Daddy By Default

by Nikki Benjamin

  Unless...

  As he had found himself thinking on and off all evening, Brian had been right. He really should have gone over to the cottage and checked on her. Out of common courtesy, if nothing else. In a way, he was her host. And her landlord, as well. Which also gave him the right, not to mention the responsibility, to see what she’d done to the place in his absence.

  Probably nothing more than wipe up the layers of dust that had accumulated over the years. But he should take a look, just in case.

  And while he was at it, he really ought to run interference for Brian, too. He could tell her that the boy wanted to visit with her after school tomorrow, and make sure she didn’t mind.

  As for what she might say about Ethan when she and Brian were together...

  He would have to leave that up to her. Bringing up the subject himself would only offer her an opening to ask questions he would rather not answer. He would have to trust that she’d continue to be as tactful as she had been Thursday evening.

  Having given himself just the excuses he needed—ones that very nicely overrode his desire simply to see Madelyn St. James again—Gabriel grabbed his denim jacket and stepped out into the moonlit night.

  He wouldn’t stay long. Not with Brian alone in the house. He would make sure she had everything she needed in the way of household items. He’d also find out if the chimney sweep he’d contacted had come as requested Saturday afternoon. And he would advise her of Brian’s impending visit. Then, his duty done, he would leave her in peace.

  As for himself...

  Striding across the courtyard, Gabriel sincerely hoped he wasn’t going to stir up any more inner turmoil than he was already experiencing.

  The distress he’d suffered over the bad memories that had surfaced earlier had faded as he’d gradually gotten used to the idea of someone living in the cottage again. Actually seeing how that someone had put her own personal stamp on the place might be exactly what he needed to erase certain incidents from his mind once and for all.

  At the cottage, Gabriel hesitated just a moment, then drew a deep, steadying breath and rapped on the door.

  “Just a minute,” Madelyn called out.

  As he stood waiting, Gabriel heard the faint strains of classical piano music drifting from within. He also caught a whiff of something that made his mouth water. A hearty soup or stew seasoned to perfection, he thought, surprised that she would go to so much trouble for herself alone.

  If she was alone, he amended.

  Shifting impatiently, he raised his hand to knock again just as the door opened.

  She was dressed in faded jeans that clung to her slim hips and long legs like a second skin; a hunter green, nubby-knit, pullover sweater; thick wool socks and fleece-lined, brown suede moccasins. With her face bare of makeup and her hair pulled up in a sassy ponytail, she looked about sixteen. Sweet sixteen, yet sexy...too darned sexy for his peace of mind.

  “Oh...hi,” she greeted him, her wide, welcoming smile filled with such warmth and sincerity that he was momentarily taken aback.

  He didn’t want her to be happy to see him, and he certainly didn’t want to be happy to see her. But how else could he describe the sudden buoyancy of spirit he had experienced the moment he’d laid eyes on her?

  “Ms. St. James,” he growled, frowning ominously.

  “Yes, Mr. Serrano?”

  Her smile replaced by a look of concern, she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze as if prepared for whatever bad news she expected him to deliver.

  Realizing that he was on the verge of getting off to a bad start with her yet again, Gabriel drew in another deep breath and pasted a smile on his face.

  “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

  “Not at all.” Eyeing him even more warily, she hesitated, then added, “Would you like to come in?”

  “Yes, please. But I won’t stay long,” he promised, moving past her as she stepped aside.

  “No problem.”

  A few feet from the doorway, he paused and glanced around the room. He couldn’t help but be impressed by all she had accomplished in just three days. What he could see of the place was now spotlessly clean, and the musty smell had been replaced by a combination of more pleasant scents: lemon oil and evergreen, a hint of cinnamon—probably from the bowl of potpourri he spied on one of the end tables—and, of course, whatever she was cooking in the little kitchen.

  The few pieces of wood furniture—the end tables on either side of the sofa and the small, round oak table and pair of Windsor chairs in the living area, as well as the dresser and chest of drawers in the sleeping area—gleamed under a rich coat of polish.

  She had also added homey touches of her own. Several throw rugs in shades of rose and blue covered strategic areas of the Saltillo tile floor. A similarly colored, floral-patterned afghan had been draped over the plain but serviceable navy blue sofa. A pair of blue place mats graced the round table along with a basket of silk flowers and several chubby candles also in shades of rose and blue. And from what he could see beyond the fireplace dividing the sleeping area from the living area, the bed also sported a new coverlet striped in the same colors.

  “You’ve done a lot in the past few days,” he acknowledged.

  Actually, more than he would have thought necessary for what he had intended to be a.very short stay.

  “I got started and couldn’t seem to stop,” she admitted sheepishly. “I know I’m only going to be here temporarily. But after living in one anonymous room after another the past couple of years, I wanted to make this place feel as much like a real home as possible.”

  “Well, you certainly did a good job of it.”

  In fact, she had transformed the cottage so completely that—just as Gabriel had hoped—hardly any trace of Ethan’s prior inhabitance remained.

  “Thanks.” She eased past him and headed toward the kitchen. “Would you like something to drink? I have cold beer and hot coffee on hand.”

  Cold beer?

  Watching her walk across the room, Gabriel realized he shouldn’t have been surprised. There was an earthiness about her, after all. And a lack of pretension that appealed to him.

  To be honest, having a beer with her would have been quite enjoyable. Only, he wasn’t there to socialize.

  “Maybe another time,” he replied.

  “Of course.”

  She paused in the kitchen doorway and faced him again, the questioning look in her eyes reminding Gabriel that he had yet to tell her why he was there.

  “Since we were gone yesterday and today, I just wanted to make sure you got moved in all right.”

  “I did.”

  “Also, I wanted to make sure the chimney sweep came yesterday as promised.”

  “He did.”

  “You’re welcome to use the fireplace whenever you want, then.”

  “I will.”

  The merest hint of a smile played around the corners of her mouth and amusement lingered in her eyes.

  Aware that his manner had once again grown more brusque than he’d intended, Gabriel willed himself to relax. Just because she had offered him a beer—a beer he had wanted to accept—he didn’t have to react so defensively. She had only meant to be hospitable.

  “If you’d like, I could start a fire for you now,” he offered in what he hoped was a friendlier tone.

  All trace of humor vanished from her face as she gazed at him uncertainly. Realizing that his sudden change of tack was making her uncomfortable, Gabriel hastened to offer reassurance.

  “It won’t take me more than a few minutes. Then I’ll have to get back to the house.”

  “A fire would be nice,” she conceded after hesitating a few moments longer.

  “Consider it my housewarming gift,” he suggested.

  “All right.” Nodding agreeably, she smiled once again.

  More pleased than he should have been at being given the opportunity to do her a favor, Gabriel smiled, too.

  “I’ll ge
t the wood, then.”

  “Need any help?”

  “You can move the fire screen out of the way and open the damper. Also, there should be some matches in the kitchen. Want to see if you can find them?”

  “Sure.”

  Almost as disconcerted as she’d been when she first saw Gabriel standing on the stoop, glowering at her, Madelyn watched as he turned and walked out the door. For the few moments it had taken her to realize his call wasn’t exactly a friendly one, she had been glad that he’d come over. Then she’d been afraid he had found a reason to put her out.

  That he had only wanted to assure himself that she’d had no problems moving in had been a relief. And his businesslike manner, while somewhat off-putting, had seemed quite appropriate.

  However, just as she’d begun to feel as if she was getting with the landlord-tenant program he’d evidently been intent on establishing, he had started acting the part of gracious host.

  For the space of a heartbeat, she had been grateful for his sudden kindness. Then, realizing that his gesture had been on par with throwing a dog a bone, she had been angry at herself for being so gullible.

  All too aware of how vulnerable she was, physically and emotionally, she had retreated behind a much less amiable facade of her own.

  No matter how attractive she found Gabriel Serrano, she couldn’t afford to let him lure her into feeling too sympathetic toward him. He hadn’t made any secret of how he felt about her. He considered her a thorn in his side; one he intended to rid himself of as quickly as possible.

  But he had been so gently insistent about starting a fire for her that she hadn’t had the heart to refuse him completely. And, of course, honest person that she always tried to be, she had to admit she was glad she was going to have his company for a little while longer.

  Even realizing—as she had done Saturday night—that Gabriel and Brian must have gone away for the weekend, she had been too busy cleaning the cottage to feel lonely. But about an hour ago, with most everything done, including the pot of stew that was now simmering on the stove, she had experienced more than a twinge of regret for her solitary state.

  Tweaking the blinds open, she had seen lights on in the house, and had assumed Gabriel and Brian were home again. Briefly—very briefly—she had considered inviting them to share her supper. But she had been so sure her offer would be rejected that she hadn’t been able to work up the nerve to walk across the courtyard and ask.

  Now she was glad she hadn’t. Appearing too eager to develop anything more than the most casual relationship with Gabriel and his son would not serve her in good stead. She wanted nothing more from them—needed nothing more from them—than what she was entitled to, according to Ethan’s will.

  Especially not the heartache that went hand in hand with caring for someone who had such a hard time hiding his anger and disdain whenever he caught sight of her.

  Better to let him come to her whenever he had good reason, she thought as she crossed to the kitchen and retrieved the matches she had come across earlier while cleaning out the drawers under the counter. That way she could avail herself of whatever companionship he offered without any cost to herself.

  Returning to the living area, she walked over to the fireplace, moved the screen to one side, then opened the damper as Gabriel had requested. As if on cue, he came through the door, carrying a canvas sling filled with large chunks of wood as well as an assortment of odd bits and pieces to be used as kindling.

  Though Madelyn hurried to move out of his way, the cold, smoke-scented air that clung to him enveloped her in an almost intimate way, drawing her into his personal space. For just an instant, she thought of how nice it would be to put her arms around him and offer to chase away the chill. Then, her face warming with embarrassment, she gave herself a firm mental shake.

  “Got the matches?” he asked as he sat on the edge of the hearth and stacked the wood on the grate.

  “Right here.”

  Not daring to move any closer, Madelyn extended her hand, offering him the box.

  “Thanks.”

  The wood in place, Gabriel added the kindling, then reached over and turned the knob embedded in the outer wall of the fireplace. As a hissing sound came from the narrow pipe running under the grate, Gabriel lit a match and held it out. The gas caught with a slight puff, the flame flickering low, then leaping to lick at the firewood when he gave the knob another turn.

  “How’s that?” he asked, glancing up at her with a proud smile.

  “Very nice,” she complimented, relieved to have her wits about her once again.

  “Think you’ll be able to manage on your own the next time?”

  “Actually, I think I could have managed on my own this time,” she retorted, sending a wry look his way.

  “Point taken,” he replied repentantly. “The wood is stacked under a tarp out by the garage. There should be more than enough for the two of us, so help yourself whenever you want.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  Gabriel nodded once. Then, his expression growing serious, he focused his attention on the fire once again. Seeing that the wood had begun to burn on its own, he turned off the gas. But instead of taking his leave as Madelyn expected, he stayed where he was, staring at the flickering flames.

  He had something more to say to her, something that seemed to be giving him pause. Madelyn wasn’t sure she wanted to know what it was, but she had a feeling she was going to find out anyway.

  “Brian asked if he could come over to see you after school tomorrow,” he began at last. “I told him he could, but only as long as you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind at all,” she assured him without the slightest hesitation.

  She had liked the boy. He was bright and funny. Having him around would be enjoyable. Especially if he was as interested in photography as he had seemed to be.

  But Gabriel had some reservations. She could tell by the way he glanced at her, then away again, a frown creasing his forehead.

  “More than likely, he’s going to ask about Ethan,” he said, making no effort to hide his concern. “As you’ve probably guessed, there are some things about him Brian doesn’t know yet. Things I would rather he didn’t find out until he’s a little older.”

  “I promise not to say anything imprudent,” Madelyn replied.

  “I would appreciate that.” Replacing the fire screen, Gabriel grabbed the canvas sling in which he’d carried the wood, stood and started toward the door.

  The way he avoided her gaze, Madelyn assumed he had said all he intended to say about the matter. No excuses, and certainly no explanations. Just a request for her compliance, no questions asked.

  Talk about unfair. Her curiosity was more aroused than ever. Yet she didn’t feel she had the right to pry. At least not as deeply as she’d like. Still, there was one point she wanted clarified, and she was annoyed enough by his attitude to risk his wrath by bringing it up while she had the chance.

  “I was wondering...” she started as she trailed after him.

  “What?” Finally facing her, Gabriel tipped his chin up defensively, the look in his eyes anything but encouraging.

  Reminding herself that it was now or never, Madelyn took a breath, then continued. “Obviously, you’ve told Brian quite a bit about Ethan....”

  “I thought that would be the best way to prepare him for what I’m going to have to tell him a few years from now.”

  “Yes, of course.” Madelyn nodded, signaling her understanding. “But did Ethan...did he...know about Brian?”

  “Oh, yes, he knew,” Gabriel replied quietly, the anger in his voice heavily laced with a bitterness that seemed to speak of grievous disappointment. “As to whether or not he cared...” He shrugged and shook his head. “I can’t really say. I wrote to him occasionally over the years, even sent him some photographs. But he never bothered to respond. Not once in nine years. He did set up a trust fund for the boy in his will, though.” Again, Gabriel shrugged. “G
uess that was better than nothing, huh?”

  “I suppose,” Madelyn murmured, lowering her gaze.

  How sad that Ethan had chosen to disassociate himself from Gabriel and the boy, especially when he knew he was dying. No matter what Ethan had done to warrant Gabriel’s animosity, Gabriel would have looked after him. She might not know all that much about him, but she knew enough to believe that. And surely, spending his last days with Brian would have given Ethan some comfort, even considering what a reprobate he’d been.

  Yet, to her knowledge, Ethan had never considered the possibility of coming here. Instead, in his own roundabout way, he had sent her, for reasons she was growing more and more hesitant to delve into.

  “Anything else you want to know?” Gabriel challenged, drawing her attention back to him.

  Quite a bit, Madelyn thought, but hadn’t the nerve to say so in the face of his icy stare. By now, he must have realized Ethan had never mentioned the secrets of their past—the past they’d shared—with her. Since he seemed averse to doing so, as well, why provoke him? He would only end up resenting her even more than he already did. While she doubted he would ever be her friend, she certainly didn’t want to go so far as to make an enemy of him.

  Crossing her arms over her chest, she shook her head.

  “Then I’d best be going.” He reached out and grasped the doorknob, then glanced back at her. “We’ll talk again after I meet with the bank Tuesday afternoon.”

  “Fine.”

  A moment later, he was gone, leaving her alone in the cottage, a whirl of cold air wrapping around her ankles, the fire, now crackling cheerily, warming her back.

  Oddly bereft, Madelyn stared at the door for several seconds. Then, scolding herself for being such a ninny, she headed back to the kitchen. She had too much to do to waste time mooning over Gabriel Serrano.

  She had been in the process of dishing up a bowl of stew for herself when he arrived. After she ate, she’d have to put the leftovers away. Then she really ought to bake some brownies. Brian would probably enjoy a treat after school, and thanks to her own sweet tooth, she had bought all the necessary ingredients while she was at the grocery store earlier in the day.