by Jill Downey
“I’m not your forever nanny but I am your daddy’s nurse and I’ll be around to help out until your new nanny comes. Maybe we can be friends. How would you like that?”
He nodded, then impulsively grabbed Ella’s hand and tugged on it as he tried to pull her along behind him, “I’m going to show her my room, come on Ella, follow me.”
“Why don’t we do that later?” Faye said.
“Nooo! Please, I want to show her something,” he said.
“Okay but make it quick.”
He flashed his toothless grin that melted everyone’s heart every-single-time.
Finn chose the spiral staircase over the elevator, and they practically jogged to the second floor. They made their way to the end of the corridor, turned right and then entered a room that could best be described as every kid’s fantasy.
King sized bed with a colorful canopy and sheer multicolored panels draped around the perimeter, making it seem like a secret meeting place…sparking one’s imagination. A playhouse the size of most children’s bedrooms sat in the far west corner, next to a ten-foot bay window complete with the requisite cushioned window seat.
If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn she had stepped into a toy store; there were shelves and toy boxes filled to the brim. An oil portrait of a beautiful young woman, holding Finn as a toddler, was unquestionably Finn’s mother. Ella couldn’t stop herself from staring.
“That’s my mom,” he said, matter of factly.
“I gathered. She’s very beautiful. She’s the one who looks like a princess,” Ella said.
They both stood side-by-side continuing to study the painting together. “I’m afraid I’m going to forget her,” he said his bottom lip quivering.
“You’ll never forget her because she is always with you. She lives right here,” she said touching his bony chest, “in your heart Finn; you will never lose that.”
“I can’t remember her voice, and grandma and dad won’t let me watch any of the videos we have of her,” he said.
“Maybe it’s too hard for them right now. But when the time is right for them they will. I think your dad knows what’s best.”
“I guess.”
Changing the subject Ella said, “Anything else you want to show me?”
Running toward a display case he said excitedly, “This!”
Ella’s eyes widened at the exhibition of model boats and airplanes. “Wow Finn, that is some collection you have,” she said.
“I love boats and planes. This one is my favorite,” he said opening the glass doors and reaching for a sailboat. He handed it to Ella, who studied the exquisite craftmanship. It was quite beautifully detailed.
“It’s wonderful, Finn,” she said.
“I’m not really allowed to play with them being as they’re so expensive and breakable, but if I’m real careful I can hold them,” he said proudly. “My dad has a big boat. Maybe we can take you sometime when he is all better.”
“I’d love that.” Looking at his collection she spied one and pulled it down from the shelf. “Now this one looks like a fancy yacht. And this one looks like a Viking vessel.”
“Yep. Okay, let’s go,” he said, tearing ahead out of the room only to turn back and say, “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize, you’re excited that your dads’ home I get it,” Ella said, carefully placing the novelties back in the case. “Race you to the stairs!” She and Finn raced to the staircase.
His cheeks were flushed and he crowed, “I won!”
“You rascal, you left me in a cloud of dust.”
She was already half in love with this little person. Why couldn’t he have been an obnoxious brat. It sure would have made things easier on her heart strings.
When they made it back to the den Faye and Kyle were in deep conversation but stopped abruptly when they spied Ella and Finn.
Kyle noticing Ella’s furrowed forehead said, “Everything all right?”
“Yes, of course, why do you ask?”
“You looked deep in thought.”
“Finn just showed me up in a race. I’ll have to get back out on the trails.”
“Did he now? That’s my boy.” Finn beamed at his dad’s compliment.
“Listen, I was thinking about getting out of the house for a little while. Since Faye and Finn are here it’s probably a good time to do that.”
“Of course,” Kyle said his expression at odds with his endorsement.
“I won’t be gone long. Two hours at the most.”
“Don’t let my brother bully you. He’s used to getting his way. I’ll stay until you get back. I don’t have anything else to do.”
“Thanks Faye, see you.”
As Ella walked out, she smiled as she heard Finn say demandingly, “Why can’t I have a puppy? Please!” She didn’t hear Kyle’s response. Looks like his child was growing up to be as equally determined as he. Ha!
13
The days turned into weeks. The three settled into a very comfortable routine. They breakfasted together, then while Kyle worked with his physical therapist, Ella dropped Finn off at his private school; she had a couple of hours to herself before returning to pick him up. Kyle was growing stronger every day and the physical therapist was impressed with his progress. Stubbornness had its advantages.
Ella realized she was as attached to Finn as he was to her. Last night he had had another nightmare, his screams waking her out of a sound sleep. She had run to his bedroom and crawled into the bed, holding him tightly against her while his little body quaked with tremors and he wailed, “Mama, mama.”
Kyle had shown up several minutes later and before joining them had stood for a long beat watching Ella rocking Finn in her arms. Sandwiching Finn between them, the three had ridden it out together, letting the healing tears flow, both offering soothing words of comfort until he cried himself back to sleep.
As they lay quietly listening to his steady breath, the air suddenly became charged. Kyle had reached over the sleeping child and tucked Ella’s hair behind her ear, then ran his thumb over her lips. He had continued his exquisite torture by brushing the backs of his fingers over her breasts, nipples visibly erect through the skimpy fabric of the aqua nightie he had bought her. She had felt an almost unbearable longing.
Ella whispered that she was going to sleep there the rest of the night and Kyle nodded. Silently getting off the bed, he leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers before heading to his own room.
This morning at breakfast there had been an obvious warmth and greater intimacy between them. She knew they had both felt it. Throughout breakfast even with Finn’s steady chatter, she could feel Kyle’s gaze. Each time their eyes met the atmosphere practically crackled.
Kyle had decided that he felt strong enough to ease back into working a few hours a day from home. Ella had tried talking him out of it, but she knew it would sort itself out. He would find out what his body was up for. Pete Sullivan, his college friend and business partner, was coming over this afternoon to bring him up to date on their current caseload and give him the lowdown on what he had missed.
Having volunteered to take Finn for the afternoon she dressed for their outing while Richard helped Finn get ready. She slung her bag over one shoulder and went in search of them. She found Finn in Kyle’s office petting Daisy, who now had the run of the house. He loved animals and was borderline obsessing about a dog. His grandpa had sure put gasoline to that fire. Personally, Ella thought it was a great idea, but so far had kept that opinion to herself.
“Ready Freddy?”
“Yep. Bye Daisy.” He dashed to the door only to remember he had forgotten something and raced back to his father. Giving him a hug, he said, “Bye Dad.”
Kyle’s eyes crinkled as he laughed and said, “So now I’m just an afterthought. I get it.”
He was so dang beautiful when he smiled that Ella’s breath caught in her throat. His color was returning, and he no longer wore that pained expression
. It was miraculous just how far he’d come.
“I’m just the flavor of the day because I’m getting him out,” Ella said reassuringly.
He winked and said, “I don’t blame him a damned bit. Have fun and thanks for getting him out of my hair for a few hours. You’re sure you don’t want to use my driver?”
“No! I want to ride in Ella’s jeep. She’s going to take the top off.”
“I’m good. We’ll take the jeep. Finn and I could use the open air. Thanks though.”
He looked as if he wanted to say more but changed his mind, “Hurry back, Ella.” His eyes conveyed a depth of meaning to that simple statement.
Tamping down the butterflies in her stomach, she said, “Yes, we’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
Kyle watched as Ella took Finn’s hand in hers and felt an ache in his chest. Was he setting his son up for another heartbreak? Who was he kidding, more to the question, was he setting himself up as well? He liked Ella… a whole lot. She filled the house with joy. It had been so dark and gloomy after Jemma had died, and in the months preceding her death. Ella was bringing life and laughter here again, not to mention his permanent hard-on which he was beginning to doubt would ever be satisfied. There should be a law against her wearing shorts. Damn she has the best legs I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Rich appeared with Pete by his side.
“Hey pardner, how’s my gimpy friend?” Pete said, his humor missing its mark.
“Where the hell have you been?” Kyle growled.
“I felt like it was best to stay away, or you’d be picking my brain and not following docs orders.”
“I suppose you were right. A phone call or two would have been nice, but what do I know.”
“Not much,” he said. “You’re looking pretty good, no permanent scars on that perfect face of yours. Some guys have all the luck.”
“I’d hardly call a near-fatal accident luck.”
“You always manage to come out of everything smelling like a rose.”
Kyle let it slide since he knew his college friend meant no harm. He had always been a smartass and slightly competitive. They had been roomies their freshman year of college, both intent on careers in law. They had attended the same law school and after passing the bar, Kyle on his first attempt, Pete on his third, had opened a practice together.
They currently had five attorneys working for them, a paralegal and two legal secretaries as well as Elenore, their office manager and assistant. Their firm practiced in several areas, mainly real estate, tax law, some divorce cases, and environmental litigation, which happened to be the area of law that Kyle was most passionate about.
“Pull up a chair.”
Taking a seat Pete said, “Who was that babe walking out with Finn? I’d like a little piece of that action.”
“Hands off. That’s my live-in nurse.”
Pete snickered, “Yeah right. Nurse by day, mistress by night.”
Kyle glared at his friend, “Shut the fuck up, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Hit a nerve, did I? I guess that means she’s available then?”
“Keep your hands off.”
“So, I was right the first time. Hey, no harm no foul, I’m jealous, she is damn fine! I’d be doing her too.”
“I’m going to say it one more time so it can penetrate that thick skull of yours, Ella is off limits. You got that? You will talk about her with respect and leave your dick at home when you’re around her. Understand? There is nothing going on. She’s my nurse and she’s helping out with Finn. End of story.”
Pete held up his hands in mock surrender, “Okay already, got it. No need to get churlish.”
“Can we change the subject? Let’s get back to our main objective.”
“I know you were told about the package delivery, turned out to be baking powder.”
“Any ideas?”
“None. It could be any number of disgruntled defendants we’ve prosecuted. Or even our own clients. We haven’t won them all.”
“Most,” Kyle countered.
Sarcastically Pete replied, “Of course, we’re the best. I’ve been thinking about it, first we’ve got that environmental group Earth’s Saviors breathing down our necks over your father’s development site where that old factory was torn down. The zoning commission is giving the developers all kinds of grief as well. Then to make matters worse, the neighborhood watch dogs got in on the act, clamoring about having to hold their noses before entering their gated community. Boy you rich folk sure don’t want to share do ya?”
Kyle lifted an eyebrow, studying his friend. Something was off about Pete today. He couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something…
“Everything all right with you?” Kyle asked.
Pete shrugged his shoulders, “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Just asking. You seem even darker than usual.”
“I guess it’s been a little rough without you at the helm this last month.”
“I’m sure. I really appreciate you carrying the load. I’ll make it up to you. You can take a long exotic vacation when I get back. On the firm’s dime.”
“Until then…”
“Yeah let’s get to it.”
“I don’t get it. Somethings not right about that. It’s a solid plan, a win-win for everybody. An abandoned eyesore will be developed, and it will provide affordable housing for thirty plus families, effectively killing two birds with one stone,” Kyle said.
“You’re preaching to the choir. Damn it’s good to have you back my friend. I’ve missed having you to bounce things off of. The class-action suit is moving forward and I’m really out of my element on that one. That’s your specialty and I don’t mind copping to it.”
“Okay we’ll start there, fill me in.”
“Barclay Technology is trying to buy their way out of it. They claim that they didn’t know that the chemicals they dumped into the ground were dangerous which is complete and utter bullshit! We contend that they lied to government regulators and knew all along what they were dumping,” Pete said. “They’re trying to intimidate the plaintiffs. Offering them settlements far below what they’d have to pay if they lost in court.”
“Are they getting to them?”
“A few are waffling.”
“All about greed. They just wanted to save money rather than do the right thing and put the safety of the environment and the citizens above their bottom line,” Kyle said thoroughly disgusted. “When are these company heads going to realize that they have to live on this planet too? Their kids and grandkids are inheriting this mess. You can’t eat or drink the all-mighty dollar.”
“Yeah but they can find a way to turn a profit if all the water is undrinkable, then they can purify and bottle it so only the moneyed can afford to drink,” Pete chimed in equally disturbed. “In the meantime, the company is asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit.”
“On what grounds?”
“They claim we haven’t shown irreparable harm.”
“Jesus, what’s it going to take?”
“I have a bad feeling about this one Kyle. They have the ear of some powerful local officials. They don’t want the company pulling up stakes and moving elsewhere. Even at the expense of safe drinking water.”
“That’s where I’ll start. I’ll begin by reaching out to our clients and see if I can calm them down. What else?”
“My tires were slashed the other night and one of the junior partners had his house burglarized. Nothing taken just ransacked. Could be unrelated.”
“Jesus!”
“Yeah. You can see why I’m a bit rattled.”
“Man, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah well, I’m just glad you’re getting back into it.
“I am glad to be back to the land of the living. For a while I wasn’t sure I’d ever get back to work.”
“Dude, I’m sorry I’ve been MIA. After Brooke left last year, I kind of lost my head for a while, then your acc
ident… but I’m back in the game,” he grinned.
“Glad to hear it.”
Pete opened his brief case and unloaded a stack of files plopping them down in front of Kyle. “Careful what ya wish for.”
“Why don’t you come back this Friday. After a short meeting then we can have a little social time.”
“Sounds good to me. Will your nurse,” Pete mimicked quotation marks, “be joining us for the social hour?” He asked slyly.
“You don’t give up do you? Yes, more than likely. I’ll warn her ahead of time since I can’t count on you to behave.”
“Whatever became of the wild-ass ladies’ man I used to know?”
“He grew up,” Kyle said, chuckling.
“Damn shame. It’s lonely here at the bottom. See ya Friday.”
“Thanks Pete. You’re a good friend. I appreciate all that you’ve been carrying.”
“We’re in this together. Always have been chief.” He saluted then left Kyle sifting through the files, already engrossed in work.
14
Ella needed to pick up a few basic toiletries, so they stopped at a Family Dollar on their way home from the park. As she and Finn perused the aisle full of tacky cheap toys, she found herself thinking that Kyle had probably never stepped foot in a dollar store his entire life, therefore neither had Finn.
“This is the greatest!” Finn exclaimed; eyes wide as he touched every bright object on the toy shelves.
“Pick out what you want, my treat.”
“Really? Can I have these swimming goggles and another noodle? Mine’s old and disgusting.”
“Sure. Why don’t we get this kick ball and we can play in the backyard when we get home?”
“Ella?”
“Yes?”
He held up a tennis ball, “Can I get this ball for my puppy?”
Her brow furrowed, “But you don’t have a puppy.”
“Yet,” he corrected her grinning from ear to ear.
“You are something else, do you know that?”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a yes. Just don’t tell your dad it’s for your dog or I’ll have some splainin’ to do,” she said.