The Wife Finder

by McClone, Melissa

  “Ryder has the ball,” Hadley said, sounding excited.

  The boy ran toward the goal with the others chasing after him. He kicked and scored.

  Hadley and Audra cheered. People clapped. The coach gave Ryder a high five. The boy’s face lit up.

  Blaise’s breath caught. He was glad Ryder had this team and a coach. One person could make all the difference to a kid. His high school math teacher had gone above and beyond for Blaise. So had the school’s custodian.

  Both had initially reported Blaise’s home situation to a school administrator. He’d resented them for doing that until he learned filing a report was mandatory because of their jobs. In doing so, they’d fulfilled their obligation and then could help him.

  His eyes stung. He rubbed whatever it was irritating them. Must be pollen or something in the air.

  “Do you play soccer, Mr. M?” Audra asked.

  “I did when I was in school. During PE class.”

  Her eyebrows drew together. “You weren’t on a team after school, too?”

  “No.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  The familiar ache—a small one that was always present—grew larger. He ignored it. The same way he tried to put his past behind him. This wasn’t the time to explain to a kid, however bright she might be, about his junkie parents. All he could do was nod.

  Her gaze narrowed. “Do you like soccer?”

  “I like it a lot.”

  Audra rubbed her chin. “You should join a team now. They have ones for old people.”

  Out of the mouth of babes. He laughed.

  Hadley gasped. “Mr. Mortenson isn’t old. He’s younger than me.”

  Interesting. She must have researched him. Even if he was younger, it couldn’t be by much. A year or two at most. “Everyone is old when you’re seven.”

  Audra nodded so he must have guessed her age correctly. “See, Aunt Hadley?”

  “You need a lesson in manners.” Hadley sounded more amused than angry. She looked at him. “Go to the car, if you need to work.”

  Lex was around so Blaise could sit in the SUV, too. His cell phone had been relatively quiet. Whatever was in his inbox could wait for now. “Maybe at halftime.”

  Ryder kicked the ball away from an opponent. Blaise clapped. “Way to go, Ryder.”

  The kid grinned at Blaise before giving the thumbs-up sign. Blaise returned the gesture.

  He didn’t care about the game—there were a hundred other places he would rather be—but he didn’t want to desert the kids. He’d been there, and it sucked. Ryder and Audra had been through enough at their young ages. Even though they were strangers, the least Blaise could do was stay here and cheer.

  And he did.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Somehow Hadley survived the afternoon and evening. Standing at the sink, she rinsed off a plate. Blaise, however, appeared ready for a nap—or bedtime with the way he yawned. She would have thought a CEO would have more energy. Though, kids could be draining in a different way than leading a team of employees or attending meetings.

  As she finished doing the dishes, he sat at the table with Audra and Ryder. The kids filled in math worksheets while he worked on his laptop. The only one who seemed unhappy with their guest was the cat. Tiny had disappeared after they arrived home. Most likely he was under a bed.

  Blaise glanced from the computer to the kids’ worksheet. Concern filled his gaze.

  Talk about adorable.

  He must have noticed a mistake because he reached his hand toward Ryder’s paper before pulling it away.

  Blaise bit his lip.

  Poor guy, he didn’t know what to say or do.

  He’d suffered enough through the dance class, soccer game, ice cream shop, and dinner. He’d even removed his shoes like the kids had when they arrived home.

  The least she could do was help him out. “Did you both check your work?”

  Audra nodded.

  “Oops.” Ryder raised his pencil. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he erased something.

  Blaise’s relief was palpable.

  She faced the sink to keep from laughing.

  After Hadley loaded the last plate into the dishwasher, she glanced at the microwave clock. “Okay, kids. It’s time to get ready for bed.”

  Blaise perked up. “Does this mean it’s almost time?”

  “To read a story?” she teased.

  “Ha ha.”

  Too bad she wasn’t joking, but he’d been better with the kids than she thought he would be. He hadn’t been silent after he sent Lex to a hotel to rest and wait for his call. Blaise had even eaten two servings of the crockpot turkey chili.

  “You laugh now,” she joked. “But just you wait and see.”

  He glanced at the time. “After story time?”

  She nodded. “We can talk business.”

  A brilliant smile crinkled the corners of his eyes and took her breath away. No man should look that hot. At least, finding him a wife wouldn’t be that difficult. He checked all the boxes.

  ✓ Gorgeous

  ✓ Nice

  ✓ Smart

  ✓ Rich

  She never made the final decision about taking on a client until talking to the person and making sure what they wanted aligned with the service she provided. So far, though, she had no reason not to want to work with Blaise. And yes, spending the additional time with him was helping her feel that way.

  The arrogance he’d displayed during their phone call wasn’t something new to her. That level of cockiness often went with the job title and net worth. Yet, she appreciated the way he’d toned it down in front of the kids. Well, other than at the soccer game about keeping score, but Audra had been too busy playing the game on her tablet to pay attention to what they were discussing.

  He dressed well, but Hadley didn’t know if he chose his own clothes or hired someone to shop for him. Either way, the style worked for him. Some clients needed fashion makeovers before dating because a wardrobe needed more than shorts, sweats, jeans, graphic T-shirts, and hoodies.

  “Finished,” Audra said.

  “Me, too.” Ryder placed his pencil on the table. “You know what that means.”

  Both kids scrambled from the table and ran toward their bedroom.

  Blaise stared after them. “Where are they going?”

  “To get ready for bed.”

  “So we can—”

  “After their bedtime routine.”

  She waited for him to ask how long that would take, but he went back to work on his computer, so she made the kids lunches for tomorrow.

  Twenty minutes later, Audra appeared wearing her favorite pajamas, the ones covered in cute llamas. “Ryder is getting out of the shower.”

  That was Hadley’s signal; the kids were almost ready for her. “Teeth brushed?”

  Audra showed off her pearly whites. “Clean and minty fresh.”

  “Good job.” Hadley dried her hands on a kitchen towel. “Let’s go.”

  “Ryder wants Blaise to read to us tonight,” Audra said. “I don’t mind if he does.”

  Her hopeful tone suggested she wanted that, too.

  Hadley glanced at Blaise. “That’s usually my job, but you’re welcome to it.”

  Audra bounced on the tips of her toes but didn’t speak.

  He hesitated, a wary gleam in his eyes. “I haven’t read a story to someone, most likely myself, in a couple of decades.”

  “This will be a much easier audience to please than investors,” Hadley encouraged.

  He closed his laptop and stood. “Lead the way.”

  Audra did.

  Hadley added soap and then turned on the dishwasher. By the time she reached the kids’ room, Blaise was sitting on the edge of Ryder’s bed and reading from C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. As if entranced, the kids stared at him.

  Seeing her niece and nephew enthralled didn’t surprise Hadley, but the book wasn’t the one they’d been reading last n
ight. And then she remembered—after Clint’s sentencing, a box addressed to the kids had arrived from Cassandra’s Attic. Inside had been The Chronicles of Narnia in paperback but no note. The kids were certain their dad had sent it, but Clint had never said a word about the books.

  Blaise closed the cover. “That’s a chapter for each of you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. M.” Audra cuddled her stuffed llama. “You did good.”

  Ryder held on to a shark. His space-ship-themed pajamas didn’t coordinate with his stuffed animal. “Really good.”

  “Thank you,” Blaise said. “So…”

  “You need to check for monsters. Under here first.” Audra pointed to the bottom of the beds and at the closet. “Over there.”

  “Is that where they hide?” he asked.

  Audra nodded. “Either my mom or aunt checks every night.”

  “Sometimes both of them,” Ryder added. “That way we’re safe. Nothing will come out and scare us in the middle of the night.”

  Hadley held her breath, praying Blaise wouldn’t laugh at the kids. They’d had nightmares for months after Clint’s arrest in front of them. They’d watched investigators carry out computers, electronics, and other items from the only home they’d ever known, one that no longer belonged to them.

  “We can’t have anyone getting scared.” Blaise kneeled between the two beds. He checked under Audra’s and then Ryder’s, sticking his arm underneath. “These are clear of monsters except for one cat who is giving me the evil eye.”

  “That’s Tiny,” Audra explained. “Only he’s big now.”

  “Big and fat and sleeps all the time,” Ryder added. “Now the closet.”

  As Blaise turned, he caught Audra’s eye and smiled. “We’re making sure no monsters are hiding.”

  “You look as if you have experience doing this.”

  He winked, sending her pulse stuttering. “I’m a fast learner.”

  Blaise opened the door, pushed the clothes aside, and stepped inside, which was something neither she nor Fallon had ever done. After he stepped out and closed the door, he focused on the kids. “All clear. No monsters in there, either.”

  The kids cheered.

  “Is there anything else you need?” he asked them.

  “You need to tuck us in,” Audra said.

  His forehead creased. “You’re already in bed.”

  “Yes, but we’re not tucked in,” Ryder explained.

  Blaise’s glance went from one child to the other. “I don’t know what that means.”

  Audra’s eyes widened. “Didn’t your parents tuck you in?”

  “No.” His voice was hoarse. He cleared his throat. “My parents never did that.”

  Or if they had, he didn’t remember, Hadley thought.

  Blaise’s sad tone tugged at her heart. She went toward the bed.

  “Can you two teach me how to do it?” he asked the kids.

  Hadley stopped.

  “Sure,” Audra said. “You take the edges of the sheet and blanket and tuck them under the mattress.”

  “Nice and tight so we don’t fall out,” Ryder added.

  Blaise did as instructed to both. “How did I do?”

  “Great,” Audra announced.

  Ryder nodded. “The bestest. Thanks.”

  Blaise shifted his weight between his feet. “Goodnight?”

  He almost appeared nervous, which endeared him to Hadley more.

  “Okay, you guys. Lights out.” She kissed each child on their forehead before turning off the light on the nightstand between the two beds. “I love you both. Sweet dreams.”

  Blaise followed her into the living room where he sat on the couch. “Now is it time for our meeting?”

  “Yes, I just—”

  Her phone rang in the kitchen. “It’s probably my sister. She’ll want an update on the kids. I’ll make it fast.”

  Another ring sounded.

  Blaise yawned. “I’ve waited this long. Another five minutes doesn’t matter.”

  She hurried and grabbed her phone from the counter. Fallon’s name and number appeared on the screen.

  Hadley answered. “How’s LA?”

  “Not bad, but I miss everyone. How did today go?”

  “Well.” She gave a brief rundown of everything including the soccer game. “By the way, do you think Ryder knows the score even though there’s no scoreboard?”

  “He’s told me the score after a game, so yes. I keep track, too, though I’ve never mentioned it to him.”

  Guess Blaise was right.

  “Competition is part of human nature,” Fallon added. “Then again, I was more into sports than you were.”

  “You still are.” Hadley glanced at the time. “The kids are in bed, and I have a meeting.”

  “At this hour?”

  “Long story, which I’ll tell you when you get home.” Otherwise, she would keep Blaise waiting. Again. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

  Hadley plugged in her phone to charge and went into the living room. “That was…”

  Blaise was asleep on the couch, his head resting against a throw pillow. The corners of his mouth tipped upward. He looked so peaceful and young. Nothing like the businessman who’d wanted an appointment with her this afternoon.

  “Blaise?” she asked.

  He didn’t stir.

  The day must have caught up with him, but should she let Blaise sleep?

  Hadley knew someone who might tell her. She went into the kitchen for her phone and typed a text.

  Hadley: Blaise fell asleep on my couch. Should I wake him?

  Lex (Bodyguard): Let him sleep. Have him call me in the morning.

  Hadley: Will do.

  Lex (Bodyguard): He’ll want coffee as soon as he wakes up.

  Hadley: Thanks for letting me know.

  After double-checking that her phone was charging, Hadley grabbed the fleece blanket from a nearby chair and covered Blaise with it. She couldn’t tuck in the edges, but this would keep him warm enough. He wouldn’t care about monsters which meant the only thing else missing from the bedtime routine was a kiss on the forehead.

  But she didn’t dare.

  Instead, she allowed her gaze to linger on his handsome face. “Sweet dreams, Blaise.”

  Hadley had a feeling when he woke up, his serene expression would be nothing more than a memory.

  * * *

  Sunlight streamed onto his face. That was odd because Blaise usually woke when it was dark outside. He also hadn’t heard his alarm beep.

  What was going on?

  Staring at the ceiling, his dry eyes burned. He blinked. And then he realized…

  I slept in my contacts.

  How had that happened?

  And why was his neck achy? His back was stiff, too. At least no headache. Except something was on top of him.

  Something heavy.

  Two wide green eyes met his. The cat, not-so-tiny Tiny, was lying on his chest.

  “Good morning?” Blaise wasn’t sure what to say to a cat. He’d never had pets growing up. He wasn’t home enough to have one now. “You have too much padding to be hungry.”

  White whiskers twitched.

  “I need to get up, so please move.”

  The cat remained where he was and continued to stare at him.

  Okay, Blaise was bigger. He could handle Tiny.

  Outside, what sounded like a garbage truck drove past.

  The cat jumped off of him.

  “You need a new name, Tiny.” Blaise sat up.

  A plaid fleece blanket fell to his waist. He didn’t remember covering himself with it, which meant someone else—most likely Hadley—had. His suit jacket hung off the back of a green velvet chair. Two backpacks sat near his computer bag on the floor. Shoes, too.

  He’d been on the couch and closed his eyes for a few minutes. He must have fallen sound asleep. The consequences of doing that hit hard. He not only had missed his chance to speak with Hadley but also to return home last night.
The day must have worn him out, which was unusual. He hadn’t had time for more nano-naps. Maybe those worked better than he imagined.

  Blaise dragged his hand through his hair and then stretched his arms over his head. He needed to take out his contacts, shower, and brush his teeth. His bag with a change of clothes was with Lex. Who was probably wondering where he was.

  He reached for his phone, but it wasn’t in his pocket. Panic shot through him. He had no idea of the time. The markets could be open by now.

  “You’re awake.” Hadley stood in the entrance to the living room. Holding a wooden spoon, she wore a pink apron covered in red hearts over her white shirt and black pants.

  His heart beat faster. Something that had nothing to do with his being out of touch with the rest of the world.

  Weird.

  Because he didn’t understand the reaction.

  Yes, Hadley was pretty, but seeing her now flipped his stomach inside out. He hadn’t felt this way in years. Back then, work had triggered the reaction. A woman never had. He must be tired.

  Blaise rolled his head to one side, stretching the muscles in his neck. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

  “No apology needed,” she said. “Kids wear you out whether or not you’re used to it.”

  “Our meeting…”

  “Will happen this morning.”

  Hadley didn’t have to tell him her priority was getting the kids to school. “At nine,” he confirmed.

  She nodded.

  Just as she’d told him yesterday. Blaise half laughed. “Proud of yourself for being right?”

  Hadley shrugged. “Not really, because you wanted to get home last night.”

  He hadn’t expected her to acknowledge that. “I need to text Lex.”

  “I did after you fell asleep. When you’re ready to leave, let him know. Your phone is charging in the kitchen.”

  That was thoughtful of her, but after seeing Hadley Lowell in action, he had a feeling she wasn’t as rigid as he first imagined. “Thanks.”

  “My sister called last night. You were correct about the game scores. Fallon said she and Ryder keep track.”

  The victory was hollow because he was in San Francisco when he should be in his own bed in Portland. “Now you know.”