by Natalie Ann
Poor Daniel, he hadn’t had time to get out of his suit or eat, while rushing to check on her and later organizing the children.
A few minutes later, he descended the stairs in sweatpants and a T-shirt.
“Here’s your food and tea.” She sat beside him at the round glass table in the dining area.
“Go ahead. Tell me about your week. When did the calls start?” His calm, professional tone helped her maintain a poise she was far from feeling.
“Tuesday evening.” She sighed and watched him wolf his food while she tried to remember the significant details. “As soon as I stepped in the house, the phone started ringing. Steve inquired about my day, my week, and my month, about Lizzie’s health and school. Immediately I noticed his voice was subdued. Nothing like his usual authoritarian tone. I asked him if he was okay. He explained that two months ago, they diagnosed him with cancer of the liver, and he’d immediately started chemo.”
“It must have been hard on you.”
“Terribly hard. I haven’t often agreed with him, but to learn he had cancer was a shock. He couldn’t talk long. Hardly ten minutes. And he hung up. Half an hour later, he called again, telling me he deeply regretted not knowing his daughter and wanted to meet her. I had trouble believing my ears. It was the first time he called her ‘my daughter.’ Then he ended the call and called again an hour later, repeating the same thing. And so on, all night on Tuesday. I was exhausted, trying to cook and give dinner to Lizzie while listening to him and thinking about how to answer.”
“So, now he wants to meet her. How do you feel about it?”
She scoffed. “That’s my line as a psychologist, Daniel.”
He chuckled. “Well, how do you answer that line?”
“No, I’m not pleased. On Wednesday, same story, he called a dozen times. Always for only a few minutes. He sounded more tired and kept repeating his desire to meet her. He added he wanted her to remember him with love and pray for him. Can you imagine that, coming from a man who’d never stepped into a church since he left school? He wants to officially recognize her as his daughter, give her his last name, which she already has, by the way, since my name is still Meredith Homer. And he wants to divide his inheritance in three, between his two sons and his little daughter.”
“That’s the right thing to do, Meredith. Why are you upset about it?”
“Because on Thursday, his young son, Codi, called me and yelled at me, calling me a thief who wants to take advantage of his terminally ill father and deprive his legitimate sons of their inheritance.”
“That’s between him and his father.”
“I can’t tell him that.” Her dismay grew as she talked. “Steve has neglected his sons, divorcing their mother when they were age six and ten, and hardly seen them for years.”
“But that’s not your problem.”
“I know. And Steve kept calling and repeating that he had to see Lizzie. Then his lawyer talked to me, insisting I should bring her to Columbus. Both Steve and his lawyer want to do a paternity test that would convince everyone.”
“I was going to suggest it. It’s the right thing to do.”
“You’re talking as a lawyer,” she blew out. “How can I do that? I’m worried about my daughter’s safety. The older son, Don, called today, threatening me, saying that my daughter and I would deeply regret the day I try to come close to his father.”
“What a jerk. No wonder you were crying after his call.”
“I don’t want their money and never asked Steve for a penny. I don’t want them to keep harassing Lizzie for years.” Emotion clogged her throat. She swallowed a long sip of tea to recover her poise.
“I know, Meredith. Regardless of the money, one day your daughter will ask about her natural father. She may resent you if she discovers you’ve deprived her of him.”
“I’m worried about her safety, with her two half-brothers determined to harm her.”
“Even if you don’t go to Columbus, Steve Homer may name her as a beneficiary. His health is degrading, but he’s in total control of his mental faculties. No one, neither you nor his sons, can tell him what to do with his fortune and his will.” Daniel held her gaze, and his mouth curved into a gentle smile. “If he passes in a few months or weeks, won’t you regret depriving him of his last wish?”
Tears tickled her eyes at the bleak future. “I sure will.”
“Then let’s go tomorrow. I will drive you and stay with you. You can introduce me as your lawyer.”
She arched her eyebrows. “My lawyer?”
“You need a lawyer to represent you and defend your interests. I won’t charge much.” His smile turned wicked. “You can pay me in kisses.”
“My lawyer,” she repeated. A nervous laugh shook her. “Imagine that.” Daniel would defend her interests while pursuing Les.
What a betrayal... Oh God, what a mess. Les would hate her to his last day when he learned she was dating his prosecutor.
Suddenly, she burst into tears, losing her tiny thread of control.
***
“Meredith, what’s going on, sweetheart?” Daniel scrambled up and pushed his chair to gather her into his arms and lead her to the living room. He sat on the sofa and pulled her down next to him. “I promise I’ll help you. Don’t be so desperate. You can’t let this deprive you of sleep or destroy your health.”
“No,” she sobbed, and dropped her head against his chest. “I... I hate... all men... all of them... Steve, Les, Daniel, Jerry. All, especially Jerry. I can’t lose my child. I can’t,” she hiccupped between her cries.
Seriously worried about her hopelessness, Daniel cuddled her against him, stroking her back and caressing her head. Eventually her cries subsided. He kept soothing her, and after a while, he realized she’d fallen asleep. She mustn’t have slept much during the last four nights.
In the next room, the TV blasted music, and he assumed the children might be awake. He’d given them permission to play to their hearts’ content and wouldn’t bother them. Anyhow, the TV program would end by eleven, and the kids would probably drift off by then.
Very slowly, he lifted Meredith’s legs onto the sofa. Careful not to disturb her sleep, he lowered her torso down to his lap, with his arm cradling her head.
Now she could relax until the morning, and he would watch over her while she slept. He closed his eyes to better enjoy the feeling of her in his arms and remember her last words. I hate... all men... all of them... Steve, Les, Daniel, Jerry. All, especially Jerry.
The sentence didn’t make sense to him.
Why on earth had she grouped him in with the people she hated?
Why did she hate Steve when she felt sorry for him?
Why did she hate Les when she’d referred to him as a good friend?
Why was she still thinking of Jeremy Dodd after so long?
And why was she worried about losing her child?
With a sigh, Daniel opened his eyes and studied her lovely features. Did he really know her? Would he ever understand her?
Chapter Nine
Meredith stirred and blinked a few times when she realized she couldn’t move her head and arms. Good Lord, what had happened to her? Why did she feel paralyzed? Suddenly terrified, she opened big eyes and scanned whatever she could see of her surroundings.
“Oh. My. God.” Her grimace of fear morphed into a delighted smile. She was comfortably cuddled in Daniel’s arms, her head on his lap. No wonder she’d slept so well. Why not continue?
But she caught his smiling face bent toward hers. “Comfy?” he inquired.
“Very. I guess I have to wake up.”
“Not necessarily.” He brushed her lips with a kiss.
“Thank you for taking good care of me last night. I slept so well in your—” She stopped short, her cheeks warming.
“Anytime, sweetheart.” His eyes twinkled with amusement, and he kissed her, a slow, delicious kiss that melted her insides. “Meredith, you could sleep in my arms every nig
ht if you want.” His hand caressed her throat, creating exciting tingles all over her body.
“I’d like that.”
“Seriously, babe?”
She chuckled. “If by seriously you mean with all the meanings of the word sleep, then yes...seriously.”
“Oh, Meredith, my sweet. Move in with me, please. I’ll help you sleep well every night. And we’ll help each other with the children.”
“It’s tempting, but crazy. I need my space, and you need yours.”
“Mommy?”
“Daddy?”
The two calls reached them almost together.
“Bummer,” she said, and they both chuckled.
“Duty calls.” He let her go.
“And our demanding kids.” She bounced up.
The screams of “Mommy” and “Daddy” amplified.
“Coming,” Meredith answered.
Lizzie was still in her sleeping bag, Wendy next to her, and Noah was sitting on his sleeping bag.
“I took Wendy and Taco to the litter box, and I gave them their breakfast. Now we’re hungry, Lizzie and me.”
“Come out of you bag, Lizzie. Big hugs for Mommy and Uncle Daddy. You too, Noah.”
The kids distributed their morning hugs.
“Go wash your face and get ready for the day while I cook French toast for everybody. Meredith, right after breakfast, I’ll drive you to Columbus for the paternity tests. The sooner you get it over with, the better. I’ll call Steve’s lawyer and introduce myself as your lawyer. We should present a strong front.”
“Whatever.” She shrugged and went upstairs to help the children dress. Daniel was right. His presence at her side as her lawyer would prevent the other party, more precisely Steve’s sons, from trying to bully her or take advantage of her.
A few minutes later, the delicious smells of maple syrup and freshly brewed coffee welcomed them in the kitchen. They gathered around the glass dining table, and the children attacked their French toast with a healthy appetite.
Daniel was still on the phone. “No, Mr. Emery, both the alleged father and daughter must take the paternity tests at the same time, in the same clinic. We can’t accept the results given by different labs at different times.”
Meredith wanted to hug him for his assertiveness. For a change, his prosecutor qualities were working for her rather than against her.
“We’ll stop at Mr. Homer’s house in about two hours, and we’ll all go to the closest clinic together. Thank you. We’ll see you soon.” He hung up and stuffed a big bite of toast in his mouth. “Meredith, eat your breakfast while I shower and get ready. Then we’ll stop by your house for you to change.”
Fifteen minutes later, Daniel returned to the kitchen in beige suit pants and a brown button-down shirt, holding his tie and jacket in one hand and his tablet in the other.
Amazing how this man could look so powerful without losing an ounce of his charm.
“The kids ate and washed their mouths and hands.”
“We’re taking Taco and Wendy, right, Daddy?” Noah said with as much assertiveness as his dad.
“No, buddy. Today we can’t take them. But we can leave them here to play together all day in the laundry room. They’ll be happy.”
“All right.” Lizzie approved and kissed her kitten. “You be a good girl, Wendy.”
***
“Noah, take Lizzie to the car and help her up in her car seat. You two try to buckle your seatbelts. I’ll be with you in a sec.” Daniel helped himself to French toast and gulped the rest of his coffee. “Meredith, I want you to look very professional, as usual. We won’t let the lawyer, or the Homer sons, intimidate us.”
“Thank you, Daniel.” She came to hug him.
He wrapped his arms around her and caught her gaze. “I’ll do anything for you, Meredith. Just trust me. And stop hating me, if possible,” he added with a twisted smile, expecting her to chuckle and deny it. “Not that I understand what grudge you may hold against me.”
“I’m trying to forget the past, Daniel.” Lost in her memories, she lowered her gaze. “But it’s not easy. Sometimes, I hate you as much as I love you.” She cradled his face and kissed him, a passionate kiss, so intense it left him gasping and more confused than ever.
“As much as you love me? This is the first time you’ve said you love me. And you throw it out so casually? And associate it with the word hate?”
She sighed and shrugged. “I’ve loved you and hated you since I was seventeen. I guessed I’m used to both feelings.”
“No, no, no, babe. Forget the hate part. I want you to love me and trust me. As I do.”
“You don’t love me, and you don’t trust me.”
“But can’t you see—”
“You’re just a nice guy who’s used to doing the right thing. And now you need a mother for your son. We’ll help each other with the children, as you said. That’s all.”
Irritated at the stupid conclusion she’d reached, he scrubbed his forehead. “That’s not all on my part. We’ll discuss it later.” He sobered and eased her away. “The children are waiting in the car. Let’s go.”
Five minutes later, he stopped in her driveway. “Do you need Lizzie with you?”
“Yes, for a few minutes.”
“Noah and I will wait in the car.”
“I’ll be quick.”
She reappeared ten minutes later in a green printed dress with a matching green jacket, her daily beige high-heeled pumps on her feet and her matching big handbag strapped to her shoulder. She’d pulled her hair back with a rhinestone barrette, applied her usual makeup, and dabbed on her gardenia perfume.
He jumped out of the car and held the passenger door open for her, and whistled when she slid into her seat, her skirt hiking a few inches above her knee. “As professional and lovely as ever.”
“And me?” Lizzie asked.
He lifted the little girl up into his arms for a hug, sat her in her car seat, and buckled her. “You are adorable in your pretty blue dress and that blue bow holding your hair back.”
“And my shoes are blue too. See.” She lifted her legs.
“So pretty, my little princess. Now you two can chat, play, or watch cartoons on Noah’s laptop. We have a long way to Columbus.”
“Why are we going to Columbus, Daddy?” Noah asked.
“To meet people. You’ll see. Meanwhile, have fun.”
***
During the trip, they planned their visit with Steve and the lawyer and agreed about what to say. When Daniel slowed in front of a large one-story house, Meredith checked the house number. It was the right one. The door opened, and a man in a dark suit walked toward Daniel’s SUV. Daniel jumped out and strode to him, and they shook hands.
And then an older man appeared at the entrance and stood there, watching the car. And Meredith’s heart tumbled to her feet. Where was the dashing businessman who’d swept her off her feet when they’d first met? Or even the cool, rational womanizer who’d flirted right and left and irritated the hell out of her? His back hunched over, he looked so frail, so tired, she forgot her resentment and ran toward him.
“Steve.”
“My beautiful Meredith.” He opened his arms and hugged her, and then held her at arm’s length, his gaze roaming over her. “I’ve been such a fool. The biggest idiot on earth. Forgive me, sweetheart.”
“Oh Steve, I’m sorry you’ve been so sick.” She stayed at his side, holding his arm, and he leaned on her.
“Joe,” he called. “Meet my beautiful ex-wife, Meredith Homer. Joe Emery, my lawyer.”
She extended her hand to the lawyer. “Steve, here is my lawyer, Daniel O’Malley. He was kind enough to drive us here.” That was the line they’d agreed upon in the car.
She threw a glance at Daniel, and he winked his approval.
“Where’s Lizzie?” Steve raised his head to look at the SUV. “Can I see her?”
“Of course,” Meredith said, but Steve wouldn’t let go of her arm.
“Daniel, please get Lizzie out.”
Daniel opened the back door and helped Lizzie out. He bent to talk to her. The little girl held his hand and walked with him to her mother and the old man beside her, her father.
“Lizzie, sweetie, give a big smile to Mr. Steve and say hello,” Meredith instructed.
“Hello, Mr. Steve,” she said with a frightened smile. “Can I go back to play with Noah?”
“Give me your hand, sweetie.” Steve extended a shaking hand to the small daughter he was meeting for the first time. Lizzie obeyed, then ran to the car and Noah.
“She’s an adorable child. So pretty.” Steve shut his eyes. “How could I have been so foolish? How did I deprive myself of my beautiful young family?”
The nurse who’d been standing in the doorway stepped next to her patient. “Steve has been standing too long. He’s getting tired.”
“Would you like to come inside and have a coffee, Merry?”
“We’d better go to the clinic and do the tests right away,” she answered immediately.
“I don’t need tests. I know she’s my beautiful daughter.”
“Maybe, Steve. But others like your sons and lawyer need proof. Let’s go,” she said in a brisk tone.
She let the nurse handle her patient and hurried to the car where Daniel had already settled the little girl in her car seat.
“Mommy, I wanna go home,” Lizzie squealed as Daniel started the engine.
“Soon, sweetie. But first we have to go somewhere.”
“You go. I’ll stay in the car with Noah.”
Meredith huffed and glanced at Daniel. “We’ll have lunch at a very nice restaurant.”
“Not with the old man. He’s scary.”
“Noah, play with Lizzie.”
“I am, but she only wants to talk about the scary old man.”
“He’s a very sick man, Lizzie. But he’s my friend, and he’s very nice. And he likes you a lot.”
“No, you never said that before.”
“Bummer,” Meredith hissed between her teeth.
Daniel laughed. “Relax. Things will work out. Let me take care of her.”
