by Elsie Davis
“Want to elaborate?” Garrett lifted his left eyebrow slightly and cocked his head to the side.
“Not really. The past is in the past, and I prefer to keep it that way.” She pulled the donuts from the bag and laid them on the plate for when the kids woke up. Nothing like starting them off with a sugar rush, but it would score some points for Garrett. “Hope black coffee was okay?”
“It’s perfect. The stronger, the better as far as I’m concerned.” His mouth curled up, tiny crow’s feet appearing at the corners of his eyes. He might look a little rough, but his smile was the only thing she noticed when he turned on his charm.
“The Sweeter Side of Life has some of the best coffee and donuts around, or at least, that’s the way the locals tell it.” April took the lid off her Hazelnut coffee and blew on it, trying to cool it off.
“Right now, I’d take generic week-old coffee over the weak chai tea my mother keeps in the house.”
April laughed, remembering his mother with fondness. “Sarah was definitely an avid tea drinker, and she was forever trying to get others to switch from coffee to tea, claiming it was better for their bodies. I don’t remember her having much success. I do know, however, there is some coffee hidden away here for the non-converts. Your mother wasn’t a barbarian.” She shot him one of her famous be-real looks, took a bite of her powdered jelly donut, and then wiped at her mouth with a napkin, all without batting an eye.
“Then please, point me to it.” He leaned forward and brushed her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
The move caught her unawares, and she drew in a deep breath, trying to remember what he’d asked, the tingling she felt all the way down to her toes befuddling her brain.
“You had sugar on your face,” he teased, the devilish twinkle in his eyes telling. “The coffee?” he repeated.
Yes, that’s it. Coffee.
April slid one of the chairs toward the refrigerator and stood on it. She reached into the cupboard over the top and pulled out the coffee pot, the filters, and the bag of coffee and placed them on the counter. “Here you are. I didn’t think to get it out because I’m not much of a coffee drinker, myself. Ramps me up too much.”
“You’re naturally this energetic in the morning?” The way he asked the question sounded as though he was paying her a compliment, and she couldn’t help the warmth that flooded her face and throat.
“I guess you could say that. This morning’s coffee is a treat. Hazelnut with cream. It’s more like a coffee beverage than coffee.” She’d learned long ago that coffee agitated her more than it ever woke her up. Her job kept her on edge enough with adding to it.
“I would tend to agree.” He chuckled.
A cry echoed from upstairs. Sandy. “Sounds as though your day is about to begin. Want me to get her?” April had fallen in love with the little girl, her heart breaking for all three of the Williams children, but especially Sandy, who seemed to be having a tough time of adjusting. April’s maternal instinct had gone into overdrive as she tried to draw the girl back into the real world and help ease her fears.
“Sure. Maybe I should follow along and see how you do it. At the office, I learn by staying on top of everything, diving right in, and taking control. But here, when it comes to kids, I think watching someone else might be time better spent.”
“Excellent idea.” Garrett followed her up the stairs. As she passed the bathroom, April noticed it hadn’t fared any better than the living room.
“Don’t forget the celebration of life is this afternoon at one. Give the kids lots of extra time to get ready.” She had to work, and he was on his own, but it didn’t stop her from wanting to give him helpful information to pave the way.
“Okay, thanks for the heads up. Jessica, my mother’s boutique manager and friend, made all the arrangements and let me know she’d be over to set everything up later. I’m glad she didn’t accept my offer to let me handle it now that I’m responsible for the kids.”
Sandy stopped crying the second they opened her door and entered.
April crossed the room to her toddler bed. “Morning, sunshine. Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
Sandy nodded as she sucked her thumb. It was another toddler behavior she’d reverted to after her parents’ deaths. April reached for the baby, but Sandy crawled to the end of the bed and held her arms and squeezed her fingers at Garrett. “Well, it would seem she wants you instead, so you’re on duty. You must have done better than you thought last night. I’ve got to leave soon anyway.” For as much as it gave her a twinge of jealousy to have the little girl prefer Garrett, it made her heart swell to know Sandy was reaching out to an adult, learning to trust again.
“But what do I do?” Garrett asked, looking unsure of himself.
“Pick her up to start with.” April couldn’t help but laugh.
Garrett shot her one of those I-knew-that-much looks. “I was referring to what needs to be done afterward. Last night, you failed to tell me all the particulars about feeding her, and I had to learn from Miss Know-It-All, Melanie.” He shook his head. “Think about how foolish I felt having a seven-year-old telling how to do things.”
Probably the same way he’d felt when Melanie had to cook the spaghetti. “Melanie’s a huge help, but, yes, sometimes she goes too far. As for Sandy, it’s easy. She can dress on her own, but she needs help in the matching department, so I pick out her clothes.”
Garrett reached for Sandy. She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Whether Garrett realized it or not, he’d taken to holding her like a natural, positioning her on his hip and freeing up one hand.
“Good morning, Sandy. April tells me you can get dressed all by yourself like a big girl.”
Sandy nodded.
“Let’s make this happen, then we can head downstairs for a donut. April brought a lot of yummy choices.” Sandy smiled, her eyes becoming wide saucers at the mention of a donut.
Bribery wasn’t Garrett’s best option, but she’d leave that lesson for another time. If there was another time, that is. He opened each of the drawers, pulling out socks, underwear, a blue and white striped shirt, and black pants covered with pink glitter stars.
“Not the most coordinated outfit I’ve seen, but it will do,” April joked.
He looked surprised. “What? Pink, black, blue, and white all go together.”
“It’s a stretch, but my main concern is the stripes and stars. There’s a lot going on.” She pressed her lips together to fight back from saying anything more on the subject. It wouldn’t do to discourage Garrett.
“Well, then you pick out another pair of pants.” Garrett helped Sandy pull the shirt over her head when it got stuck at her chin.
April handed him a pair of blue jeans, exchanging them for the others. Sandy took them from Garrett and finished getting dressed.
“The others should probably wake up no later than nine. You can get them to help you clean up their own messes in the living room. They are old enough for that. Don’t let them push you around. You’re the parent.”
Sandy pulled him toward the door.
“Gotcha. Thanks for the tip. A bit late, but I’ll take it.” He glanced up at her and winked.
A warm, fuzzy feeling shot through her again. His sexy charm had an effect on her she seemed unable to control. Luckily, they’d headed down the hall, and Garrett couldn’t see her reaction.
He paused at the top of the stairway and turned back. “Any chance I can get you to stay and help with the kids this weekend? I’m out of my league here and could use your expertise. Especially since I’m not sure when my sister is coming home.”
“I wish I could, but as much as I love these kids, I can’t. I already got in trouble at work for taking off three days. They threatened to fire me if it happens again, and I can’t afford to lose my job.” She frowned, remembering her run-in with Tammy.
“I’m sorry. It doesn’t sound as though it’s an enjoyable place to work. Don’t worry about us. I’m
handy at problem-solving, and I’ll figure this out, too.” He swung Sandy up into his arms and headed down the stairs.
“I’m sure you will. It gets easier, I promise.” Kids just needed love and to know someone cared, something April missed out on with the ever-changing foster homes she’d found herself assigned in.
“Let’s just hope you’re right. Ready for your donut, little lady?” He addressed Sandy with his last question, loving it as her face lit up. Garrett headed toward the kitchen, and April followed, knowing she should get going.
He sat Sandy in her booster seat and glanced over at her. “If my sister’s not here by Monday, I’ll have no choice but to take them to New York with me until she arrives, and even then, I’m not sure how this will work with her getting out of the military and how this will all work. But my place isn’t set up for kids, not to mention I have a business to run and clients depending on me.” Garrett might be stressed out about the possibility of moving the kids, but April was more than stressed out by the idea. Garrett was an adult, but these were kids, and more change was the last thing they needed.
“New York? Are you kidding me? You can’t rip these kids from their home so soon. And what about school? They start after Labor Day. You can’t take them to New York City for an undetermined amount of time and not do something about their schooling. That’s called truancy.” She had to get him to see reason.
“I don’t know what to do. This has all come as a shock.” Garrett rubbed his hands through his hair. “I tried calling Charlie last night, but I haven’t heard back. I’m hoping he’ll show up today because I need answers before I can figure out what to do next.”
Whatever answers Garrett thought he would get, wouldn’t be the ones he wanted to hear.
April had known changes were inevitable for the kids, but even she hadn’t foreseen them being uprooted to the city. Her best friend Maddison had always warned her against getting too involved in her cases but watching these kids over the past few days was involved, and there was no turning back her feelings for them.
Chapter Four
Garrett appreciated April’s thoughtfulness but wished it could’ve extended at least through the weekend. He handed Sandy a donut and then set out to see what else he could find for breakfast. Cheerios was the easiest thing he could find and something he couldn’t mess up. After pouring Sandy a bowl and adding milk, he sat down to help her eat, remembering to pull off the tie he still hadn’t managed to put on correctly and keep it out of her sticky-finger reach. One ruined tie was enough.
Sandy watched his every move, not saying a word, but taking bite after bite. Her appetite was nothing short of amazing, considering how small she was. Garrett poured her glass of orange juice in her sippy cup, this time getting the lid on before handing it to her. He scooped her up from her booster seat, carried her into the living room, and set her down by the toybox.
“I’ll be back in a second,” he told her. He wasn’t sure what to expect, because for some reason, she’d become attached to him and didn’t want him going anywhere without her. She was a lot of work, but she was adorable, her blonde curls in complete disarray.
He grabbed his briefcase off the kitchen counter where he’d stashed it yesterday, hoping to get a few hours work in before the other kids woke up. With only one kid to keep track of, it would be much easier. Garrett watched Sandy for a moment, pleased she was happily playing in the corner with some toy that spun around making animal noises. Whatever it was, she seemed to enjoy it.
He flipped open the top of his computer and keyed in his password to pull up his office email account. Thirty-three new emails, and he’d only been gone a day. It would take more than a couple of hours to wade through these. Time he was positive he wouldn’t get. He fully intended to heed April’s warning to give the kids extra time to get ready for the celebration well before everyone was expected to start arriving. Garrett managed to get through two emails before a Barbie doll found its way to his laptop.
Sandy had plunked the doll’s bottom right down on his keyboard, using the screen like the back of a chair. Her smile tempered his initial reaction when the screen turned black. It was hard to be irritated with such innocent cuteness. “Here you are, honey.” He handed the doll back to her. “This is a computer, not a toy. Take Barbie and play in the corner.”
Sandy shook her head.
“I’ve got to do some work. Can’t you have a tea party or something?” It was the first thing that came to mind. He wasn’t overly in tune with little-girl playtime. It was a pleasant surprise when she nodded her head, turned, and ran back to the corner.
“Thank goodness.” Garrett hit the power button of the computer again, hoping the email reply he’d been working had saved as a draft.
The account was loading when Sandy returned, this time, with her doll and a teacup. After dumping both in his lap, she returned to the toybox and grabbed another doll, teacup, and two plates, and brought them all back and dumped them in his lap.
“Sandy, I’ve got to work.” Garrett let out a deep breath. Instead of leaving, Sandy climbed up on the sofa next to him as if he hadn’t spoken. She watched him closely, her baby blue eyes imploring him to play with her. Those eyes got him every time.
Not exactly what he had in mind when he suggested it.
He didn’t know the first thing about tea parties, but it appeared he was about to find out. Jim wouldn’t believe it if he saw it with his own eyes. His partner had once commented that Garrett wouldn’t know what to do with anything that didn’t come attached with a legal document. It would seem Jim was right.
Step by step, Sandy showed him what to do. How to position the doll. How to pour tea. How to sip tea from his miniature cup. How to help the doll drink. Garrett couldn’t remember the last time he’d played, especially something so silly.
But Sandy was content, her smile proof he was doing something right, and one that melted a place in Garrett’s heart he hadn’t even known existed. And for a man who never wanted kids, that was saying a lot. The tea party ended, and Sandy wandered off, leaving her toys right where she left him, Garrett watching her closely to see what she would do next.
Even the dog was on his best behavior, currently curled up at Garrett’s feet after Garrett had made him get off the couch. He could only hope he’d find a sticky roller to get the hair off his slacks. Garrett glanced at his watch and let out a sigh. It was time to wake the other two kids.
A knock at the door got his attention. Rufus sat up and barked, beating Garrett to the door. “I know someone’s at the door. Try not to jump on whoever it is. It’s not good manners.” He pulled open the door, ready to welcome any other adult into his new crazy world.
Jessica stood there, her arms overload with bags. “Good morning, Garrett.”
“Morning. It’s nice to see you again. It looks as though you could use some help.” He reached to take a couple of the bags to help her before she dropped anything.
“Yes, thanks. It’s good to see you, too. We’ve missed you these past few months.”
Garrett winced, not needing a reminder of his failure. “Work has been in overload mode,” he explained. But then it was always in overload. They hadn’t become a top firm in the country by working a regular workweek, and now that they’d achieved that status, there were dozens of upcoming law firms eager to take the spot from them.
“I’m sorry about your mother. It was quite a shock, and I feel so bad for the children.” Jessica’s eyes glistened with tears. His mother and Jessica had been close friends even though Jessica was his age.
“It would seem she took on more than she could handle.” Garrett voiced the thought he’d been harboring since he’d learned about the children. This had been too much for his mother.
Jessica seemed shocked by his comment. “I don’t know what you mean. They were the light of her life.”
He wasn’t blaming the kids. More like the energy it took to keep up with them. He’d barely survived the first night. �
�And now she’s gone. She never mentioned having heart trouble, so what else am I to think?”
“She took heart medicine for years and never had any problems. Lots of people take heart medicine. I’m surprised you didn’t know.” She shook her head and shrugged.
“It would seem there were a few things she didn’t bother to mention.” Garrett walked back into the house, carrying the bags to the kitchen.
Jessica followed. “Your mother loved having kids to fuss over again. She had a huge heart and tremendous amounts of love to give.”
“Apparently, it was a defective one.” He grimaced. “Is there any way you can keep an eye on Sandy for a few minutes? I’ve got to get the other kids up and moving.” It was no use talking to Jessica, she wouldn’t understand.
“Sure. I don’t have much to do except setting up, and I’d love to help you. I’ve put together some pictures of your mother from what I have and some of her albums. I hope you don’t mind. Maybe we could go over them together?” Jessica stood close, her hand on his arm as she looked up at him.
“That won’t be necessary. I trust whatever you picked out. I appreciate everything you’re doing to help arrange this.” She hadn’t removed her hand, and Garrett stepped away, intent on emptying the bags to put some space between them. An attractive woman, Jessica had been married for as long as he could remember, but he recalled his mother mentioning she’d gotten a divorce. Garrett wasn’t interested in anything more than the same friendship they’d always shared, and he certainly didn’t want to give her the wrong signals.
April was another story entirely. From the beginning, he’d been interested. Her sweet, pixie face was a breath of fresh air. But he also knew he was headed back to the city, and didn’t want to give her the wrong idea, and he was pretty sure she wasn’t into casual relationships. At least based on the impression she’d given him with her down-to-earth approach to life.
