play and sing.”
“Just like I do but mine are just for me.” Jamie tugged on her hand. “Are you sure he’s my dad?”
“Yes.” One day the man would admit the truth..
Jamie bolted to press the elevator button. “Then he can teach me how to make my music thick and how to put it on the paper you showed me.”
Maria remembered the day she’d shown him a piece of sheet music. His eyes had widened when she’d played what she’d hoped were the right notes.
The elevator door opened. Jamie jumped in. “If he’s my dad do I have to live with him?”
She shook her head. “I want you to live with me.”
“Okay.”
They reached the car. She fastened him into the child’s seat. What would she do if his father decided to seek custody? She didn’t want to lose her nephew but Jay Lockley could make a good case for custody.
Before long she parked the car in the circle at the top of the U-shaped driveway. Clouds gathered in the
sky and in her heart. She wanted the best for Jamie but she wasn’t ready to let him go. For four years she’d been his playmate, his friend and his surrogate mother.
The moment she unfastened the seatbelt, Jamie bolted toward the garden gate. He opened the fastening and ran toward the music room. His top moved sending occasional notes into the air.
“Jamie, stop.” Maria chased him.
“Want to watch.”
Music flowed through the open doors. Maria stumbled on the uneven flagstones and nearly fell. Jamie dropped the top and continued forward. He dashed into the room.
Maria’s foot hit the spinning top and an uneven stone. She fell and held in a yell. Jamie ducked around his father, touched one of the keys and then another.
“Jamie.”
Crashing notes hid her call. Jay rose and loomed over Jamie. “Do you know what you’ve done?”
Maria inched toward the door. Would Jay harm his son?
“Fixed the music.” Jamie hit two notes. “They are wrong.” He struck two more. “These are right.”
Using the door frame, Maria struggled to stand. The moment her right foot touched the ground, she cried out. Had she broken a bone? “Jamie, come here.”
Jay turned to face her. His face contorted into a scowl. “Do you always let him do what he wants?”
"Jamie, come here. We’re leaving.” She decided to find a sitter rather than depend on the angry man facing her. “No, I don’t.” Tears filled her eyes. “Jamie, I need you to help me.”
The child turned. His hands fisted on his hips. “You’re mean. Don’t want you for a dad.”
“Don’t…” Jay began.
“Stop it,” Maria snapped. “He’s only four years old.”
“Take him away,” Jay said.
Jamie ran to her. “Don’t like him. Don’t want a dad. Want to go home.” He threw his shaking body into her arms.
Her right foot hit the ground. The jarring touch brought pain and she gasped. “It will be all right.” Using Jamie’s shoulder, she hopped to the piano bench and sat.
“Just go,” Jay bellowed. “I’ve work I must complete.”
“If I could walk we would be gone.”
“What’s wrong?”
Had she heard a note of concern in his voice? “I was chasing Jamie. I tripped and fell.” She met his glare with her own. “I’m not leaving until I learn why you broke your promise.”
“What promise?”
Jamie patted Maria’s cheek. “Why are you crying?”
“I fell.”
“Sorry.”
Jay arched a brow. “How convenient.”
He hadn’t seen the accident. His back had been toward her when she’d stumbled. “I wouldn’t be here if you’d answered any of my phone calls.”
His hands fisted. “I’ve been working for hours at a stretch. Everyone knows when I’m composing the phones are off and I see no one.”
“How was I to know that?” She studied his rumpled clothes and the blond stubble on his face. “I asked and you agreed to pay for pre-school for Jamie. I vetted the places and told you about the three I felt were the best. I start work in a week. You need to keep your promise.”
He stared at the floor. “I always do. Give me the name of the one you like the most and I’ll call.”
“When?” She could imagine him returning to the piano and forgetting.
“Now.”
“Then it’s Fern Lake Academy.” She handed him to application. “The phone and invoice numbers are on the form. They prefer a credit card.”
He grabbed the paper and went to a desk and searched in a drawer. “I’ll call. Will you go?”
Maria tried to stand. She eased her right foot to the floor. Pain shot from her ankle up her leg. She bit her lower lip. “I can’t.”
“What?”
“When I tripped I twisted my ankle and I can’t stand.”
Jay scooped her into his arms and carried her toward a door into the house. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I thought the pain would go away. Jamie, get your top and my bag.”
She leaned against Jay’s shoulder. Conflicting emotions warred. This man had denied his son. She felt comfortable and more in his arms. Desire warred with anger.
Not going to happen. She would not be attracted to Jay Lockley. She needed his financial help for Jamie’s school. Nothing more.
* * *
Jay held Maria against his chest and fought the sensations storming his body. Like a tidal wave lust rushed through him. He desired Maria, had since she’d appeared on his doorstep but her resemblance to her sister warned him to ignore the attraction. What did she want? Was she looking for more money? He was ninety-nine percent sure Jamie was his son. Why had she waited four years to bring the child to him? Had she even tried to find him after Jamie’s birth?
He had been hard to find. Once he’d learned Delores had died he had wandered the country seeking the muse who had deserted him. For months he’d lived a restless life ending in Seattle where Manon had been in med school. She’d called him a jerk. He had returned to Fern Lake and become a near hermit.
When he and Maria reached the kitchen, he sat her in a chair and grabbed some towels to pad another chair. The child followed them.
“Aunt Ria, are you okay?”
She stroked his cheek. “I will be soon.”
Jay went to the freezer and filled a plastic bag with ice cubes. He placed the bag on her ankle. The scent of vanilla wafted into his space.
What should he do now? She attracted him in ways her sister never had. Where had this desire to take care of her and the boy arisen? He knew little about Maria and had no reason to trust her. If only he could believe she was different from Delores.
He touched her swollen ankle. She flinched. He straightened. “You need to see a doctor.”
She released a long sigh. “I think so, too.” She looked around. “Where’s Jamie?”
“While I was fixing the ice he ran outside.”
“The gate’s open. What if he leaves the garden?”
Jay walked to the screen door. “He’s fine. Spinning the top and watching the cat.”
“Thanks. Since you promised to call the school and arrange tuition, we won’t bother you any longer.”
Jay noticed her flushed cheeks. Did he bother her as much as she did him? He reached for the phone and made the call. “The billing office. This is Jay Lockley. I’d like to pay some tuition…Jamie Russo…Invoice number 720…Yes…” He rattled off the numbers of a credit card. “For the rest of this year and the summer session.” He disconnected. “You’re in.”
“Thank you. Jamie will enjoy the music program. He wants to play the big piano.”
Jay chuckled. The child had been right about the notes. “How’s your ankle?”
“Cold and numb.”
“Do you think you can leave so I can get back to work?”
She nodded. “Jamie, we’re going home.”
The child struggled to open the screen door. Jay laughed. The boy lugged his top and a huge gray and white cat. “Aunt Ria, he likes me. Can I keep him?”
Maria shook her head. “The cat lives here and belongs to Mr. Lockley. Taking him would be stealing."
Jay’s forehead furrowed. She sounded sincere. Did this mean he could trust her? “Shadow does live here. I see he likes you but he’s my friend.”
Maria put her arm around the child’s shoulder. “Ready to go?”
“Couldn’t I stay and play with the kitty?”
Maria shook her head. “Not today unless…” She shook her head. “Never mind.”
What had she been about to suggest? Did she want the boy to stay here? He studied the pair. The boy had the same coloring and features as Maria but his eyes were familiar. Part of him wanted to claim the child. He hoped to hear from Amos soon. Shadow’s acceptance surprised him. The huge cat seldom allowed anyone to touch him.
Maria put the bag of ice on the table. She lowered
her leg and pressed her hands on the table and tried to stand. She sank back. “I don’t think I can walk.”
“I’ll carry you to the car.”
She raised her chin. Tears glistened in her warm dark honey eyes. “I can’t drive either.”
“Then I will.”
Maria nodded. “You can take me to the ER since I’ll need X-rays. I don’t know how long that will take but someone will need to stay with Jamie.”
“I have a better idea. We’ll go to Manon’s office.” He scooped her from the chair. Guilt filled his thoughts. If the muse hadn’t enthralled him, he would have made the calls. She wouldn’t have arrived and been injured.
At the front door, the boy ran ahead and turned the knob. Jay paused beside a silver sports car.
“This won’t work,” she said, “Jamie’s booster seat won’t fit.”
Once again he’d forgotten, not the child, but the laws about children in cars. He walked to the battered sedan parked in the circle. The boy trailed behind. After Maria was settled on the passenger’s seat, Jay opened the rear door. The hinges creaked. The door didn’t match the other three. Had she been in an accident?
The boy climbed onto a seat elevated on the rear one. Jay looked at the straps and buckles. “How do I fasten him in?”
“This way.” Jamie slid something over his head and clicked the ends into fasteners.
Jay groaned. A four year old teaching him a new trick. He memorized the way the vest locked. Next time he could manage. He strode to the driver’s side.
“ER,” Maria said.
He shook his head. “Manon’s office. Will be quicker, especially if this is a day her X-ray tech is there. Then you’ll have a local doctor. She can tell you about the pediatricians in the area and recommend one.”
“All right. Her office." She turned toward him. “There is a problem.”
“What?”
“How will you get home?”
“Either hitch a ride or call a cab after I drop you and Jamie at the apartment. It’s no big deal.”
He put the car in gear and drove to town. At the ranch house Manon had converted into her office, he parked in the widened driveway. After unfastening Jamie, he lifted Maria into his arms. Her nearness raised an itch he dare not scratch. He lifted her higher hoping she hadn’t noticed his engorged cock. How long had he been without a woman? Months, but music had become the focus of his life. He strode up the walk. The boy trotted beside him.
Melodic Dreams Page 3