Tell Me a Story

by Dallas Schulze

  "If you're my daddy, how come you left me and Mama? How come you left us?"

  He chose his words carefully, knowing that what he said now could affect their relationship for a very long time to come. "Your mother and I had an argument a long time ago. She thought I was very angry with her and she thought I was going to stay angry forever. So, she took you and she left."

  "Were you mad?"

  "I... was angry for a little while but I got over it. Your mother just didn't realize that I'd get over it. After she left, I looked for the two of you but I couldn't find you. I never stopped looking, Becky."

  He waited a long time, hardly breathing. Had he said the right things? Was there something more he should have told her, some other way to say it?

  "Did your mother ever talk about me?" It was taking a chance to ask the question, but he had to know what Maryanne had told her.

  She shrugged without looking at him. "It always made her cry when I asked about you."

  He closed his eyes, and for an instant, it was as if Maryanne was standing in front of him. She'd been such a sweet pretty girl. It wasn't her fault that she just hadn't known how to grow up. Yes, he could imagine that she'd cried when Becky asked about him. He'd never doubted that, in her own way, she'd loved him.

  "We used to have a lot of fun together when you were little. You probably don't remember much of that."

  Her eyes flickered up at him and then away. "I remember you used to throw me up in the air. And sometimes you'd tell me a bedtime story. Only you'd read it out of a book. You didn't make one up like Mr. Flynn does. Mama had a picture of you that she'd show me sometimes only your hair was all streaky. Not one color like it is now."

  Rafferty ran his fingers through his iron-gray hair. "When your mother left, my hair hadn't gone completely gray yet. It runs in my family, you know. Your grandfather's hair was gray by the time he was thirty."

  "Grandfather? Do I have a grandfather?"

  "Sure. And a grandmother, too. And you've got two aunts and three cousins."

  Her eyes widened at this bounty of relatives. "All those?"

  "All those. That is, if you want me to be your dad."

  She stared at him for a long time. "I think I'd like that."

  Rafferty blinked, swallowing the hard knot in his throat. If his smile was shaky around the edges, he didn't think she'd care. He reached out one hand, careful not to expect too much too soon. Becky stood up and reached out to take his hand, her small fingers engulfed in his huge palm. She hesitated a moment, as if weighing him in some balance in her mind, and then she threw herself forward.

  Rafferty's arms closed around her and he buried his face in her sandy hair. She smelled of soap and baby powder. His chest ached as her arms went around his neck.

  He'd lost so much time with her. Three years gone never to be regained. He'd never lose sight of how lucky he was to have her back with him.

  It was after nine when all the inhabitants of the penthouse met up. Rafferty and Becky were in the kitchen cooking pancakes when Ann and Flynn showed up. Rafferty had his own theories as to who had slept where the night before, which was why he hadn't let Becky wake Flynn to announce that she'd found her father. When Flynn wandered into the kitchen, Becky pounced on him.

  "Guess what, Mr. Flynn. Guess what."

  "It's too early to guess anything, urchin. Are you helping Rafferty cook breakfast?" He eyed the pancakes cautiously. Rafferty grinned and waved the spatula.

  "Becky is only supervising this morning."

  "That's nice. Now, what is it I'm supposed to guess?"

  He sank into a chair, leaning his elbow on the kitchen table, his expression indulgent as Becky hopped up and down in front of him.

  "Rafferty is my dad. My real live dad. He and Mama had a fight and she left but he never stopped looking for us. Isn't that neat?"

  Flynn's smile was twisted as he reached out to ruffle her hair. There was a sharp pain in his chest as he looked at her. Just in the few weeks he'd known her, she'd grown so much. It hurt to think that he wouldn't be there to watch her grow and see her change.

  "That's great, Becky. I'm really happy for you."

  Rafferty flipped a pancake and then leaned one leg against the counter. "I've got reservations on a flight back to Denver late this afternoon."

  "So soon?" The protest came from Ann who'd come to stand in the doorway. It was clear that she'd heard Becky's news. Her eyes shimmered with quick tears, and Flynn had to resist the urge to go to her and put his arms around her. It wasn't as if they-hadn't known that this moment was coming. It was just that it was difficult to let go now that the time had come.

  Ann looked from Becky to Rafferty. He shook his head, his eyes understanding.

  "I don't see any sense in dragging things out. Goodbyes are best said quickly."

  "You're right, of course." Ann blinked, clearing her eyes. The smile she gave Becky shook around the edges but not enough for Becky to notice.

  "I'm really excited for you, Becky. I know you're going to love living with your dad."

  "Yeah. He says there's snow and everything." Clearly, the 'everything' wasn't nearly as interesting as the snow.

  "Denver isn't that far away. You guys should come visit us this winter. We'll go to Aspen for the skiing/'

  "Sure we will." Flynn looked at Ann, wondering if she'd noticed the way Rafferty automatically paired them. Wondering what she was thinking.

  ❧

  No matter how quickly said, the goodbyes were still painful. Becky had been part of Flynn's life a relatively short time, but she'd wound herself deep into his emotions. It wasn't easy to say goodbye.

  Rafferty refused Flynn's offer of a ride to the airport. A taxi was expensive, but it would save them all a painful parting in public.

  "You've got Frankie, don't you?" It was the second time Ann had asked the question, but Becky answered it again.

  "He's in Daddy's purse."

  Rafferty winced. "Carry-on luggage, pumpkin, not a purse." Ann smiled but her mouth shook and she had to bite her lip, half turning away until she controlled her expression.

  "Don't cry, Ann. You and Mr. Flynn will come see us soon, won't you?"

  "You bet we will, urchin." Flynn crouched next to the little girl, his eyes going over her face. "You take care of your dad, okay? And don't go getting lost in any snowbanks." He ruffled her hair, keeping his smile tacked in place. He stood up and held out his hand to Rafferty. "Take care of her. She's a pretty special kid."

  "I will." Rafferty shook hands with Flynn and then took Ann's hand, pulling her close to brush a kiss over her cheek. "Come and see us soon."

  "We will." Ann's smile was shaky but intact and she bent to hug Becky. "See you later, Becky."

  "Okay. Say goodbye to Oscar for me."

  "I will."

  Flynn leaned against the edge of the door as they walked to the elevators. Behind him, Ann swallowed a sob. His chest ached as the elevator door slid open. Rafferty stepped in but Becky hesitated. She turned around and Flynn smiled, lifting his hand in a casual wave. She stared at him for a long minute and then tugged her hand loose from her father's and ran back.

  Flynn dropped to one knee, catching her as she flew toward him, burying his face in her hair, breathing in all the sweet little girl smells that he'd grown to love.

  "I love you, Mr. Flynn." It was as if she'd only just realized that she was really leaving him behind.

  "I love you too, Becky." His voice broke on the words and he held her tighter. They stayed that way for the space of several slow heartbeats and then Flynn drew back. He smiled at Becky, reaching up to brush a tear from her cheek.

  "I'll come and visit you soon. I promise."

  "Will you tell me a story before I go to bed?"

  "You bet. But I bet your dad tells a pretty mean story himself." Becky looked over her shoulder at Rafferty, who was standing just outside the open elevator. She looked back at Flynn, torn between the excitement of a father and the security
Flynn represented.

  "Go on. You're going to miss your flight and then the two of you will have to walk all the way to Colorado."

  He turned her around and gave her a gentle push toward Rafferty. She took two steps and then hesitated, looking back at him. He smiled, hoping she wouldn't notice the unnatural brightness of his eyes.

  "Scoot, urchin." She looked at him a moment longer, her gray eyes full of uncertainty and then turned and ran to her father. Rafferty caught her hand in his and stepped into the elevator. Flynn stood up, watching as the elevator doors slid shut, closing Becky from sight.

  He shoved his hands in his back pockets, staring at the blank panels for a long time, blinking rapidly against the burning in his eyes. Behind him, Ann sobbed quietly.

  He turned at last to find her leaning against the wall, her eyes brimming over, one fist pressed to her mouth as if to hold back the sobs. He put his arm around her shoulders, leading her back into the apartment and shutting the door.

  "Come on. It isn't like we'll never see her again."

  "I know."

  "And it isn't as if she wasn't going to have a good home."

  "I know." She let him lead her to the sofa and settle them both onto the soft cushions.

  "Rafferty is a terrific guy."

  "I know."

  "So why are you crying?"

  "I'm going to miss her so much." The words came out on a hiccoughed sob and Flynn's heart twisted.

  "I know, love." He pulled her head to his shoulder and Ann collapsed against him, one hand curling around the edge of his shirt. "Go ahead and cry."

  She cried for a long time, crying out her grief over losing Becky, but also crying out the confusion that seemed to have taken over her life. Nothing fit into the neat patterns she'd devised for herself. Most of all, Flynn McCallister didn't fit into any pattern.

  When she lay still against him, he brushed the tangled hair back from her face. He dropped a kiss on her flushed forehead, tilting her face back to place another kiss on her still trembling mouth.

  "I must look awful." It was a measure of her exhaustion that she didn't try to hide her tear-streaked face.

  "Actually, you do look pretty terrible." Ann's eyes flew open in shock.

  "What?"

  "I said you look pretty terrible. Your eyes are red, your nose is red, your face is red. Actually, now that I think about it, your hair is red, too, so you look kind of coordinated. Everything matches. Think you could do it in purple?"

  Despite herself, Ann laughed, which was exactly what he'd been trying for. He ducked the pillow she swung at him.

  "Fiend."

  "Moi? I was simply agreeing with you. My mother always told me to agree with a lady." His face was the very picture of injured innocence and Ann laughed again.

  "What am I going to do with you?"

  "I could think of several possibilities." He waggled his eyebrows in a lascivious manner. She chuckled again but it died out on a sigh.

  "I really am going to miss her."

  "I know. I am, too." She settled back onto his shoulder, and he wondered if the position felt as right to her as it did to him.

  "I've never spent much time around children. I wonder if they're all as neat as Becky."

  "I doubt it, but Becky does tend to put parenthood in a new perspective."

  "Yeah." Ann sighed.

  They sat in silence for a long time, staring at the empty fireplace, their thoughts drifting. The grandfather clock chimed and Flynn cocked his head, counting each mellow bong.

  "Six o'clock. Their plane left fifteen minutes ago."

  There was another long silence. Flynn suddenly sat up, dislodging Ann from her comfortable position.

  "Where are you going?"

  "There's no sense in sitting here moping all night." He stood up as Ann pulled herself upright on the sofa, tugging her shirt back into place.

  "You're right. Becky is happy. We should be happy for her. I guess I'll go home. Oscar probably thinks I've died."

  Flynn felt a surge of panic. She couldn't go home. Not now. Not yet. He had the feeling that, if she went home now, they might never find each other again. Ridiculous, of course, but he never argued with a gut feeling. Becky had been the tie that bound them together. Now Becky was gone. Did they have anything left?

  "Dinner."

  Ann looked up at him, startled by the way the word came at her so forcefully. "Dinner?"

  "Dinner." He smiled crookedly, bowing low. "I would consider myself honored if you would dine with me this evening."

  "Like this?" She pushed her tangled hair back and stood up, looking down at her jeans and shirt. "I look like I've been dragged through a knothole backward."

  "How about if we meet in the hallway at eight. I know a great restaurant where the lobster is slathered in butter. I'll call and see if I can get reservations."

  ❧

  Two hours later, Ann stepped nervously out of her apartment. She felt like a sixteen-year-old going out on her first date. It had been years since she'd spent so much time fussing with her appearance. She'd tried on every garment in her closet, finally setting on an emerald-green silk sheath and matching silk pumps that added inches to her height. She'd brushed her hair ruthlessly, finally pinning it into a soft Gibson girl style, leaving tendrils loose to caress her neck.

  The time she'd spent was immediately forgotten when she saw the look in Flynn's eyes. He'd been waiting for her, leaning bonelessly against the wall. He straightened as she stepped through the door. Ann froze, feeling the butterflies in her stomach jump nervously. His eyes went over her, starting at the top of her head and working their way down to her elegantly shod feet and then reversing the journey.

  When his eyes finally stopped on her face, Ann felt her toes curl inside the narrow pumps. He was looking at her as if she were the most exquisite thing he'd ever seen. The blue of his eyes seemed to penetrate deep into her soul, leaving her weak and trembling.

  They stared at each other without speaking for a long, still moment. At last, Flynn walked toward her, his stride deliberate, his eyes never leaving her face. He stopped in front of her and Ann looked up at him. The dark suit made his shoulders seem wider than ever. Caught between his bulk and the thick door at her back, she felt vulnerable, deliciously feminine, excited and scared at the same time.

  "You are so beautiful."

  He reached for her hand, lifting it to his mouth, but turning it at the last minute so that his kiss landed in her palm. His mouth felt warm and dry against her skin and then his teeth closed over the fleshy area at the base of her thumb, nipping gently, sending a shiver up her arm. Ann closed her eyes, leaning back against the door when her knees threatened to give way.

  His lips touched lightly on the inside of her wrist, and then he placed her hand in the crook of his arm. She opened her eyes, wondering if she looked as dazed as she felt.

  "Your carriage awaits, madam."

  The Ferrari wasn't quite a carriage, but it served just as well. Closed in the intimate interior, they might have been alone in the world. They didn't speak much on the way to the restaurant. There didn't seem to be any need.

  The evening seemed to have a fairy-tale quality to it. The table was tucked in a dimly lit corner. The service was exquisitely unobtrusive; the food was beautifully prepared. The wine was smooth, slipping over the tongue like warm velvet. And Flynn's eyes couldn't seem to get enough of her.

  Never had Ann felt so cherished, so wanted. He made her feel as if she were the only person in the room. They talked about impersonal things: food, wine, books and movies. He listened carefully to her opinion on the least of subjects, making her feel that what she had to say was important to him. It was an amazingly seductive feeling.

  Ann ordered medallions of beef and Flynn ordered the lobster. When the meals arrived, he caught her looking longingly at his plate.

  "You should have ordered the lobster."

  Ann cut into her beef, finding it meltingly tender. "It's impossi
ble to eat lobster neatly and I don't want to end the evening with butter on my chest." She took a bite of beef and then looked up to find Flynn's eyes on the decolletage of her dress.

  "I'm sure I could think of some way to get it off." His eyes swept up to hers, and Ann forgot how to chew when she saw the hunger he made no attempt to conceal. She was grateful when he looked away. She swallowed without having the slightest idea what she'd just tasted.

  Flynn concentrated on his lobster, giving her a chance to slow her pulse. But it picked up again when he dipped a bite of his entree in butter and held it across the table to her.

  "You can't possibly get butter on your dress this way."

  Feeling self-conscious, Ann leaned forward and took the proffered tidbit. Her teeth sank into the succulent white flesh and she closed her eyes in ecstasy, savoring the buttery richness of it. When she opened her eyes, she found Flynn staring at her. The need there made her feel like a siren. Her eyes never leaving his face, she let her tongue come out, licking the butter off her lips with slow deliberation.

  Flynn's eyes blazed electric blue, making her wonder if she was starting something she wasn't going to be able to finish. She looked away, reaching for her water glass, though it was going to take more than water to quench the fire they were starting.

  "I should have brought the Mercedes."

  "Why?"

  "Because then I wouldn't have to wait until we got home to make love to you."

  The water glass hit the table with a thump as her eyes flew to his face. "What?"

  "You heard me. As it is, we'll have to wait till we get home. I'm a little old for the contortions the Ferrari would require. But once I get you home, I'm going to strip that sexy dress off of you an inch at a time and I'm going to taste every single inch until you beg me to make love to you."

  His tone was conversational, almost casual, and Ann wondered if she was hearing things. Then she saw the look in his eyes and knew that she hadn't dreamed the things he'd just said. She could feel the color start at her toes and creep over her body like a slow red tide until it reached her face. She stared at him a moment longer, and then her eyes dropped away and she busied herself with her meal.