by Carol Henry
Gabriella wanted to crawl under the chair with Nina and disappear.
Chapter Three
“You!” Chad blustered. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?” The unexpected Norman Rockwell-type family Christmas picture he’d walked in on crumbled around him. How the hell had she found out where he lived?
He waited for her reaction. Her shaking hands flew to her chest. Her eyes grew round. Damn, she was just as beautiful as he remembered. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her, but to see her here, with his family as if she belonged, made him wonder what she was up to.
“Don’t tell me, you’ve come to set up a date after all?”
“What? A date? What are you talking about?” she stammered.
“Don’t you remember? You certainly can’t be after more money. I gave you enough to take care of any damages I may have caused.”
“Money?”
“Yes, money. Do you have to repeat everything I say?”
Money. Of course she had to be after more money. With women it was always about money. Well, she wasn’t going to get any more of his money.
“Of course not—you’ve just caught me by surprise.”
“I just bet I have. So, how much are you asking?”
“Asking? I’m not after your money. I’m here to see about a job.”
“Job? What job?” Chad turned to his mother and father who were both staring at him as if he were an alien come to take over the world.
“Mom? Dad? What is she doing here? What job is she interviewing for?”
“This is your home? These are your parents?”
Chad glanced back at the shocked woman. He almost believed she was stunned at the news. But she didn’t fool him. Not for a minute. He’d been taken in by the best and this lady was not going to be the next in line to take him for all he was worth.
“Of course these are my parents. How did you find out?”
“I had no idea this was your home. You refused to give me your name, let alone any insurance or contact information.”
“Chadwick Junior,” his mother interjected. Ethel took the baby before she wheeled her chair forward, looking from him to this woman. “What is going on here? Why are you harassing this poor girl?”
Chad glanced down at his mother. “I’m sorry, mother. This is between this woman and…”
“Gabriella Rumsey,” his mother said.
He glanced at Ethel, who had the infant snuggled over her shoulder and whose smile warned him he should be wary. All he needed now was for these two women to start matchmaking again. Well, it wasn’t going to work. They had no idea what this woman was up to.
“Her name is Gabriella Rumsey.”
“It’s between Mrs. Rumsey and me.”
“You’re wrong, Son,” his father said. He walked over and stood next to his wife. “I don’t know what this is all about, but I think you’d better sit down so we can discuss it without upsetting Gabriella any further.”
“Wait a minute. What do you mean I’ve upset her? What about me?”
“Sit down and have a cup of tea and some of Ethel’s fresh-from-the-oven pumpkin muffins while they’re hot. I’m sure we can get this silly misunderstanding straightened out right away.”
“Misunderstanding? Job? Just what has been going on behind my back? You didn’t mention anything about posting a job. I’ve been here several days already and you’ve kept this from me? Just what is going on?”
“Nothing has been going on behind your back, Son. Now come on over here and sit down like your mother told you,” his father said. “Your mother and I talked it over and agreed it would be useful to have someone to keep her company during the day while I’m at the office. You know, someone to help her out once in a while when no one else is around. It’s not easy being in a wheelchair.”
“Yes, and we’ve had the nicest chat with Gabriella and have offered her the position.”
“Wonderful,” his father said. “You’ve already met Gabriella and her baby, so no introductions are necessary.”
“It wasn’t an official meeting,” Gabriella spoke up.
She sounded guilty as hell.
She sat back down, perched on the edge of the chair as if prepared to make a hasty exit. He found it difficult to take his eyes off her. She appeared to be genuinely shocked to see him. Was it an act? Was she up to no good? She had to be after more money. Just like all the others. Why else would she be here?
“Now my dear, why don’t you tell me what this is all about,” his mother said.
Chad started to answer when he discovered, to his chagrin, his mother had directed the question to Gabriella.
“We were involved in a little fender-bender the other day. There was no damage, so your son didn’t feel it necessary to exchange information.”
Her emerald eyes turned a deep jade. He enjoyed watching her fidget when he countered with his own version.
“She slammed on her brakes without warning, and I hit the back end of her car. And before you ask, Father, it was an accident and there was no damage, so it wasn’t necessary to exchange information or involve the police.”
“I knew there was an easy solution to this little misunderstanding,” his mother said, snuggling the sleeping baby closer to her chest. She looked down at the infant, then back up. “You see, Chad? Gabriella had no idea this was your home. She’s here to apply for the position we posted. Aren’t you, my dear?”
Chad looked at the baby in his mother’s arms and scowled. She was too affectionate toward the sleeping bundle, too protective. He got the strangest feeling in the pit of his stomach. Just what was this woman and her baby doing already ensconced in his parents’ home? And their affections?
Chad picked up a muffin, took a big bite, swallowed, and turned to the woman sitting in his mother’s home as if she belonged. She looked back at him with uncertainty written all over her lovely face. Her glowing cheeks from several days ago were now drawn and pale. She looked weary and ready to bolt. A momentary tug on his heartstrings caused him to take another swig of his tea. The scalding liquid burned all the way down and hit the pit of his stomach with a vengeance. Damn. He wiped at the sweat beading on his forehead.
Dean Reynolds wouldn’t be caught dead in this situation. Hell, Dean Reynolds wouldn’t be sitting around drinking tea and eating muffins like a momma’s boy. He was more of a Scotch on the Rocks kind of guy—very suave, very sure of himself, and nothing at all like the fool he had all of a sudden turned into. Why couldn’t he be more like his number one best-selling character?
“I’m sure you’d be happy to help with all the arrangements,” his mother said.
Chad choked on his muffin. “What?” Just what had he missed? He looked up to find Gabriella Rumsey standing, holding her baby, preparing to leave. Good. The sooner she left, the better.
“Chad? You will help with the arrangements, won’t you?” his mother asked, her voice louder than normal, as if he were deaf.
“Arrangements?” He swallowed another chunk of pumpkin muffin and washed it down, this time with a careful sip of tea. “What arrangements?”
He cleared his throat and jumped out of his chair. Shit! Hot tea sloshed onto his favorite teal wool sweater and penetrated clear through to the skin. He ignored it, not wanting to appear any bigger of a buffoon than he’d already been.
“What? What arrangements? Are you two settling out of court?” He faced Gabriella, scowled, then turned back to his father. “What did you settle on?”
“Whatever are you talking about?” his father asked, eyebrows raised. “I understood you to say there were no damages?”
“Chad? Why didn’t you tell us,” his mother tisked. “My dear, Gabriella, I hope you and Nina are okay. If you need anything, you must let us know.”
“Honest, Mrs. Hempstead, your son gave me more than enough money the day of the accident,” Gabriella assured her.
Chad gave the woman credit for trying to win his parents over. Right down
to the slight crack in her voice.
He wasn’t buying it.
“I gave her two hundred dollars for a little bit of a dent,” Chad chimed in. He ran his hands through his hair. What was it with his parents all of a sudden? Couldn’t they see what this woman was up to? “You should see her car. It isn’t worth fixing. I’m surprised it’s still on the road.”
“Junior!” his mother reprimanded with his nickname from his younger years. “The least you can do is act like a gentleman. To make up for your carelessness, you can help her move in this Friday.”
“Move in? Friday?” He couldn’t make head nor tails of this entire disjoined conversation. Now the woman was moving in? No way in hell was he going to let this woman move into his parents’ house. No way! And definitely no way in hell was he going to help her move in.
“Move in?” he repeated. “Isn’t this a bit sudden? Perhaps she should come daily until you see if she suits, if you feel the need to hire her. Have you checked her references? What do you know about her? Can you trust her? Have you interviewed other applicants?”
“Now, Chad. Shush,” his mother chided. “Of course we can trust her. We’ve had a nice long chat, and your father and I both agree we feel very comfortable with the arrangement. Besides, there are several empty bedrooms upstairs. Gabriella and Nina can have Jodi’s old room, it’s plenty big enough. It’s not like you’re going to stay over the entire holidays, now is it? I know how you hate all our holiday parties. Gabriella and Nina will be great company for me, and a big help for Ethel.”
“The baby?” Chad had to put an end to this now. “How can she take care of you if she has a baby to take care of? Where the hell is her husband?” Chad ignored the guilt trip his mother was laying on him about the length of his stay. It’d been a few years since he’d made it home for the holidays. What with her and Ethel’s matchmaking tendencies, it was much easier to stay away as much as possible.
“Now, Chadwick Michael Hempstead Jr., you’re just being rude and I won’t have it. Your father and I are not feebleminded. We’re good judges of character. And, we’ve made up our minds.”
Chad wasn’t sure about the good judges of characters. He’d been set up with a few doozies over the years, one of the main reasons he’d stayed away during the Christmas holiday. There was always a party or two where his mother would invite several single women in hopes something would come of it. But he caught the knowing look in his mother’s eyes.
He had just lost the battle.
This woman and her baby better not be one of his mother’s ‘hopefuls,’ otherwise, there was no way he would stick around any longer than it took to drive back to the Big Apple. Having to face his ex-fiancée was looking better than hanging out here during the holidays.
****
Gabriella looked back and forth between mother and son. It was obvious this arrangement was not going to work. She didn’t care how much she needed money right now, Chadwick Michael Hempstead Junior was here for the duration, and no way was she going to subject herself to his presence. It was no secret he thought she was after the family jewels. She’d go back to the employment agency and beg for help. She lifted Nina up over her shoulder, gathered her purse, and stood, prepared to leave.
Dog walking was beginning to sound like the job of the century.
“You can have your money back.” She dug in her purse with her free hand. “What’s left of it, anyway. I had to buy formula and diapers. Now I know where you live, I’ll pay back the rest when I get it.” She turned to Mr. and Mrs. Hempstead, “I’m sorry, I don’t think this position will work out after all.”
Gabriella couldn’t find the money. She dug deeper into her bag. Her hands shook. Her fingers finally connected with the rolled up wad of twenties. She plucked it out in an unintentional dramatic sweep. Cash flew across the room and scattered to the floor.
Right at Chad’s feet.
Gabriella cringed. Heat burned her cheeks. Chad looked down at the money. Silence filled the room. Gabriella blinked, mortified. She turned away from the silent couple staring at the pathetic scene she had just created.
The front door seemed miles away.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Hempstead,” Gabriella said again, shaking her head. “I’ll ask the agency to send someone else to interview.”
Luck was not smiling down on her today.
She was halfway to the door when Mrs. Hempstead called out.
“Wait.” She turned to her husband. “Chadwick. Do something. Don’t let her leave. We haven’t settled on a time for Chad and Sean to help her move in on Friday.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Hempstead. I’m afraid my staying here is only going to cause friction between you and your son. You don’t need additional frustration in your condition, and especially over the holidays.”
And neither did she.
“Now, Gabriella, come on back and sit right down here so we can work this minor snafu out. Don’t let my son’s present behavior bother you. He really is a very nice boy when you get to know him. He’s just been under a lot of stress lately and needs a break. This isn’t like him at all.”
“Mother,” Chad’s scolding tones flew right over his mother’s head. “Mrs. Rumsey is right. Perhaps you should reconsider.”
“Chadwick Hempstead,” his mother admonished. “You owe Gabriella an apology. Now, give her back her money.”
Chad’s jaw tightened, his fists clenched at his sides. Gabriella’s own face would be double shades of pink with chagrin if she weren’t already embarrassed by his words and his mother’s reprimand.
No way did Gabriella want his apology. “Mrs. Hempstead…”
“My dear. Call me Helen.”
“Helen. There’s no reason for your son to apologize. I understand.” A forced apology from this man would be meaningless.
Gabriella looked up at Mrs. Hempstead’s son and studied him. His low opinion of her stung. It wouldn’t hurt for him to at least offer an apology, however insincere.
Nina whimpered. Dear Lord. She had a baby to consider. She needed this job. Perhaps she’d been too hasty in turning down Helen’s offer. Okay, so she’d let her feelings get in the way. She shouldn’t let their testy son’s suspicious mind influence her. This job was an ideal opportunity to be close to Nina and still earn some money, not to mention there were no other jobs available right now.
That settled it. She’d take the job. She’d move in. Apology, or no apology, from “Junior.” After all, she wouldn’t be working for him. She’d be working for his parents.
“Helen, I’ve changed my mind,” Gabriella spoke before she could change her mind again. “I accept the position. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
Chad’s jaw dropped. She didn’t care. His eyes pierced hers. She took a moment to savor, with glee and much satisfaction the knowledge that she’d just gotten the better of him.
“My dear, Gabriella,” Helen said, practically doing a Snoopy dance in her wheelchair. “It will be our pleasure to have you and Nina stay with us. Now, don’t fret. We’ll have you settled in no time at all. Won’t we Chadwick?”
Mr. Hempstead beamed. “Junior,” on the other hand, looked as if he had no idea how to smile. It was obvious unhappy didn’t even begin to describe his emotions at this moment. His eyes narrowed. If it was meant to dissuade her, he could stand and glare till he was blind. It wasn’t going to work.
“Thank you. Friday works for me,” she said. “If it fits in with your son’s schedule, of course.” “Junior” could scowl all he wanted. She’d had enough of being intimidated by Charles—she wasn’t going to let this man intimidate her as well. She’d done nothing wrong.
“Friday is perfect,” Helen said. “It’s all settled. Chad will see you and your adorable baby to your car.”
“Thank you, Helen, but I can see myself out. You’ve both been very kind.” She excluded “Junior” in her appreciation and her goodbyes on purpose.
“Nonsense. It will be our pleasure to have you
and Nina here,” Helen crooned again.
The woman was full of tenderness and caring.
Tears threatened.
****
Chad glared at his mother, hoping she’d get the message. But her hands were pointing toward the rebellious woman holding the baby. His mother gave a stern nod, her eyes telling him in no uncertain terms what was expected. God. He felt ten years old again. He hadn’t been in the house a full week and already his mother was ordering him around as if he were still a kid.
He loved his mother, but there were times…
Following Gabriella Rumsey to the front entrance, Chad grudgingly admitted he might have overreacted a bit. Hell, he’d overreacted a lot. It wasn’t like him to jump to conclusions, but seeing her so soon after the accident had shaken him. He hadn’t expected to see her ensconced in his parents’ home all nice and cozy. Having tea. Her baby on his mother’s lap as if it were her own grandchild.
The fire all aglow.
The halls all decked out with holly.
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and other spices he didn’t know scenting the air.
Damn. It had caught him off guard. Okay, so at first he’d been excited to see her. Then he’d gotten angry because she didn’t belong there. Or maybe it was because she looked as if she did.
Chad sighed. Stepped around Gabriella and grabbed the doorknob—the touch of the smooth metal, cool. He paused.
“My mother is right,” he said, looking into eyes a dark mysterious shade of jade. “I owe you an apology.”
She stood silent, the baby resting over her shoulder. She wrapped the blanket protectively over the baby’s fuzzy head with smooth tapered fingers and turned to leave.
No wedding ring. Chad’s eyebrows rose. Perhaps his parents were right. No wonder she needed a job—a single parent and working her way through college.
He opened the door. “I’ll see you at nine o’clock Friday morning.”
“You don’t have to do this. I can manage by myself.”
“If my mother wishes it, it’s a done deal. You don’t want to cross her.” He grinned and wondered what it was about this woman that made him blow hot and cold.