The Wife Finder

by McClone, Melissa

  Her gaze jerked to Blaise before she stared at the street again. “Tracker? Internal or…”

  “External,” he said. “A friend built a prototype for a security application.”

  “You’re a beta tester.”

  Blaise nodded. “My friend is likely the only one excited about my sudden trip to San Francisco. Or will be once he finds out. Present company included.”

  Hadley didn’t need Blaise to tell her he’d rather be at his office. Each flash of annoyance when he glanced at another email or text on his phone told her that.

  Her palms sweated more. “Let’s hope you don’t have to test whether or not the tracker works.”

  “The bodyguard and the prototype are precautions because of something that recently happened. It’s no big deal,” he said, nonchalantly. “Only a handful of people know where I am at the moment. But even if more did, I’d be fine on my own here.”

  “Confident.”

  “Yes, but not reckless. I do what’s required of me.”

  Several of her clients had security teams. Some bodyguards had come into her office rather than staying in the lobby as Lex had.

  “Do you ever worry?” she asked.

  “About?”

  “Kidnappers, attacks, false accusations, frivolous lawsuits, gold-diggers?”

  He laughed. “That’s quite a list.”

  It was her turn to shrug.

  “It’s part of the package. Lifestyle, so to speak,” he admitted. “Having money comes with its own challenges. Security depends on how well-known you are and how many people you’ve upset along the way, but I prefer dealing with all this to…”

  “What?”

  “Not being wealthy.”

  She pulled behind a white Mercedes that was in the line of cars waiting to pick up students.

  He peered out the window. “What is everyone waiting for?”

  “Their kids. This is the pickup line. The students are brought out after the final bell.”

  “It’s orderly.”

  “You don’t want to be the person who goes against the flow. There is a procedure that must be followed.”

  “Sounds like your kind of place.”

  Okay, that was funny. Hadley hadn’t known whether or not he had a sense of humor. She grinned. “It is.”

  Maybe this afternoon wouldn’t be horrible. Hadley wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to have Blaise tag along with her. Perhaps it was his ignorance over what an afternoon with two active children would be like. This would be a lesson for him and also a way to see how he responded to the unexpected because he would be in for a surprise.

  “You mentioned the kids’ mom,” he said.

  “She’s my younger sister. They live with me.”

  “What about their dad?”

  The innocent questions made Hadley’s muscles tense. What happened to Clint wasn't a secret. The media had covered his arrest and trial for months. But her heart hurt for Fallon and what the guy had put her and the kids through.

  “They’re divorced. He’s in jail.” Hadley hated saying the name of the company so she whispered it.

  He gasped. Not surprising since the scandal had extended far beyond the Financial District in San Francisco.

  “That had to be rough,” Blaise said, compassion in his voice.

  “It was. My sister wasn’t involved, but they questioned her as if she were. I’m not sure I know all of what my sister went through.”

  But Hadley hoped someday Fallon would tell her everything. Until then, she wouldn’t push.

  “I’m sorry that happened to your sister, but she’s fortunate to have you in her corner.”

  “Always.” The same way Fallon was in hers. Maybe Hadley could use this as an opening to learn more about him. She’d searched his name after their phone call and was surprised to see little online about his personal life. “Do you have any brothers and sisters?”

  Blaise’s face hardened. “I’m an only child.”

  “Are your parents in the Portland area?”

  “No.” The word came out hard. “What about yours?”

  “Retired and living their best lives on a cruise ship.” Her mom and dad had worked and saved for years. They’d taught her from a young age to go after what she wanted, and she had. The same as they did with their retirement. “We see them a few times a year, but we talk weekly. They left San Francisco before Fallon’s life fell apart.”

  “What grades are her kids in?”

  Interesting. Blaise had flipped the conversation back to her. “First and second.”

  “Good kids?”

  “The best.” Hadley hadn’t believed it was possible to love two children that much. “But I'm their aunt so I’m biased.”

  She drove forward to see the two kids waiting in line for her. As both waved, her heart filled with warmth. She’d never had time for pets or plants. Building her business had been the priority, but now…

  “Are your niece and nephew the ones waving?” Blaise asked.

  “Yes.” Seeing the two kids’ smiling faces brightened her day.

  Thanks to Fallon and her children, Hadley had learned how much she’d been missing out on by spending all her time working. She enjoyed watching Audra and Ryder grow taller, noticing the changes in their faces, and hearing their new vocabulary.

  A volunteer from the school helped the kids into the car. They scrambled into their seats and buckled in.

  “Tug on your belts, please,” Hadley said as if they were passengers on a theme park ride.

  Ryder did and then leaned forward slightly. “Guess what happened today, Aunt Hadley?”

  His excitement level suggested it was something big. “What?”

  “Chloe Gold had a bloody nose at recess.” He made a face. “It was so gross.”

  “No one hit her,” Audra explained in her seven-going-on-seventeen tone.

  “She has infected sinuses,” Ryder added.

  Audra snorted. “A sinus infection, silly.”

  “I’m not silly.”

  “Then you’re stupid,” Audra shot back.

  Hadley cringed. “Kids…”

  “Am not!” Ryder yelled.

  “Are too.”

  Hadley cleared her throat and then pulled over to the side of the road. No way could she drive and talk to them at the same time the way Fallon did.

  “Aunt Hadley.” Audra sounded scandalized. “You’re blocking someone’s driveway. You’ll get in trouble. They might arrest you.”

  “We won’t be here long enough to get in trouble.” Hadley shifted positions so she could see the kids, who were sending dagger-filled glances at each other. “If the police come, I’ll explain why I had to stop.”

  Both kids’ faces paled and guilty expressions formed. Ryder’s bottom lip stuck out in a huge pout.

  Hadley’s gaze bounced between them. “Your mother doesn't allow you to use the word stupid.”

  A smug expression spread across Ryder’s face. “Audra said it, not me.”

  “Your mom also doesn’t like when you and your sister fight,” Hadley added in case Ryder thought he was an innocent party. Disagreeing was one thing, but name-calling was a big no-no. The kids knew this.

  Audra sighed. “I’m sorry for saying that, Aunt Hadley, and whoever else is in the front seat.”

  Blaise appeared to be trying not to laugh. She enjoyed seeing him relaxed, though she wished it was under better circumstances. “I’m texting Lex to make sure he knows everything is okay.”

  “Thanks.”

  The bodyguard storming up to the car would frighten the kids. Months after Clint’s arrest, sirens continued to scare Ryder and flashing lights upset Audra. No doubt she mentioned the police because of what happened to their dad.

  And to them.

  “Who’s Lex?” Audra asked, ever curious.

  “Let’s stay on-topic.” Hadley kept her gaze on her niece. “You apologized but not to the person you offended. What are you going to do about that?” />
  As Audra’s narrow shoulders sagged, her mouth twisted. She stared at her brother. “I'm sorry, Ryder. You’re not stupid.”

  Ryder nodded once. “I’m not, and I forgive you.”

  That didn’t take long. Hadley noticed the black SUV through the hatchback window.

  “Lex stopped behind us if you want to catch a ride with him,” Hadley said to Blaise, repositioning herself in the driver’s seat. She wanted to give him an out from the kids now that he’d gotten a taste of them and their squabble. The afternoon would go downhill from here as the witching hour—what Fallon called the late afternoon and early evening—grew closer.

  “No need,” he replied.

  She put the car in gear, turned on the blinker, and merged onto the street. “Kids, I want you to meet Mr. Mortenson. He’s spending the afternoon with us. Please introduce yourselves.”

  “I’m Audra Caples.” Her voice didn’t waver. “Does your beard itch?”

  Blaise rubbed his fingers over his facial hair. “Not now, but it did when I was first growing it.”

  “I want to have a beard,” Ryder chimed in. “I’m Ryder. I’m Audra’s brother. Are you Aunt Hadley’s boyfriend?”

  “No,” she and Blaise said at the same time.

  “Mr. Mortenson is considering working with me,” Hadley clarified.

  “Oh,” Audra said knowingly. “You’re going to find him a wife.”

  “Possibly.” Hadley saw the humor in his gaze. He appeared amused, but that might change after hours with the kids. “That’s why we’re going to talk.”

  “Since we have a guest, can we go for ice cream after Ryder’s soccer game?” Audra asked.

  Hadley should have seen that one coming. “We’ll see. You have dance class first.”

  “Aunt Hadley didn’t say no so that means we get ice cream, Mr. Mortenson,” Audra explained.

  Hadley glanced at her niece for a moment. “No, it doesn’t.”

  “It has every single other time,” Audra said.

  “Good for you on recognizing a pattern. That’s an excellent skill,” Blaise said. “And I appreciate you sharing insights about your aunt.”

  Sure, he did. Only because the info might help him.

  He should, however, know one thing about her. “I’m an open book. What you see is what you get.”

  “No secrets that need to be pried out of you?”

  “Not really.” Oh, she had them, but none that she wanted to tell anyone. Especially him.

  * * *

  The temperature was in the mid-seventies for Ryder’s game. Blaise stood on the sidelines without his suit jacket, which was in Hadley’s car, feeling as if he had stepped into an alternative universe.

  Little kids, similar in size to Ryder, stumbled and ran on the makeshift field. Chasing the ball seemed a more apt description than passing it. Orange cones marked the sidelines with two collapsible nets on either side.

  This appeared to be one step up from daycare, given the chaos. At least he was outdoors and not stuck inside the dance studio lobby with parents and siblings who didn’t understand the concept of talking quietly.

  Hadley stood next to Blaise. Audra sat on her left.

  He didn’t know what to make of the matchmaker. Hadley had gone from hard-nosed outside her office to doting aunt the minute the kids appeared. Though she hadn’t let them get away with much in the car or during their ten-minute stop at home to change clothes and grab a snack—string cheese, apple slices, and Goldfish crackers.

  He’d thought she was joking about not having any free time to speak with him. Now he wasn’t so sure.

  Blaise loosened his tie. He had a feeling they would be here a while.

  A boy kicked a goal. His team cheered. So did people standing near them. “Aren’t there teams? Sides?”

  “They don’t keep score at this age,” Hadley explained.

  “Of course, they do.” Blaise stared at her in disbelief. “The kids keep score in their heads.”

  “This is for fun and to learn skills.”

  She sounded serious as if she bought into the no scores and everyone gets a participation medal. He wouldn’t have expected that. “Kids still want to win.”

  “They’re only six. Kids enjoy making goals.”

  “To score.”

  She shook her head.

  Blaise nearly laughed. Jocks and geeks alike wanted to be on the winning team. He would prove it to Hadley, and he knew just the person to help him.

  He walked around Hadley to where her niece sat playing a game on a tablet. “Hey, Audra.”

  She glanced up. “Yes, Mr. M?”

  Audra and Ryder had started calling Blaise that after her dance lesson. Maybe Mortenson was too long of a name for them to say.

  “What’s your favorite thing when you play a game with your brother or friends?” he asked.

  “Beating everybody.” She grinned, a tooth missing from her smile. “I like to win.”

  He held up his hand to the girl. “Give me a high five.”

  She did.

  Satisfaction flowing through him, Blaise glanced over at Hadley. “See?”

  “That’s one data point.”

  He noticed the moms, dads, maybe a few grandparents given the gray hair, watching the soccer game. “I can find more.”

  “That’s okay.” Hadley clapped when Ryder entered the game. “I’ll ask my sister when she calls tonight.”

  “Will you admit defeat if I’m correct?”

  Hadley blew out a breath. “This isn’t a battle, but I’ll tell you what she says.”

  He hoped that meant she would let him hire her.

  “Sit next to me, Mr. M.” Audra patted the empty folding chair on her left. “My aunt always stands.”

  “Better view this way.” As Hadley grinned at Ryder on the field, her face lit up.

  Blaise’s breath stilled. He found himself mesmerized.

  “Go sit,” she added. “You’ve had a long day. You must be tired.”

  Not tired. More wanting to finish his business and get home because this day hadn’t turned out as he planned. “Thanks.”

  On the field, a boy with blond curls picked a dandelion. Okay, maybe that was the one kid who didn’t care about winning. But the grin on his face suggested he was having as much fun as his teammates at the opposite goal.

  Blaise glanced at his phone. Five past five. Time was ticking, and he wanted to make an earlier flight.

  He leaned toward Audra to whisper in her ear. “How long is the game?”

  “Too long.” She shook her head. “They still have to have halftime.”

  Halftime? He perked up. “How long does that last?”

  Audra shrugged.

  “Not long enough for our meeting if that’s what you want to know.” Hadley’s gaze pinned him.

  He held up his hands. “I only asked a question. Pee wee soccer isn’t my usual venue.”

  “Fine, but it’s not too late to have Lex take you to your hotel and we can meet in the morning.”

  “I don’t mind if you have the meeting now,” Audra said with a thoughtful expression on her face.

  “Thanks, sweetie.” Hadley touched the girl’s shoulder. “But I want to watch Ryder. I told Mr. Mortenson the two of you come before our meeting.”

  The girl straightened. “If you marry him, you won’t have to have a meeting.”

  Whoa. The kid had it all wrong.

  “I can’t date a client,” Hadley said before Blaise could respond.

  That was a good rule. Not that he wanted to hire Hadley’s services for himself, but he needed to explain the situation in person. Which he’d hoped to do already.

  The corners of Audra’s mouth turned down. “But Ryder and I need an uncle. Colby has an uncle who plays four-square with him. Mr. M could do that with us and other stuff.”

  No, Blaise couldn’t.

  Nothing against the kid. She appeared to be potty-trained and able to speak in full sentences. She also hadn’t v
omited yet. All plusses, or maybe that was normal for seven-year-olds.

  Or was she six? He couldn’t remember.

  “Colby’s dad died.” Audra’s voice was softer than it had been. “Ours is still alive, but it feels like he’s dead. Even before he went to jail, he wasn’t around.”

  Blaise sat, unable to speak. Not from what the girl had said, but from understanding the emotion behind her words. He’d been part of a happy family, but drugs had stolen his parents from him. Once that happened, his mom and dad hadn’t been around because they’d either been high or chasing the next fix.

  Hadley kneeled next to Audra’s chair. “It’s hard not having your dad around, but he loves you. Your parents aren’t together now, but that doesn’t change how they feel about you and Ryder.”

  Audra nodded. “That’s what Mom says.”

  Blaise remembered what Hadley had told him about her sister.

  They’re divorced. He’s in jail.

  Caples.

  The kids’ last name sounded so familiar.

  And then it hit him.

  Hadley had told him the name of the firm, but he finally connected the dots. Their dad must be Clint Caples. He and three others had nearly taken down an investment firm with their shady dealings. The scandal had riveted the finance world.

  “Wait…” Eyes wide, Audra glanced up at Blaise. “If you can’t marry Aunt Hadley, you can marry my mom. She’s pretty. And nice. Except when you want an extra cookie. Or forget to clean your room, then she gets on you. But if you put your dirty clothes in the hamper, I’m sure you’ll get along fine.”

  Oh, boy. Blaise had no idea what to say. He rubbed his neck.

  “That won’t work because Mr. Mortenson doesn’t live in San Francisco,” Hadley said as if that was the only reason against the marriage. “He’s only in town for a meeting and will fly home to Oregon tomorrow.”

  “Tonight,” Blaise said a beat after her.

  “You should stay,” Audra said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Aunt Hadley makes lasagna for dinner on Tuesdays. It’s my favorite. Though Ryder likes her enchilada pie better.”

  “Sorry I’ll miss it.”

  “Maybe when you come back,” Audra said as if she believed this was only the first time she would see him.

  His next trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be to visit Hadley. He doubted he would see Audra or her brother after tonight. Still, Blaise nodded.