“Took longer than I thought.” She drew a deep breath. “I’ll be faster with practice.”
Connie placed a clear plastic container and a waxed cup on the desk. “Didn’t know what you liked so I bought a turkey club and iced tea. The cafeteria food is great.”
Maria reached for her purse. “Thanks.”
“My treat. Welcome to Fern Lake General.”
“Thanks again.” Maria opened the container and took a bite. “Real turkey not processed.”
“Isn’t that great.”
As she ate Maria watched Connie show her how to access the charts from her desk. They entered the data on the first patient. Maria drained the last of the tea and went to see the third evaluation. When she finished she typed the assessment and recommendations. Then she joined Connie in the treatment room.
“Are you finished?”
“And beat. At least the day flew. Anything more we need to do? I need to pick up my pace.”
“That will come.” Connie stored hand weights. “You’ll sleep good tonight.”
“If Jamie lets me.”
“Your husband?”
“My four year old nephew. I’m his guardian.”
Connie sat at the table. “He’s the same age as my son. Maybe we can arrange a play date for Saturday. In September, Pete will start pre-school. Right now, my mother-in law watches him while I work.”
“A play date would be fun for Jamie but there’s not much room at the apartment for two active children.”
Connie grinned. “My idea. My house. We’ve a fenced yard and there’s a gym set.”
“I’ll talk to him tonight and let you know tomorrow.”
At five, Maria left and drove to the school. She found Jamie in the aftercare room. His excited chatter lasted until they reached the complex and the elevator.
“Sounds like you had a good day.” Maria opened the apartment door.
“Yes. I have five friends and one not-friend.”
“Jamie. Be nice to everyone.”
“Don’t like her ‘cause her mom asked questions about Dad and where I come from.”
“Do you mean the woman from the park?”
He nodded. “Her girl tries to boss everyone and cries when she doesn’t get what she wants.”
Maria’s shoulders tensed. Though she chided herself for the reaction, there was no way she and Jay could have more than a mutual concern for Jamie.
She opened the cupboard and made mac and cheese with chicken and broccoli for dinner. As they ate, she and Jamie talked about his day and hers. Jamie told her about his friends.
“Would you like another?”
“Sure.”
“The woman I work with has a son your age. She wondered if you would enjoy a play date with him.”
He clapped his hands. “Yes.”
“So you want to go.”
“I like new friends.”
Maria hugged him. “So do I.”
While Jamie played on the keyboard, Maria set out their clothes for the next day. After watching Nana’s favorite program she headed him to the bathroom and then tucked him in bed.
After a shower, she settled in the living room and turned on the TV. The phone rang. Hoping Jay called to hear about Jamie’s day, she smiled. The voice she heard made her stomach lurch. “What do you want?”
Carlo’s laughter brought an acid burn. “Money. Did you think I couldn’t find you and the brat?”
“H...how?”
“A man came asking questions about you and Delores. He didn’t know I was your brother. Thinks I’m your boyfriend. Seems Jamie’s father has questions about our family.”
“What did you tell him?” Anything her older brother had said wouldn’t flatter her.
“That you were the smartest of the family and how you schemed to be named the brat’s guardian. Said you had an eye for money.” He chuckled. “Told him you were clever enough to find Mr. Lockley.”
“What do you want?” She repeated her earlier question.
“An income for life.”
“Get a job. I have.”
“Don’t be a fool. He owes me. He owed Delores. I’ll get what I want. Don’t play goody-goody.”
“Just stay away."
“See you in a few days.”
The call on his end ended. Maria held the receiver until the dial tone made her head ache. What was she going to do?
* * *
After Jay left Jamie and Maria at the school, he returned to the house. He spent the day playing and notating the bits of melody he’d been hearing since finishing the paying projects. He wasn’t sure what they would become. He would wait and listen.
Mrs. Greene knocked and opened the studio door. She knew not to move anything unless he was there. She gathered a basket of dirty mugs and plates with the dried remains of partly eaten meals.
“Why don’t you ever eat what you bring in here?”
He shrugged. “I forget.”
“I’ve chores for you to do when you’re finished here. Gather your dirty clothes so I can wash them. Soon you’ll have nothing left to wear. And pay your bills.”
“I will. I planned to see Jamie and Maria this evening. He started school today. He stayed here last night and I took him to school.”
She patted his arm. “He’s a good boy and she takes wonderful care of him. Are you asking for custody?”
“I’d like that.”
“Have you told her?”
“Not yet.”
“Before you leap, you’d better find ways not to upset her. She’s been part of his life since he was born.”
Jay looked away. There was a way to gain custody and keep Maria in the boy’s life. He couldn’t pursue the idea until he heard from Amos. “You’re right about going slow. What do I know about raising a child?”
Mrs. Greene filled two cups with coffee. “You know how not to raise a child. If Jamie lives here, you’ll need to make major changes in your life, especially if Maria isn’t in town.”
Panic flooded his thoughts. If he took custody, would Maria leave? Had she come to Fern Lake for freedom? Was there a man waiting somewhere for her to be free of the child? Maria was beautiful, sexy and not meant to be alone. He gulped coffee.
“I’m working on changing my routine and to look on composing as a business.”
She laughed. “Is that possible? You’ll find some intriguing notes and forget the time. You need someone mean enough to yell stop until you listen. A small boy isn’t loud enough. You need a wife.”
Jay agreed but couldn’t admit his desire to anyone. He knew who he wanted. Maria was ever in his thoughts. The usual jeans’ tightening reaction brought discomfort. Damn. Until he knew the truth he couldn’t speak.
By the time he gathered his laundry and ate the last of the lasagna he was tired but he had another chore. He grabbed the stack of bills, booted the computer. One by one he paid. This done, he slumped in front of the TV. By now Jamie would be in bed. Tomorrow he would take dinner to them by arriving at the apartment before Maria started to cook. He left a note for Mrs. Greene. “Make a shepherd’s pie big enough for three.
* * *
The next day, he reached the studio at eight and explored the three themes he’d notated yesterday. A dozen variations of each were invented. Where would they lead? A concerto, a rhapsody or even a symphony? With a groan he flexed his aching hands. He really needed to pace himself.
After a shower, he grabbed the carrier with the casserole, strode to his car and drove to the apartment complex. Maria’s car stood in her spot. He felt the hood. Still hot. His plan should work. Before long he arrived at the door and rang the bell.
Maria answered. “Did I forget you were coming?”
He thrust the carrier toward her. “No. Just an impulse. Here’s dinner. Mrs. Greene’s shepherd’s pie. She says to sprinkle the cheese on the top and heat in the oven.”
She stepped back. “Did you take the day off?”
“I’m working on a ne
w schedule. Eight to four.”
“Good for you.”
He was hit by a charging child. “Dad, why did you come?”
Jay hoisted Jamie. “Brought dinner and wanted to hear about your two days at school.” He rubbed his hands.
“How many hours?” she asked.
“Six or seven. The same yesterday.”
“With rest between the sessions for an hour or two?”
“No.”
Maria shook her head. “Call Manon. If she won’t write a prescription for an OT eval, she’ll know someone who will. It’s for repetitive stress. I want to see you at the hospital by Friday. Do not work for longer than an hour without a break.” She carried the package into the kitchen. “Make the call.”
“Bossy.”
“Someone has to be. Call.”
He lowered Jamie to the floor and held up his phone. “I am.” Moments later after telling Manon what he needed, he clicked off. “She’ll call a colleague. I’ll stop by his office tomorrow. Are you happy?”
“For now. Go amuse Jamie while I set the table. Let him tell you what he learned today.”
Jay drew a deep breath. Should he question her again about her reasons for coming to Fern Lake? There were two possibilities and he dreaded both. Thoughts of the melodies she and Jamie inspired rose. The songs were filled with home and melodic dreams. He entered the living room and listened to Jamie’s chatter.
After dinner, he sat on the couch with Jamie and Maria. He had no desire to go home to an empty house. After Nana’s favorite program, Maria started Jamie’s bath. Jay lingered in the living room.
For an instant he thought of the fear he’d seen in Maria’s eyes when she opened the door. Questions he didn’t want to ask circled in his thoughts. He listened to Maria read a story to Jamie and followed her to the living room. She yawned.
“You tired?” he asked.
“Very. New job. Locating everything and discovering all I need to know on my own is tiring.”
“Why isn’t there someone to help you?”
“There is, sort of. The OT is out on maternity leave. The associate can only do so much.”
He touched her hand. “That’s tough.”
“I’ll persevere.” She yawned again.
Was something else bothering her? Something she hid from him? He rose. “I’ll go. Maybe we can do something with Jamie this weekend.”
“Not Saturday. He has a play date. What about Sunday?”
“Sounds good. At the door he brushed her lips with his. “Night.”
She touched his arm. “Don’t forget to make an appointment.”
“I won’t.” Jay used the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Was he nothing more than a man who needed therapy? He groaned. Why would she think otherwise since he’d let her know he didn’t trust her.
* * *
On Friday, Jay arrived at the OT Department. Maria ran him through the assessment. Once she finished she left him with Connie. He and Connie had nearly finished when Maria stepped into the treatment room.
Connie held a stress ball and a container of therapy putty. “You can use either or both. Remember to do the exercises I showed you at least once a day.”
Maria nodded. “There’s one more thing I can show you.” She opened the paraffin bath container. “Put your hands in one at a time.”
Jay followed her directions and heaved a sigh. “Marvelous. Can I buy one?”
“You can, but the important issue is to keep your hands and fingers from cramping by working in shorter periods and resting between sessions. Plus doing all the exercises.”
Jay looked away. Having a live-in hand massager would be even better. “I’ll try.”
“See that you do.”
“Bossy.” He winked.
Maria laughed. “When I’m trying to help, I am.” She looked at the clock. “Session’s over.” She turned to Connie. “Schedule him for next Friday so we can check his progress.”
He grabbed the stress ball and putty. “See you.”
When he arrived home, the answering machine flashed a message. He hit play and listened. His stomach knotted. Would the detective have the answers? For a moment he hesitated. Would the man confirm his worst thoughts? Did he really want to know? He hit redial.
“Hello.” The rasping voice sent chills over his skin.
“Jay Lockley here. What have you learned?”
“Your Maria Russo is the child’s legal guardian. She’s’ one smooth operator. Kind of a loner. Hard worker, good student, ambitious. Met a man who really wants to find her.”
“What about the brother?” Jay asked.
“Not to be found. Story around town is he went on a trip but no one knows for sure. This guy I met might know. I think he’s her current lover.”
“Are you sure?”
“No. Meeting him later but I could use a spot of cash.”
“Another grand should see this ended.” Amos laughed. “Funny how a bit of cash will open the information trail. My suspicion says the brother and sister are working together. Didn’t you say she was in Fern Lake?”
“Yes.”
“There’s your answer.”
Jay gripped the receiver. “Do you have proof?”
“Not yet.”
The dial tone sounded. He growled, dialed again but the call went to voice mail. Jay slumped on a chair. He needed to confront Maria. Would she tell him the truth? Would the idea of an investigator anger her? He feared so. Instead of calling her, he hit Manon’s number.
“Jay, what’s wrong?”
“The investigator called.”
“And?”
He told her everything the man had said. “I don’t know what to believe.”
“You’re an idiot. You’ve seen her with Jamie. Her love for him is evident.” She paused. “How much have you paid the investigator?”
“Around seven thousand five hundred.”
“You’re being taken for a ride. The man’s found some easy money. I don’t know why he didn’t know about the baby years ago. People would have remembered such a dramatic event. You need to forget the past and think about the future.”
Jay hung up. What Manon said made sense. He had to separate his thoughts about Maria from the lingering anger toward Delores.
Chapter 10
On Saturday afternoon, Maria drove Jamie to Connie’s house for the awaited play date. Anxiety rang in Jamie’s voice. Maria smiled. “Don’t worry so.”
“But will he like me.”
“What’s not to like?”
Jamie sighed. “He doesn’t know me and I don’t know him.”
“Maybe he’s as worried as you are.” Maria wanted to stop the car and hug him. “His mother says he’d excited about the visit.”
“What if I don’t have fun and want to come home?”
Maria parked the car in front of a red brick house with a fenced yard. “Connie has my number and can call me.”
“Okay.”
She released Jamie from his car seat and held his hand as they walked to the house. She rang the bell.
Connie answered. “Welcome. Glad you’re here. Pete was so excited he drove me crazy. I sent him outside.” She led them through the house to the kitchen. “Pete, Jamie’s here.”
A boy with light brown hair raced across the yard. “Hi, I’m Pete.”
“Jamie.” The boys studied each other with intent stares, reminding Maria of children at a toy store window trying to choose a present.
“Want to swing?” Pete asked.
“Sure.” Jamie darted outside. With whoops the pair raced to the swing set.
Connie laughed. “Off to a good start.” She filled two mugs with coffee. “Stay for a bit.”
“Not long.” Maria sipped the brew. “What time should I pick him up?”
“Pete wants him to stay for dinner. Six thirty should work.”
Maria put the mug down. "I really have to go. Four loads of laundry to fold and put away. Apartment to c
lean. Jamie undoes as fast as I clear.”
Connie nodded. “I’m fortunate. My mother-in-law hired a cleaning service for me. She’s been great.”
“Your husband…” Maria didn’t know how to ask.
“Army. Second tour. Afghanistan.” Connie walked to the door with Maria. “One question. I heard you stayed at Jay Lockley’s house. How did that go? If I wasn’t married…”
“I saw very little of him. He spends hour after hour in the music room playing the piano. You saw how tense his arm, wrist and hand muscles were yesterday.”
“Sure did. Do you think he’ll listen to you and do his exercises?”
Maria shrugged. “I hope so.”
Connie grinned. “He kept looking toward the office after you left us together. Are you sure there’s nothing going on?”
Maria looked away. “He’s Jamie’s father. I’m trying to give them a chance to bond.” She didn’t know Connie well enough to discuss the kisses and the sex.
“He needs an interest in something other than music.” Connie arched a brow. “Maybe a woman.”
Though Jay needed to become less driven, she wouldn’t be that woman, especially now. Carlo’s threat rang in her thoughts. A chill walked her spine. “See you at six thirty.”
When Maria entered the apartment her thoughts roiled with anxiety. How could she protect Jamie from her brother? Carlo had no right to expect money. He hadn’t contributed a cent or a moment of care for his nephew.
Maybe his threat was hot air. She could hope but Carlo, like Delores, thought of himself first. She needed a plan. Rising fear drove every plan into a dead end.
After cleaning the bathroom and kitchen she made the beds and vacuumed. She went to the living room and folded towels and bed linens. Connie’s words rolled in her thought. Don’t be a fool. He’s not for you. He would never move past the ghost of Delores. The resemblance was too strong. That hurt.
Unfortunately she had tumbled from attraction into love. Hopeless, fruitless, with every meeting making walking away harder.
She finished storing the linens in the closet. Then she began folding Jamie’s clothes. Hopefully the mindless task would keep her thoughts from the out of control feelings she had for Jay. What she craved was impossible. The wariness in the green depths could only show desire, never love.
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