Sweet Daddy: The Complete Collection

by Rachel Burns

  Mr. Johnson turned to Eve Anthony. “I saw your commercial last night. Mrs. Anthony, you and Cassie were wonderful in it. I’m sure every mother will diaper their children with that brand from now on.”

  “It’s the kind we use. It wasn’t just acting. I think people saw that I meant what I was saying. It was great working with Cassie. It’s never too early to start a college fund.” Eve nodded at her husband.

  Joshua laughed at her. “I couldn’t have said that better myself. Before you know it, she’ll be the one selling policies and investment plans.” He smiled at his wife with pride.

  A little while later, Gina and Alexander came down. Their son was walking with them, and he was carrying a soccer ball.

  “Did you hear about the contest?” he asked them.

  “Yes, we did. I hope we don’t win,” Gina told him.

  “Gina,” Alexander scolded his wife for being so rude.

  “I don’t want proof of how fat I am.” She waddled to the door. “We think you look amazing.”

  “I can’t believe how big I am.”

  “You’re expecting twins, darling. You aren’t fat.” Alexander loved his beautiful wife but pregnancies made he difficult.

  “I feel fat,” she protested.

  “Gina,” he warned her again.

  “The twins will be born soon, and then Cassie will have someone to play with.” Mr. Johnson wanted to change the topic, so Gina would stop putting herself down.

  “I can hardly wait to hold them in my arms.” Gina started to cry. This was something she was doing at the drop of a hat lately.”

  “Why is mommy crying again?” Sean asked.

  “She’s just happy, son. We all are.”

  Samantha Beaumont from apartment 5A was also in the lobby. It was Sunday evening, and Richard Beaumont was late bringing Jonah back. Jonah needed to eat something healthy and then get to bed. Tomorrow was a school day, and she had to work. They needed to be well rested for that.

  She looked at her watch again. It was already after eight. He should have been here at six.

  The night watchman was looking at her with pity in his eyes. This same scenario played out every second weekend. Mr. Beaumont would make Mrs. Beaumont wait down here in the lobby. If she complained, he’d say that he’d fight her for full custody.

  The night doorman saw the taxi pulling up with Jonah and his father in it. He opened the door and helped Mr. Beaumont get sweet little Jonah out. Jonah was so tried that he couldn’t walk straight. He went straight to his mother and fell into her arms.

  “He has school tomorrow. You can’t keep him out this late.” She carefully scolded him in the hope that this would never happen again.

  “It’s eight o’clock. That’s his bedtime. I brought him to you tired and everything. You don’t have anything to complain about.”

  “He still has to eat and take his bath. You were supposed to have him home by six,” she reminded him.

  “He fell asleep on the sofa. He was so quiet that I forgot about him.”

  “How can you forget about your own son?” Samantha was fighting back tears.

  “I was working so I can pay child support.”

  “Which you’re late paying again this month,” she pointed out in a soft voice.

  “Hey, that’s our private business.” He lifted up a finger to warn her to stop immediately.

  “Our private business becomes public when I have to explain that I’ll be late paying rent again this month.”

  “You need to manage your money better,” he confronted her, pushing the blame onto her.

  “I do, but you always pay late on purpose. Why don’t you have your bank automatically wire the money so it will be there on the first of the month like it should be.”

  “I can’t do that. You get paid by day. Some months have less days.”

  “I’m really sick of your control games.” Samantha couldn't believe how cheap he was with her. Why couldn’t he remember that they had once loved each other.

  “Maybe it would be better if Jonah lived with me full-time, and you paid me child support. How much do you make working at the department store? Is it enough to pay your rent, food and child support? Because if it isn’t, you better start taking a different tone with me, or I’ll stop paying you altogether.”

  “You can’t do that,” she said in a small voice.

  “Watch me.”

  Samantha got scared every time he threatened to take Jonah away from her. “I’ll get a lawyer if I have to. Then you can pay for him too. The court ordered you to pay. You can’t threaten not to anymore.”

  “Honey, money is my business. Just watch and see what I can do.” He dropped Jonah’s bags to the floor and left.

  The doorman rushed to her side. “I’ll take the bags, Mrs. Beaumont. And if you’d ever need me to testify for you in court, I gladly would.”

  “No, that’s okay. I think he’s just upset because he’s starting to realize how lonely he is without us. He misses us, and he’s reacting badly.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t make excuses for him.”

  “Please, stop.” Samantha was fighting to keep her smile in place. “Not in front of Jonah.”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right.” The night doorman hoped that no one would ever say anything bad about him while his kids were listening.

  Mr. Johnson had seen and heard the conversation that had taken place down in the lobby on the surveillance camera. He came down immediately to talk to Mrs. Beaumont and help her.

  “Good evening, everyone. I’ll carry up Jonah’s things, Mrs. Beaumont.”

  The doorman went back to his post. He was glad that Mr. Johnson was here. He’d know what to say to make the nice lady feel better.

  In the elevator, Samantha held a sleeping Jonah in her arms. “Thank you for helping, Mr. Johnson.”

  “It would be better if he brought Jonah to your door. Making you wait in the lobby isn’t good for you, or for Jonah. I’ll speak to him next Saturday.”

  “I don’t want to set him off.” Samantha didn’t want to rock the boat.

  “Forgive me for asking, but was he abusive while you were still married.”

  “No, he’s a complainer who likes to hear himself complain.”

  “I see. Did you hear about the contest?” Mr. Johnson asked her.

  “Yes, the night watchman told me. I think it’s a lovely idea.”

  “I wish you and Jonah lots of luck.”

  “I won’t win. I never win anything.”

  “The chances aren’t that bad, and everyone has the same chance. A portrait would look nice over your fireplace. It’s still empty, I believe.”

  “Yes, but who knows how long we’re going to be living here. Richard will soon be bored with his playboy life, and then we’ll move back in with him.”

  “Of course.” Mr. Johnson faked a smile. That was the same thing she said when she interviewed for the apartment three years ago.

  He hoped that his plan would work as he helped her bring her child to bed. She led a very lonely life, one that was filled with waiting. Every second weekend she waited for her son to be returned to her. She waited for her husband to fall back in love with her, and she waited to receive the payments that were due to her.

  He hoped that her waiting days would soon be over.

  She deserved to be loved and so did Jonah.

  Chapter 3

  Adam Clark was dropped off in front of a charming building. He looked up at it and immediately had a desire to sketch it. He was a little early so he crossed the street and did so.

  It was a simple sketch. He had thousands of those. It didn’t seem worth keeping. He’d have his secretary find the owner and give it to him or her later.

  Mr. Johnson had his eyes on Mr. Clark the moment he arrived. He was shocked to see him leave. Then it became clear that he was drawing the building.

  He held the door open for him when Mr. Clark finished his drawing. “Welcome to the building, Mr. Clark.”<
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  “You know me?” Adam asked, surprised.

  “I was informed that you were coming, sir.”

  “You, sir, are a man who knows your job well. Do you know who the owner of this building is?”

  “Of course, sir.”

  Mr. Clark opened up his brown leather portfolio. He got out the drawing and signed it quickly. “See that he or she gets it, unless, you want it for yourself. As you can see, you’re in the sketch.”

  Mr. Johnson lost his ability to speak for a moment. The drawing was amazing. Mr. Clark had managed to capture the personality of the building. “I’ll see to it that it gets hung up here in the lobby, sir. So everyone in the building can enjoy your talent.”

  “Yes, I seemed to have gotten roped into doing this. My aunt said that it was a favor that she owed to someone. Clearly, I’d do anything for the dear old girl.” He grinned when he thought about his aunt. She often knew where his abilities would be best applied, as she put it. “There was some sort of contest?” he inquired.

  “Yes, the owner is very proud of the fact that we have a handful of babies living here, and a couple on the way, I might add. He thought a family portrait would be a lovely idea.”

  Mr. Clark’s jaw tightened. He’d like nothing better than to paint a portrait of his own family and hang it on the wall. He’d call it his masterpiece. “That is truly a lovely idea. I’m glad that I can help with something so noble. Children grow up so quickly.”

  “Yes, that is so true. Sadly, the family that won is only a two-person family. Still, it will be nice for Mrs. Beaumont to have a portrait with her and her son. He really is the only man in her life.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Is she a widow?”

  “No, her husband left her for another woman, one who was younger, of course. He left that one for a different one already, again she was younger. Mrs. Beaumont is better off without him. I’ll admit to you that I’m very pleased that she won. Nothing special ever happens to her anymore. She lives for her son. This will be a very special day for her.”

  “I understand completely. I’ll make her feel very special. What bum would leave his wife and child?”

  “I don’t understand it either. She’s such a lovely person. She lives in 5A. I’ll help you with the elevator.”

  Adam stood in front of apartment 5A, knowing that the little family was waiting for him. He was trying to think of something kind that he could say to the poor woman.

  Adam was picturing her husband dropping the bomb and saying that he had someone else. He pictured the wife with a sweaty brow, doing the laundry when her husband tells her that she’s no longer good enough for him.

  Unfortunately, Adam knew how that felt. He’d been with Gloria for two years when she walked out, calling him all kinds of terrible names. He’d felt like less of a man because of her words.

  It wasn’t that he had low self-esteem. Adam was a man who knew what he was capable of doing, and he did it. He had extraordinary talents, but the thing that had hurt him so much was that there was truth in her words.

  It was a fact that he’d never father a child. It was also a fact that any woman he married would hold it against him that he couldn’t give her children.

  This woman would probably have a similar story. Someone had probably pointed out all of her mistakes and weaknesses.

  He knocked on her door.

  A second later, the door flew open. “Hello, Mr. Clark. It’s a true pleasure to meet you.” Samantha held her hand out to him. She was very excited to have finally won something, and it was something so special.

  Adam reached for her and shook it. A shock went through his body as they touched. He doubted that this woman had any weaknesses. She had a brilliant smile. Her skin was tan, and her body was form just the way he liked a woman to be formed, with a natural hourglass form. The type that made him long to wrap his arms around her middle and press her body against his.

  She had milk chocolate colored hair and matching eyes. They were the kind of eyes that could keep a man warm on a long winter’s night.

  “I believe congratulations are in order,” he said when he found his tongue.

  Samantha had also been studying him. She admired that he had a thick strong build. He wasn’t fat, but he looked like a lumberjack. He was tall and brawny. His sandy brown hair was a little on the long side and he had it slicked back in a sexy way. He had dark blue eyes that looked like pool of beautiful seawater. “I can’t believe it. I’ve never won anything before.”

  “Then this is my lucky day.”

  “Your lucky day?” she repeated.

  “I got to tell you that you won. I’ve never gotten to do that before either.” Adam realized that he was flirting, badly.

  “Come in and meet my son.” Samantha ushered him inside and laid her hands on her son shoulders. “This young gentleman is my son Jonah. Jonah this man is the famous painter Adam Clark.”

  “He’s the reason that I have to wear a tie?” Jonah asked. He didn’t understand what was happening or why it was special. Their refrigerator was full of portraits that he'd draw of him and his mom.

  “That’s right. Your mom helped you get fancy because today is a big day.” Adam knelt down in front of the little boy who looked so much like his mother. He had the same hair color and eye color. “What we’re going to do today is special. We’re going to make time stop.”

  “Make time stop?” Jonah repeated.

  “Yes. I found a way to take a moment in time and hold it tightly in my hand. Of course, I have a secret instrument that helps me do that.” He pulled out a pencil and showed it to Jonah.

  “A pencil?” Jonah asked, surprised. Doubt was written all over his face. Then he looked a little curious.

  “That’s right. Just we wait and see.” I need a chair for your mom.

  “I’ll get one from the kitchen.” Jonah took off to get it.

  “He’s adorable. How old is he?”

  “He’s five.”

  “He’s fantastic. You’re lucky to have him.”

  “Don’t I know it. Thank you for doing this. It means so much to me. It seems like he was just a baby in my arms last week. I love what you said about stopping time.”

  “I’m glad that this portrait will be cherish for a long time.”

  Jonah returned with the chair.

  “Mrs. Beaumont, please have a seat.” Adam took hold of her hand to help her to the chair. The same spark from before was still there. He hated letting go of her once she sat.

  What idiot had ever let her go?

  “Thank you.” She sat down and beamed at Mr. Clark, unable to hide her excitement.

  “Jonah, I want you to stand exactly like this. Put your hand on your mother’s shoulder and smile. One day, you’ll point to this portrait to prove to your kids that you were a very respectable young man.”

  “But I don’t usually wear a tie.”

  “They don’t have to know that. You can trick them into behaving this way.” Adam beamed at them. They were a good-looking family.

  “I want my children to have fun.”

  Adam thought Jonah was an adorable child. “They will, Jonah. Don’t worry.”

  Adam sat down and opened his pad. He looked up at their smiling faces and then at his pad. In an instant, he’d captured them there forever. Basically, he could leave now. The coloring was memorized in his head.

  Still, he pulled out his cell and took a picture of them. He didn’t want to leave. He felt very comfortable with them.

  Adam pretended to draw as he dreamt about coming home to this woman and this young man.

  “Tell me, Jonah, what are your hobbies?” Adam asked.

  “I go to school.”

  “That’s right he started school in September,” Mrs. Beaumont answered him.

  “Do you play any sports?” Adam asked.

  “Tag. We play tag during recess. I’m good at it.”

  Adam smiled. “I just thought that you do some kind of sport outsid
e of school. Most kids have every afternoon planned. Do you play an instrument?”

  “No. I do my homework in the afternoon. Mom helps me.”

  “You’re a lucky little man to have her. Forgive me for asking, but what’s your first name, Mrs: Beaumont.” Adam looked at Mrs. Beaumont, thinking that she had raised a very charming child. Of course, she was very charming too.

  “I’m Samantha.”

  “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Samantha and Jonah. You two are a very nice family.” He pretended to draw as he traced over existing lines.

  “We looked you up on the Internet,” Samantha confessed. “You usually don’t do portraits.”

  Adam grinned. “No, I don’t. I grew up with my aunt. She was very good to me. The owner of the building wanted me to do a family portrait. He or she is a friend with my aunt. She gave the order and here I am.”

  “I think it’s nice that you’re still so close to the woman who raised you.” Samantha’s right hand moved to cover Jonah’s hand, the one on her shoulder.

  Adam flipped the page and drew what he saw in that moment. This was what he usually did. He painted real life scenes.

  Quickly, he drew her face. The worried lines that covered her forehead and around her eyes that had appeared when she pictured not having contact with her son one day.

  Adam knew that this drawing could be turned into a painting that would earn him twenty-five grand. He finished it and went back to the original drawing. No one but him would ever see that drawing.

  Samantha remembered that they weren’t supposed to move. She returned her hand to her lap and smiled at Adam.

  While he drew, she had a chance to look at him. He was a good-looking man with his long sandy blond hair. He was tall and broad shouldered. The type of man who looked like he could kill a bear with his bare hands, but he was an artist. When their eyes met, she blushed at him. They were warm and smoothing in spite of their deep blue color.

  Samantha scolded herself for thinking about this kind man that way. He was only here to do his aunt a favor. He wouldn’t be interested in a woman with a kid.