Kids had them. It was normal. Her minor in child development had taught her that much.
“Mine was a lot like me. I named her Amy. But I wanted her to be out here in the world, you know, so I could see her...”
Amy had been the way she remembered her younger self.
“So I drew her, just fooling around, and I started to feel better. So I drew her some more.”
The fictional face that was so familiar to her was taking perfect shape on the page. Usually Amy’s expressions were more serious; she was a little girl who had fears and learned that the only real thing she had to fear was being afraid. But today, Julie drew her differently. Today Amy’s eyes glowed with hope. There was going to be a grin on her face, too. Not the happy, secure, quiet smile she usually wore at the end of the books. But an ebullient, childish grin. Something she hoped Joy could remember feeling.
As she worked, she chatted. About Amy. Keeping her comments age-appropriate and one step removed. The grin was there on Amy’s face. But something wasn’t quite right. The chin maybe.
“Sometimes Amy thinks she’s the only one who knows stuff,” she said. “And sometimes she knows secrets that she’s afraid to tell because people who are bigger than her might get mad.”
After she’d been brutally raped, Julie had come home to Colin. He’d taken her to the hospital. They’d gone to the police. Her rapist was known to them. But he was the son of a powerful man, and in the end, she and Colin had agreed, understanding the consequences if they didn’t, to let the matter drop.
Amy had taken it all on.
No, the problem wasn’t the chin. She looked at the mouth again.
There was movement beside her. Joy had picked up a pencil.
Heart pounding, Julie left Amy’s face incomplete, moved down to the neck and shoulders, which she could draw without paying much attention. Dressing Amy in a T-shirt with butterflies, she watched Joy—also in a T-shirt with butterflies—out of the corner of her eye.
Afraid to do anything that might distract Joy, she continued to talk about Amy. About the reasons she liked butterflies—because of their soft wings and pretty colors, which was why Julie had always liked them.
Sara had said that she thought Joy was relating to Julie, or maybe to her childhood self, through Amy. She’d told Julie just to be herself.
Joy’s hand, gripping the black pencil, hovered over the page. Black was a color associated with anger. And fear.
But it was also good for outlining.
Julie steadied her own hand. Drew another long stroke. Analyzing Joy’s reactions wasn’t her job.
“Amy used to love chocolate ice cream best,” she said, fixated on that dark pencil in the girl’s hand, in spite of her admonitions to the contrary. “Now she kind of likes vanilla better sometimes.”
She was babbling. But kids liked ice cream. And she didn’t want to scare Joy off.
A circle was forming slowly on the page in front of the girl.
Julie fiddled with the collar of the T-shirt on her own page. Waiting to see what came next in Joy’s drawing.
Two dots, where eyes would go.
And then little broken lines straight down from them.
Julie didn’t need to be a psychiatrist to get that one. Just as Joy didn’t need to be an artist to draw an understandable depiction. Or use words to speak.
The precious little girl, whose father had most likely just abducted her mother, was crying inside.
* * *
LILA MCDANIELS, IN brown pants and jacket, with a top that was a darker shade, met Hunter and Edward in the small public lobby of The Lemonade Stand. Other than the nondescript, tiled room, the rest of the premises were accessible only by pass code or key.
“Edward.” The Stand’s managing director took the doctor’s hand briefly, released it and stepped back immediately. Hunter didn’t know if Edward noticed or not, but he didn’t think the reception boded well. “Hunter.” Lila turned her attention to him with a smile that, while not effusive, still held what seemed like genuine welcome.
What the hell?
“I’m so grateful to you for entertaining my plea,” Edward said, his tone about as far from standoffish as Hunter had heard. He crossed his hands one over the other in front of him and gave the older woman a smile.
She quickly turned to lead them toward a private door...
Shrugging off his impressions, putting them down to his own discomfort, he followed the other two back down the hall. The same hall they’d walked through when they’d come here a few days ago.
Edward’s granddaughter was now a resident at the Stand. Which made him more of a client than the total stranger he’d been the last time they’d visited. The man’s daughter was missing. His grandchild was traumatized. What did Hunter know about the nuances of any of that?
Figuring they were heading toward Lila’s office again, he was surprised when they stopped short before they reached it. They stood in front of an open door that looked like it led to some kind of small but nicely appointed conference room.
Not a lot of space for mingling, he noticed first. But the upholstered chairs at the long table were an attractive touch. Comfortable.
The beige color on the back wall offset the flowered prints. Not his personal taste, but for an event...
He’d set a dinner there if the room had been offered for his use. It would suit a small charity board consisting of members who all knew each other well—and didn’t intend to stay long.
Lila, with Edward standing at her side in the doorway, was introducing him and turned, stepping more completely into the room, so that Hunter could come forward, as well.
And actually see the two women sitting at the table.
He supposed the managing director continued to speak. He heard a voice. But he was no longer paying attention.
Julie Fairbanks was one of the women at that table.
Which confused the hell out of him.
* * *
HUNTER HAD AN hour to spare for Edward’s meeting. He wished he had all night. While he didn’t like feeling superfluous, particularly when he had so much to do, he walked into the conference room, took the seat next to Edward and stared at Julie Fairbanks.
Why was she there?
He tried the silent approach, trying to get her to look at him and read his mind. It failed.
“Dr. Mantle, I appreciate the urgency of your situation, but before we could even consider arranging a meeting between you and your granddaughter, we need to talk with you.”
The speaker, Sara Havens Edwin, as she’d been introduced, was a full-time counselor at the Stand. The introduction of Julie had included no title.
Edward nodded. “Of course.” His hands were folded on the table now, his attention fully on the blonde counselor. Lila, at the head of the table, had handed the meeting over to Sara.
For the most part, Hunter watched Julie. Was she a counselor, too? No one had ever said so. Surely Brett would’ve told him if she worked for him, when he’d asked about her on the golf course.
What had Brett said?
That she’d been hurt.
He’d assumed that meant she’d gone through a painful breakup.
She didn’t look in his direction. She watched Sara, with a glance or two at Edward as he answered basic questions about himself, including the fact that he’d taken a leave of absence from his practice.
“You can always go through the courts to get an order for visitation with your granddaughter.”
Hunter’s glance swung from Julie to Sara when he heard the counselor’s words.
“I’m aware of that,” Edward said. “Ms. McDaniels and I have spoken about it.” Edward’s smile at the director held gratitude. She nodded, and then he focused on Sara.
“In the first
place, that would take time,” Edward continued with the air of one in charge, “although I understand there’s the possibility of an emergency temporary order. At this point, I’m not interested in my rights. I’m interested in the best care for my granddaughter...” His voice faded as he cleared his throat.
Hunter felt he should jump in. Say something to lighten the moment. It was the whole reason Edward had asked him to be there.
But Edward didn’t know Hunter well. When it came to emotional drama, he went surfing.
“I understand that further disruption in Joy’s life wouldn’t be good. I also know for a fact that family love is a strong healer,” Edward continued, then looked Hunter’s way.
He figured his uncle by marriage was doing just fine. So, fingers steepled at his lips as though he was completely familiar with such things, he nodded.
“Can you plan to stay around awhile if necessary?” Sara asked, giving Edward a piercing glance.
“Yes.”
“He’s got a room at my place anytime he wants it and for as long as he needs it.” Hunter addressed the counselor.
“I...didn’t realize Hunter was going to be here...”
He turned to Julie the second he heard her voice.
“I had no idea you were related to Joy’s grandfather,” she said.
“By marriage,” he felt compelled to say, to be completely truthful on that score. “His sister’s married to my father.”
Julie looked between Sara and Lila. “I’ve known Hunter awhile. He wouldn’t be here if he thought there was any reason to worry where Edward’s concerned.”
“Hunter is the reason Joy’s here,” Lila McDaniels said. “Brett Ackerman referred him to us.”
The glance Julie sent Hunter, as though she was seeing him in a new light, sent a jolt through him.
Giving him a “go surfing” impulse again. And yet, keeping him in his chair. What was it about this woman?
Why couldn’t he just move on?
“Julie’s being at this meeting was kind of last-minute.” Lila was speaking again. “She’s been...spending time with Joy. So far, she’s the only one who’s been able to get any reaction out of her at all.”
Hunter wasn’t surprised. He should be. But he wasn’t.
“You’re a counselor, too?” he asked Julie, somewhat disturbed that he hadn’t been privvy to that information. He’d assumed she was one of the social elite who sat on a lot of charity boards.
“No,” she said. “I...draw.” She looked away. Shutting him out again.
And that left him wanting “in” more than ever.
“Julie is doing art therapy with Joy.” Sara took over, leaving Hunter with the impression that there was more not being said at that table than was actually spoken.
Definitely not his forte.
“And you’ve had some success?” Leaning forward, Edward seemed about ready to take Julie’s hand across the table.
Julie nodded.
“Can you share it with me?”
With a glance at Sara and Lila, who both nodded, Julie said, “She drew a crying stick figure.”
The doctor’s lips pursed. His chin tightened. And Hunter saw a tear in the corner of his eye.
He cared about Edward and Joy. He wanted to help.
And, not for the first time, came up blank.
CHAPTER EIGHT
NO ONE HAD told her Hunter Rafferty was going to be in the meeting with Joy’s grandfather from Florida.
No one would’ve had cause to know that she’d met the man. Sara and Lila weren’t part of her life outside the Stand.
Still, seeing him there was a shock.
In just a few days, Joy had become an integral part of her waking moments. And she was related to Hunter Rafferty?
By marriage.
“Here’s what I’d like to propose,” Sara said, drawing Julie’s full attention. “Joy is currently in the cafeteria with her house mother, helping make chocolate chip cookies for tonight’s movie. We can walk through there, all of us, like any other group of adults on a tour.” The counselor turned to Julie. “Are you okay with that?”
“Of course.” She’d been planning to spend the evening at the Stand, in spite of the fact that doing so might further stoke Lila’s fears on her behalf. Colin and Chantel were going to the theater in LA. And she wanted to be on hand in case Joy needed her. For the same reason she’d postponed her all-girl outing with Lila, Sara and Lynn.
Sara glanced at Lila. “Let’s just walk by, say hello. Give Edward a chance to see the child.”
Lila’s nod was immediate.
Sara turned to Edward. “This is only going to work if you’re emotionally up to seeing her without reacting. If you’d rather wait, we can.”
“I want to see her.”
“He’s a doctor. He knows how to keep his own emotions in check when he’s dealing with emotional situations,” Hunter said.
His ready defense of his step-uncle, although maybe unnecessary, impressed Julie.
It was the charming smile that she couldn’t get past. Didn’t trust.
“And then we can talk about an actual meeting. However, I should warn you that we might not tell her right away who you are.”
“I, um, think we should,” Julie said. She wasn’t the professional. Or the boss. “I mean, you know best,” she told Sara. “And I don’t want you to take risks based on my opinion.”
“We asked you to be here because you seem to have an understanding of Joy that the rest of us don’t,” Lila said. “We want your opinion, Julie.”
“It was right after I was talking about secrets that she drew the picture,” she said. “I feel we should tell her the truth. She’s only seven. It’s not like she’s going to understand the biological significance. But I just think... Well, she’s lost her mom, her aunt and her father...”
She paused, looked around the table. “I’m not insinuating that having her father around was a good thing, but it must’ve been good some of the time or Cara wouldn’t have stayed, right? Not when she had a father to run home to.”
“She was pretty angry with me,” Edward said. “After her mother died... I wasn’t home as much as I should’ve been.”
Julie didn’t really need to know about that. “Whether Joy was afraid of her dad or loved him, his disappearance must still give her a sense of abandonment—especially with her mom and aunt gone.” She focused on Sara.
The counselor nodded.
“So... I think it might help her to know she’s not all alone. And it might be good for her to find out that she has a family member who isn’t related to her father. And isn’t afraid of him.”
Sara was studying her. Julie withstood the examination. There was something about her that was calling out to the little girl. Something about Julie’s own suffering that was somehow reaching Joy.
“Poor baby. No telling what she’s not saying...” Edward, a tall, commanding man in his fifties, suddenly looked sunken.
“She’s responding to Julie,” Lila announced to the table. “I have every hope that she’ll open up soon...”
“Absolutely,” Sara added. “Be assured, Dr. Mantle, that we’re all watching her very closely and are doing everything we can for her.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Edward said, standing. “I’m thankful that she’s here. Could we take our walk now?”
He’d lost so much. His wife. His only child for all these years—and possibly forever. Yet there he was, ready to take responsibility for a little girl he’d never even met. To slay her dragons. With apparently no thought of himself, or what the ensuing weeks and months could take out of him. He was putting his entire life on hold. His practice.
The man was a rock.
And watching him brought tears to J
ulie’s eyes. They increased when Hunter stood up next to Edward, patted him on the shoulder and stayed close to his side as they walked to the door.
“You coming?” Sara’s voice jolted Julie into motion.
In some ways Joy was a very lucky little girl.
In some ways, Julie was lucky, as well.
She’d do better to remember that more often.
* * *
“IT’S STRANGE, THE two of us meeting like this.”
Purposely staying behind the group walking toward the kitchen, Julie wasn’t all that surprised when Hunter lagged back to talk to her.
“I had no idea you were connected to Joy.” Even though she was repeating herself, she said the first thing that came to mind other than, “go away.” Or “it’s good to see you.” Because it wasn’t good.
“Only by marriage,” Hunter said, making her wonder why it was so important to him to bring up something he’d already mentioned.
“You don’t like Edward?”
“On the contrary. I highly respect him. He reminds me a lot of my dad.”
“Your father?” In the months she’d known him—the months he’d been trying to get her to go out with him—he’d never, ever said anything personal about himself. His business, yes. Himself—never. It was as though, outside of The Time of Your Life, Hunter Rafferty didn’t exist. But then that was how charmers were. The facade helped them hide their true selves from the world.
“Yep” was all he had to say about his dad.
“Do they get along?” She was just making conversation. Trying not to get caught up in the emotional drama that was unfolding. Trying not to worry about Joy’s reaction to the strangers who were going to be invading her space.
Trying not to worry about the man who was about to see his granddaughter for the first time.
“They work together,” Hunter told her. “That’s how Dad met Betty, Edward’s sister.”
Edward was a family physician. “Your father works in a doctor’s office?”
“My father is the principal owner of the clinic in which they both work. He’s a primary care physician, too.”
For Joy's Sake Page 6