Daddy by Christmas

by Patricia Thayer

  Jarrett smiled at her. “Looks like I still have the touch.”

  “Then I’ll give you BJ’s feeding schedule and you can come by and do the honors.”

  She didn’t hide her smile at his surprised look.

  “You know I will if you need me,” he said sincerely.

  “Don’t, Jarrett. I can’t keep relying on you to help me.” Even if she wanted nothing more than to have him around all the time. “BJ is my responsibility.”

  He came closer, but wouldn’t relinquish the baby. “Why, Mia? Why do you think you have to do this all by yourself?”

  She glanced away from those velvet-brown eyes. “It’s safer that way, Jarrett. And no one gets hurt.”

  He touched her chin and turned her back to him. “Who hurt you, Mia? What man broke your heart?”

  She stiffened and shook her head. “It’s not important. It was a long time ago.”

  “It’s important to me. You’re important to me, Mia.”

  She wanted so much to believe him, but she wasn’t good when it came to trust. “Oh, Jarrett. I don’t know what to say.”

  He stepped in closer. “Good. I’d rather do this.” Even with BJ against his shoulder, he leaned down to capture her mouth and quickly had her heart racing and her body stirring, wanting more.

  He broke off as BJ began to complain. “Maybe we can talk more about this later.” He gave her another peck and straightened up just as Kira walked in.

  “I hate to disturb you both, but there’s someone here to see you, Mia.”

  “Who?”

  “He says he’s your father.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  MIA had been dreading this day for ten years. Why did he have to find her? Why now? She saw the confused look on Jarrett’s face, not surprising as she’d told everyone she had no family.

  As far as she was concerned, since Brad’s death, there hadn’t been anyone. Putting a sleeping BJ in the crib, she finally looked at Jarrett. “Please, don’t say anything about the baby.”

  He stared at her a moment, but his expression didn’t give anything away. “I’ll follow your lead.”

  They walked out and down the stairs, grateful that Kira had put the unexpected guest in the living room, away from everyone. She glanced at Jarrett. “I need to talk to him alone.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be close by.”

  With a sigh, she walked into the room. Preston Elliot Saunders stood in front of the massive stone fireplace. Since his back was to her, she took the opportunity to study him. Still tall and trim, his once thick dark hair was now nearly white and there was a slight slump to his shoulders. He turned slightly and she could see he wore a dark wool coat over a business suit.

  Had she ever seen him when he hadn’t been in a suit? As a child she’d only seen him when she needed to be disciplined. She’d been the daughter who couldn’t seem do anything right, so that had been a lot.

  Preston finally turned around and she saw that the last decade had added lines to his face. She hoped to see some emotion from him, but, once again, she was disappointed.

  She fought off all the old fears and insecurities and stepped fully into the room. “You wanted to see me?”

  He frowned. “After all this time that’s all you have to say to me?”

  “Ten years ago I was a disgrace to the family and was destroying my life. You disowned me and sent me away. So excuse my surprise when you show up here now. There must be a reason.” She knew exactly the reason. Somehow he’d learned about her baby.

  “No matter what happened between us, you should have had the decency and compassion to tell me about Bradley’s death. Your mother and I were heartbroken when we learned about it recently.”

  Mia noted he didn’t mention his daughter-in-law’s death. Not only had Preston and Abigail disapproved of their son’s chosen profession, they had made their disdain at his choice of a wife perfectly clear. Karen hadn’t come from the right family. “It’s been years since you disowned us, so why would I think you wanted to know about Brad’s death?”

  Her father looked sad. “For God sake’s, Margaret, we’re family.”

  “Since when? We weren’t a family. A family man comes home. You were never there, and when you were, all you did was criticize.”

  Preston straightened. “You know perfectly well why I did what I did. You were out of control. An embarrassment to yourself and everyone else. We tried to warn Bradley.”

  Mia tried to hide her surprise. Her brother had contacted their father? “Did you expect him to send me away, or have me locked up in a place where I lived like a prisoner?” She shivered in memory. “Like you had?” She spread her arms. “I’ve gone to college, and I can support myself. Well take a good look, I’m perfectly fine. Have been for years. So now that you’ve checked on me, you can go home with a clear conscience.” She turned to leave, praying this would be the end.

  “Not so fast, Margaret. There’s some unfinished business to do with my grandson.”

  Mia swung around as a fierce protectiveness took over. “He’s not your grandchild. You didn’t want to be a part of my life or Brad’s because we refused to do what you wanted. So you have no claim on this baby.”

  Preston Saunders frowned. “You’re wrong, Margaret. My family has always come first, which is why I’m here.” He glared at her. “You can’t possibly think you can give Bradley’s son the life I can. I’ve seen where you live. You have nothing to offer him. The boy would be much better off with your mother and me.”

  “That’s not true. Besides I can give him love, which is more than you and Mother ever did. Brad and Karen wanted me to raise their child if something happened to them.”

  Her father’s gaze moved over her. “I don’t want my grandchild living in that slum apartment.”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ll be moving soon into a two-bedroom house. I have income and I’ll be going back to law school. I can support BJ. And that’s all that you need to know.”

  He studied her for a long moment. “I know more than you might think. And I don’t want you moving in with this Jarrett McKane.”

  She was shaking. “My personal life is none of your business.”

  Her father stood his ground. “You’re wrong. I’ve asked around. Your ex-football player may have had minimal success during his college career, and even in this small town, but things can change quickly.”

  Mia hated that this man could still get to her. And he was planning to use her friendship with Jarrett. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  He shrugged. “These are hard times, and business deals can easily fall apart. Just recently I was discussing this with Neil Fulton. What a coincidence that his wife, Robin, and your mother were sorority sisters.” A smug look appeared across his face. “From what Neil tells me, it’s still up in the air about where their new factory is going to be built.”

  Mia felt sick to her stomach. “This has nothing to do with Jarrett. It’s between you and me.”

  “Then all you have to do is give me what I want.”

  Jarrett stood in the hallway. If Mia had let everyone think that her parents were dead, there had to be a reason, and he couldn’t wait to hear it.

  “Is there a problem?” Trace asked coming up to him.

  “Not sure.” Jarrett had no idea what was going on. “But I plan to find out.” When he heard Mia tell her father goodbye, he went into action. He walked into the living room.

  “Is everything okay?” He went over to Mia, slipping a possessive arm around her back.

  She looked surprised to see him. “Yes. My father was just leaving.”

  The man didn’t move, just turned his attention toward Jarrett. “I’m Margaret’s father, Preston Saunders.” He held out a hand.

  Jarrett shook it. “Jarrett McKane. You should have let us know you were coming to town.”

  “This was a sudden trip for me.” Saunders glanced back at his daughter. “Mia and I have been estranged for…a while.
”

  Jarrett felt Mia stiffen. “It’s been years,” she insisted. “You disowned me and Brad, and you have no right to this child.”

  Saunders seemed surprised by his daughter’s backbone. “We’re still family. And this child is a Saunders which is the very reason I’m here. To help you.” He glared at her. “Margaret, you can’t possibly think you can give the child the kind of life he deserves.” He shook his head. “You and the boy would be much better at home with your mother and me.”

  Mia was still trembling, even after her father left. Once the front door closed, she wanted to disappear. Instead, she hurried up the stairs to check on BJ. Anything to keep from having to face Jarrett. To have to explain. But he wasn’t letting her get away, and followed her.

  “Mia,” he called to her.

  She stopped in the upstairs hall, but didn’t turn around.

  “I can’t talk about this right now.”

  She started for the nursery, but he took her by the arm and led her into a guest bedroom. After the door closed, he pulled her into his arms.

  She didn’t resist. Shutting her eyes, she let herself revel in the secure sound of his beating heart, his warmth. She fought the tears, but lost as a sob escaped and she began to cry. She cried for the years that her parents weren’t there for her. For herself because she couldn’t be the daughter they wanted her to be. For the relationship she wanted with this man that now was lost too.

  The only thing that mattered now was BJ.

  She pulled back and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “How long since you’ve seen your father?” Jarrett asked as he pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her.

  “Ten years. It was a few days before my nineteenth birthday.” Wiping her eyes, she raised her head. She might as well tell him everything.

  “I’d just gotten released from the rehab clinic he’d had me committed to. I was excited because he came to bring me home. Instead, he handed me five thousand dollars and said he’d paid a year’s rent on an apartment in Atlanta, Georgia. He felt it would be better for everyone if I didn’t return to Boston.”

  Mia moved across the room toward the bed. She needed space. “Funny thing was, the pills I’d become addicted to were ones prescribed by a doctor my parents insisted I see to help me lose weight.”

  Jarrett walked over to her. “I can’t believe you were ever overweight.”

  “I had crooked teeth, too.”

  His finger touched her chin and made her look at him.

  “And incredible blue eyes, and hair the color of rich coffee,” he told her as his gaze moved over her face. “I could go on and on.”

  She swallowed hard. “No one has ever said that to me.”

  “Maybe you never gave them a chance.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve been kind of busy lately. But Jarrett, as a teenager, I gave my father plenty of reasons not to trust me.”

  “Didn’t we all.” He smiled. “I was no angel, either. That doesn’t mean you aren’t a good mother now.”

  She gasped. “BJ.” She started to leave, but he pulled her back.

  “He’s sleeping,” Jarrett said. “You know that kid’s got a strong pair of lungs, so we’ll hear him when he wakes up.” He paused a moment then said, “Back to you. How did you end up in Colorado?”

  “I used the money my father gave me and flew to Denver. Brad was a junior pastor there. He and Karen had just gotten married, yet they opened their arms and took me in. He probably told our parents, but I think Preston was just happy I was out of his life.”

  “Seems that Brad wanted you,” Jarrett acknowledged.

  She nodded. “At first I gave him a lot of trouble. But he got me to finish high school, then college. For the first time, I felt good about myself.” She felt a surge of panic. “I owe it to Brad and Karen to raise their son with love and compassion for other people. I’ll do anything to keep my parents from taking BJ.”

  He reached for her. “It won’t happen. I won’t let it.”

  No! She couldn’t let her father destroy Jarrett, too. She shook her head. “No, Jarrett, you have to stay out of this.”

  “Mia, listen to me. You’re going to need some help.”

  The last thing Mia wanted was for this to go to court. She was doubtful she could win against the power of the Saunderses’ money. She shook her head. “I can’t let my father scare me off. I have to prove to him I can handle things on my own.” She pushed past him and out the door.

  More importantly, she had to get Jarrett McKane out of her life. It was the only way she could protect him.

  This had been Jarrett’s best Christmas in years until the unwelcome guest showed up. Although dessert was being served, he knew that for Mia the celebration was over. Using the excuse that BJ was fussy, he drove her back to town.

  Mia’s silence continued as they walked into the apartment building. Jarrett tugged on the glass door, hearing the scrape of metal before it gave way and opened. Inside, Jarrett glanced around the large lobby. Even with the elaborate holiday decorations, the place was still a dump.

  It needed a lot of work, especially if he was going to rent to more tenants. Whether Fulton finalized the factory deal or not, he should get a contractor out here to look over the building.

  Saunders must have come here first. How else would he know that Mia was at the ranch? What if he’d taken pictures? If he was going to fight for custody, would he show them to a judge?

  Damn. He needed to get Mia out of here and moved into the cottage. Honestly, he wanted her at his house, but Ms. Independence would never go for that.

  At the apartment door, Mia unlocked it and they went inside. She carried the baby into the bedroom.

  “I’ll bring up the rest of the things,” he called to her.

  Jarrett hurried back outside in the cold. He opened the back of his SUV and grabbed the box of leftover food and presents. That was when he noticed the car at the end of the car park. With the help of the overhead security light, he saw the shadow of a man leaning against a dark vehicle.

  He didn’t like a stranger hanging around. He thought about the older tenants, then Jarrett thought about earlier today and couldn’t help but wonder if Saunders had something to do with it. Had he hired someone to watch the place? Would he go that far? The man he’d met today didn’t seem like the type who gave up easily.

  Jarrett carried the box back inside the lobby. He took out his cell phone and called the sheriff’s office, asking his old friend from high school, Danny Haskins, to come by and check out the situation. He wasn’t going to make it easy for Saunders.

  Call made, Jarrett returned to Mia’s apartment. When she came out of the bedroom, she didn’t hide her surprise that he was there.

  “Jarrett, I didn’t realize you were still here.”

  He put the box on the table. “I brought up the rest of the things from the car.”

  “Oh, I’ll put them away, you don’t have to stay.”

  He was discouraged by her rejection. “Look, Mia, I saw a stranger hanging around the parking lot.” He took off his hat and coat. “I’m having it checked out, so I’m not leaving here until it’s cleared up. Could be your father is having someone watch you.”

  She looked panicked, but quickly covered it. “I have a good lock on the door. He’s not getting in here.”

  “I want to help you.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want you involved in this.”

  He went to her. “I’m already involved, Mia.”

  “No, Jarrett. You can’t keep rescuing me.”

  Before he could answer there was a knock on the door. Jarrett checked the peephole, then pulled open the door. “Hi, Danny.”

  The sheriff removed his hat and stepped inside the apartment. “Hey, McKane.”

  “Thanks for stopping by, Danny.”

  “Not a problem.” He looked at Mia and nodded. “Hello, ma’am.”

  “Mia, this is Sheriff Danny Haskins. Danny, this is Mia Saun
ders.”

  “Nice to meet you, Ms. Saunders. I’m sorry to have to bother you on Christmas.”

  “It wasn’t necessary for Jarrett to call you.”

  “It’s my job to protect our citizens.” Danny turned to Jarrett. “There was a dark sedan leaving when I pulled in, but I got the license plate. It’s a rental.” He pulled out a small notebook. “The name of the customer is Jake Collins of Collins Investigation. He’s a P.I. out of Denver and he’s been here over a week.”

  Haskins turned to Mia. “Jarrett told me that your father, Preston Saunders, came to Winchester Ridge after no contact with you for years.”

  Mia nodded. “He has a P.I. watching me to see if I make any mistakes,” she said to Jarrett. “He’ll use anything he can against me.”

  Jarrett saw not only her fear, but the sadness. Damn Saunders. “We’re not going to let him,” he assured her.

  He walked Danny out the door. “Thanks, friend. Is there any way you could keep an eye out for this car? I’ll bet my next deal that Saunders is trying to find something against his daughter so he can get custody of his grandson and it’s my guess he’ll do anything to get him.”

  “Since he isn’t breaking the law, I can’t do much, but I’ll alert my deputies to keep an eye out. I’ll also have them patrol this area.” His friend smiled. “I take it you have more than a passing interest in that very attractive brunette.”

  “Yes, I do. So don’t get any ideas.”

  Smiling, Danny raised a hand. “Enough said, friend. You always had all the luck when it came to the ladies. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

  Jarrett said goodbye, then went back inside to find Mia in the kitchen putting away leftovers.

  He walked up behind her. “I don’t want you to be alone tonight. I don’t trust Saunders.”

  She closed her eyes a moment. “My father just wants me to know that he’s there, that he’s a threat if I don’t do what he wants. I can handle this on my own.”

  “Like you did in the past,” he said, regretting the harsh words. “Why are you being so stubborn?”