by Carol Henry
“Make it ten, and I’ll be ready. I like your mother too much to disappoint her.”
“You might be sorry you admitted as much. Just don’t let her hear you say it, or your life won’t be your own.”
He tucked the bills back in the outside pocket of her purse. She didn’t bother to thank him or give any indication she knew he had given the money back. She turned and walked to her car.
Chad rushed on ahead and opened the back door so she could position the baby in the car seat. Neither spoke all the while she buckled Nina in, walked around the car, and slipped behind the wheel.
He stood in the cold, not able to take his eyes off her as she put the car in reverse, turned it around, and drove down the drive. A few fluffy white snowflakes lingered, floating lazily to the ground. His heart lurched. He had a strong premonition coming home for the holidays was going to cost him more than the broken engagement he’d left back in the city—and the two-hundred dollars he’d given Gabriella Rumsey.
Her car had long since disappeared before Chad, still standing outside in the cold, wondered just what it was about this woman that tugged at his heart. She was stunning with her sexy auburn hair cascading around her perfect oval face, and those green eyes—sparkling emeralds so deep he could get lost in them. There was something more, if he could only put his finger on it.
He smiled thinking about her stomping her feet and pointing her delectable finger at him when she had given him what-for in the middle of the street the other day. He’d had the strongest urge to take her finger between his teeth, wrap his lips around it, and give her something to think about besides her anger. Yep. Definitely more stunning when she’d shown her temper. But today? Today she reminded him of Tanya. Tanya who was only in love with his money. And thanks to Tanya, he vowed never to get close to another woman again.
Nope. He liked his life just the way it was—uncomplicated.
Chad shook his head, sighed and walked back inside the house. The sooner he climbed inside his laptop and lost himself in edits for his next Dean Reynolds novel, the sooner he’d be able to take his mind off his mother’s new nursemaid.
Chapter Four
There was no disguising the wail of a hungry baby. Gabriella rushed to the refrigerator, got one of the already prepared bottles of formula, and put it in a pan of water to warm on the stove. She rushed back to the bedroom, picked up the crying infant, and laid her over her shoulder and rubbed her back.
“Shhh, Sweetheart, milk is on the way,” Gabriella cooed, bouncing Nina up and down on her way back to the kitchen.
It hadn’t taken Gabriella long to figure out the difference between Nina’s whimper, whine, or wail. The baby had her well and truly trained. And she’d learned to make sure things were ready well in advance so she could deal with whatever situation Nina presented as soon as it arose. But she didn’t mind in the least. Nina was the cutest fuzzy-headed, brown-eyed baby girl she’d ever seen.
And she was hers.
Gabriella tested the milk on her wrist. Satisfied it wasn’t too hot, she padded into the living room, chose one of the comfortable easy chairs and sat down with Nina in her arms for feeding time. Gabriella was surprised at how active and alert her niece had become at three months old. Staring at those beautiful brown eyes staring back at her while Nina’s rosy pink lips captured the nipple and sucked to her heart’s content warmed her insides. It was hard for Gabriella to imagine what she had done before Nina. True, the initial phone call from the police informing her of her sister’s accident had changed her world in a heartbeat. There was grief, but now there was also a joy she wouldn’t have dreamed possible given the circumstances.
Once half the milk had disappeared inside the small infant’s belly, Gabriella laid her over her shoulder and proceeded to burp the wiggly infant. She took the opportunity to change Nina’s diaper before she snuggled the baby back in her arms to finish feeding time. She switched to a rocking chair to settle the baby over her shoulder in hopes that she’d fall asleep more comfortably. Gabriella liked this time best. Nina got her undivided attention. She desperately wanted Nina to know she was loved.
Softly, Gabriella sang her favorite Christmas Carols. First Away in a Manger, then Silent Night, then Oh, Come All Ye Faithful. Nina’s eyes drooped during the last refrain.
The door opened and Gabriella looked up to find Mindy standing in the doorway. Nina stretched and started cooing.
So much for naptime.
“You’re back early. How’d the job interview go?”
“You aren’t going to believe me,” Gabriella said. She untangled Nina’s tight fist that had knotted her bangs, and gave her an affectionate kiss on the forehead. She relaxed Nina in her lap, then brushed her hair aside.
“Try me,” Mindy said. She took Nina’s hand. Nina clutched Mindy’s hand in a tight fist with her pudgy fingers and held on tight, then proceeded to gurgle and coo. “She’s such a darling.” Mindy smiled, and raised her eyebrows at Gabriella in question. “Come on. Give. What happened?”
Being in the Hempstead’s home this afternoon had brought back melancholy memories reminding Gabriella of her own family. She missed them so much. The love and warmth the Hempsteads shared with her was overwhelming. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Things are looking up. Sort of,” Gabriella said. Mindy wasn’t convinced. She continued. “You know about the first two interviews not going so well. And that I wasn’t looking forward to the last one. And it didn’t help when I arrived rather late because of the darn traffic.”
Gabriella wrestled with the baby, who wiggled, now wide awake and ready to play. Bouncing her on her knee wasn’t an option so soon after finishing a full bottle, so Gabriella pacified her by letting her try to stand. Which proved to be more wobbly, so she put her over her shoulder again and rubbed her back.
“When I got to the last interview, things were going great. Mr. and Mrs. Hempstead are a wonderful couple. They offered me the job and even invited me to move in with Nina.”
“That is so cool, Gabby. Wow.”
“Yeah, too good to be true.”
“You took the job? Right?”
“I almost didn’t. At first I did, but then I turned it down.”
“What?”
“It was the strangest thing. I was having tea and being offered the job when this man who rammed into the back of my car the other day showed up. Of all people, he just so happened to be the Hempstead’s son. Chad, short for Chadwick—he’s a junior. And, the cretin accused me of being after more money.”
“Wait a minute. Whoa. Back up. What’s this about someone ramming into the back of your car? When did this happen? You never mentioned anything about an accident?”
“Must have slipped my mind after the break up with Charles.”
“So tell me more about this man who bumped into your car.”
Gabriella gave Mindy the low-down of the accident.
“The jerk stuffed two-hundred dollars in my hand and took off without exchanging insurance information. Apparently, he’s home for the holidays—staying with his parents. He accused me of tracking him down to extort more money out of him. Like I said, at first I was going to refuse the job. Actually, I did turn down the job. But Mrs. Hempstead ignored me. And, well, I guess I got a little indignant with their son and refused to let him intimidate me. Especially, after what I went through with Charles. I had Nina to think about, so I made up my mind to take advantage of the Hempstead’s offer and to heck with their cranky son.”
“Good for you. Did you inform him you weren’t after his money?”
“Who cares what he thinks. Mr. and Mrs. Hempstead remind me of my parents. They made me feel like I was coming home again.”
“Are you sure you can handle this? You’ve been through so much lately.”
Gabriella gave Nina a gentle pat. The baby nestled her head in Gabriella’s neck. She lowered her voice. “I need the job and the money is good. It will help me with all the legal paperwork. Besides, fro
m what Mrs. Hempstead said her son won’t be staying past Christmas. I’ll only be there a few more weeks afterward. If he wants to think I’m out to milk him for every penny he’s got, that’s his business.”
“You’ve had quite an afternoon. You go girlfriend!”
“I’ll be moving out of the apartment on Friday. As soon as I get Nina settled for the night, I’ll pack a few of my things. With you and Trish going home over break, we can sublet as planned, if that still works for you.”
“Works for me either way. I’m sure Trish won’t mind. She should be back before long. We’ll ask her. Are you going to have time to study for your last exam?”
“Yes. The last one is Thursday morning. I have a paper due for another class, which is almost finished. I should be able to work on it later tonight after I put Nina to bed.”
“Good thing you don’t put things off till the last minute.”
So was Gabriella. Never one to procrastinate, she was ahead on all her assignments and reports. If she could get through the rest of the week, she would be able to move in with the Hempsteads without much stress on Friday.
“I wish I could be of more help, Gabby. You know my funds are limited, too.”
“I know, Min. I appreciate the offer. You’re a good friend and I’m thankful for all the help you and Trish have given me since Nina came into my life. I don’t know what I would have done without you both.”
“Ah, shucks, Gabby. You’re going to make me cry.” Mindy wiped her eyes. “Are you sure you want to take this job? It doesn’t sound as if this man is going to make things easy.”
“Yes. I have a pretty good feeling about it even though it’s started on shaky ground.”
Yeah. Right. Already she had reservations about the arrangements, but she didn’t want Mindy or Trish to worry about her. They’d cancel their visits home and stay to help her out in a heartbeat if they thought she was in need. She couldn’t keep them from their families during Christmas.
“Right now, I’ll take any miracle I can get, even if they come with minor drawbacks.”
“I wish I could stay tonight and help you, but I can’t. I only returned to change clothes and head out again. Andy and I have plans for the evening.”
“Andy?”
“Don’t get excited, there is nothing going on. We both have a big exam Friday morning and need to do some extra research. Don’t worry, you’ll be the first to know if things change. Trust me, Andy doesn’t get his nose out of his books long enough to know I exist, let alone to know I’m interested in him. But I keep hoping.” Mindy wiggled her eyebrows and smiled. “There’s always hope.”
“Yes, well, I hope things work out.”
Gabriella truly meant it. Mindy was a wonderful person. If only Andy would wake up and take notice. She didn’t want Mindy’s relationship with Andy to end up like her relationship with Charles.
“Oh, Gabby. Here you are worried about me and my lack of a love life, when you have enough on your plate already. After what Charles did to you, too. The lout. I still can’t believe he was so horrible all because of such a sweet innocent baby. How could anyone not love her? You did the right thing by getting rid of him.” Mindy put her hands on her hips and shook her head.
They’d had this conversation before, and Gabriella was still stunned over the breakup. The rejection still hurt, although not as much as she assumed it would. What hurt the most was his attitude toward Nina—it was unforgiveable.
“I thought he loved me. Boy was I wrong.”
“It’s better you found out how he feels about kids now, rather than after you were married.”
“You’re right. I’m just glad I didn’t cave into the pressure of moving in with him when he asked several months ago.”
“He’s such a loser. He has no idea what he passed up.”
With Mindy and Trish gone for the evening and Nina down for the night, Gabriella made a cup of tea and settled in bed with her laptop to finish her term paper. But the idea of living with the Hempsteads over the holiday, and figuring out how to stay out of their son’s way, kept her awake most of the night. She recalled Mindy’s words—“Are you sure you can handle this?”
Right now she wasn’t sure of anything.
****
Dean Reynolds was in the middle of solving the crime of the century while still trying hard to keep his mind and hands off his ladylove. They had arranged a secret tryst for later that night and it was all Dean could do to keep his mind focused on the situation he’d suddenly found himself in. Pistol in hand, Dean had just opened the imposing, squeaking doors of the old Martin Mansion, ready to pull the trigger if he had to, and…
Nothing! Not a damn thing!
Chad’s mind shut down. With his recent manuscript, Devils Die Hard not going very well, his character Dean might just as well go in with a blank loaded in his gun and no back up. Hell. Lucinda was going to be lucky if she ever laid eyes on Dean again. Unlike Chad, who had no choice in the matter, he would be on Gabriella Rumsey’s doorstep at ten o’clock Friday morning whether he wanted to be or not—packing her up and moving her in down the hall. Well, hells bells, if nothing else, he could keep an eye on her, see what she was up to. If anything, Gabriella Rumsey was easy on the eyes. He’d notice right off, although once he’d seen she had a baby in tow, he’d put a halt on his feelings.
Chad shut his laptop and let out a long sigh. He’d arranged to meet Dennis at The Landing for a couple of beers, so wouldn’t have gotten very far on his novel tonight, anyway.
Resigned, he changed his clothes, told his father he was leaving, and drove down to the inlet.
The landing was crowded when Chad rushed though the swinging doors—the noise hit him like a sledgehammer. It’d been a while since he’d been here and it hadn’t changed in all the years he and Dennis had been coming. A nostalgic twinge hit in the pit of his stomach. Damn. The holidays were definitely getting to him. He was starting to let his emotions get the best of him, and that wouldn’t do.
Spotting Dennis at the bar, Chad headed in his direction.
The bar and grill was fashioned around boating, especially sailing, a popular sport up and down Cayuga Lake. Dark mahogany was everywhere, especially the bar itself—smooth from the constant rubbing of elbows and sliding of glasses, and the necessary washing and polishing with tender loving care. The entire establishment was decorated for the holidays.
Dennis stepped down off the tall bar stool and shook Chad’s hand.
“Folks let you out, did they?” Dennis smiled, just like old times.
“Yes. Mother said to say ‘hi.’” Chad drew even with a bar stool and simply slipped into it, his height not making it necessary to have to step up.
“So, what now? Why the visit home this year?” Dennis asked.
Chad ordered a beer before answering.
“I needed the break. All work and no play. You know how it is. What about you? When was the last time you took a vacation?”
“I haven’t been able to swing it. Your father keeps me busy at the office.”
“Maybe you should think about dating again. It’s been two years since Patti died. Maybe it’s time you moved on with your life?”
Dennis sighed. He took a long swallow of beer before setting the glass down on the coaster. “It’s not easy. You don’t fall out of love just because someone you love dies.” Dennis didn’t speak for a moment. “Besides, look at you. It took you a long time to get over Tanya.”
“Luckily, I wasn’t married to her. And I was the one who broke off the engagement. Although she likes to announce that she was the one who left me hanging. Of course that was after she raked me through the courts to try and clean out my bank account.” Chad drew in a steady breath. “Look, man. I’m sorry about Patti, but you have to get out there again. Start dating.”
“You think I haven’t had a date or two? I’ve tried.” Dennis hunched his shoulders. “What about you? You dating anyone?”
Chad could tell Dennis had jus
t changed the subject by turning the tables. Dennis and Patti had been married five years when she developed a rare form of cancer and within months had died in Dennis’ arms. They’d had the kind of love his mother and father shared—a lasting love. Much different than the kind of relationship between him and Tanya.
“No one serious,” Chad said. “And I don’t have any plans to get serious about anyone any time soon.”
“Then you’re prepared for the parade of ‘hopefuls’ to begin?” Dennis stated the obvious. “You’re leaving yourself wide open coming home without a girl on your arm.”
“I know. But I can handle it.” Chad chuckled, glad they were on less serious grounds.
“Good luck. Between your mother and Ethel, I’m damn well not betting on you.” Dennis lifted his long-necked bottle and took a long draw. Chad followed suit.
“That reminds me, you know the woman I told you about when I met you at the gas station the other day? The one with the baby whose car I bumped into?”
“The foot-stomping mother?”
They laughed, took another drink, and quietly contemplated their own musings for a moment.
“Yeah, her,” Chad confirmed. “Her name is Gabriella Rumsey. Imagine my surprise when I walked into my parents’ home and found her sitting there with her baby in my mother’s arms like it was just another everyday afternoon.” Chad proceeded to tell Dennis about the incident that had unfolded. “She already has them wrapped around her little finger. The baby, too. You know how my mother and Ethel are when it comes to babies. All you have to do is put one in front of them, and they’re all over it like melted chocolate!”
“So what’s this Rumsey woman got to do with your mother?”
“I think she’s out for more money from the accident.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Like I said, she was at my parent’s house when I got home earlier today. I walked in on them. My folks decided they need a nursemaid for my mother. They hired her. Invited her to move in with the baby. Can you believe it?”
“Uh-oh. You are so in deep doo-doo. I’m thinking cupid is about to be conjured up.”