“Good grief.” Cullen put both hands on his hips, frowning first at one child, then the other. “Gramma Vaughn fishes for information about me, too?”
“Gramma doesn’t fish, Daddy,” Belinda hooted. “You know she hates getting her hands dirty.”
“Okay, okay.” Cullen raised one hand. “I’ve got the picture. I’ll take this up with Gramma, and with your mom. Speaking of which, I need you all to be quiet while I make this call.”
The children climbed up on stools by a breakfast bar that divided the kitchen from the dining nook. Not sure what Cullen expected of her, Mei Lu was grateful to Freda for providing an answer. The woman handed Mei a piping hot cup of oolong tea, then pulled out a third stool at the end of the counter.
As Cullen punched in a string of numbers, she noticed that the twins were fidgeting and spinning around on their stools. Bobby more than his sister. The wait seemed so long that Mei Lu began to catch their nervousness. At long last, Cullen’s call connected.
“Jana Archer, please,” he muttered. “No, I don’t see why she’d be registered as Jana Sullivan. Maybe Vaughn. Vaughn’s her maiden name.” Cullen scowled at whatever he heard. “All right, try the Sullivan number.”
“Jana? Is that you? It’s Cullen. What in heaven’s name are you doing in Sydney?” He rubbed at his forehead with the knuckle of one thumb. “You what? Got married!” His eyes opened wide, and he nearly dropped the phone. “Slow down. Let me get this straight. You met an Australian in Singapore. Lorne Sullivan…and you flew home with him. Yesterday you got married? Jana, have you lost your mind?”
The children stopped spinning. Freckles stood out on each pale face. Freda stopped scraping carrots at the sink and turned to study Cullen’s jerky movements.
He waved a hand wildly and said, “I don’t give a damn if Lorne has two stations in the outback. Your home is in Austin. You have eight-year-old twins due back in school this coming Monday.” Cullen smacked his forehead. “You’ve pulled some real stunts before, but this is the ultimate. No, I do not want you to phone your folks and have them come and get the kids. Our custody agreement is between us. You and me.”
He stomped so far from the wall, he nearly detached the cord from the phone. “You know what? I’m handing the phone to the twins. You explain it to them, Jana. It’s not up to me.”
He gave his daughter the phone and stormed from the room. Foo slunk out of the way and ran to hide under the table in the breakfast nook.
Belinda greeted her mother hesitantly at first. She listened intently, nodding all the while.
Bobby jumped off his stool, rounded the counter and began to pummel Mei Lu with flying fists, catching her off guard. “You said Dad wouldn’t never do nothin’ like get married again unless he talked to Belinda and me first,” the boy screamed, his face beet red. “That’s a lie. ’Cause that’s what Mom did. Liar, liar!” He started to cry.
Freda, small woman that she was, attempted to shackle Bobby from behind. “Mr. Archer, Mr. Archer!” she called.
Cullen, who’d probably only stepped around the corner to compose himself, rushed back into the room. “Robert Archer. Stop it! What’s gotten into you?” A string of apologies tumbling from his lips, Cullen lifted the boy bodily. That was when Bobby broke down and sobbed in earnest. Wiggling around, he threw his arms around his father’s neck so hard that Mei Lu thought he’d choke Cullen.
Her heart broke for father and son. Through it all, she couldn’t help but be angry with the selfish woman who’d do such a thing without regard for her kids. Those beautiful children deserved better. Cullen deserved better. Mei’s stomach heaved. How would Jana’s latest actions affect Cullen’s custody agreement? Mei wondered if he might not be forced to move to Austin. After all, he’d said his former in-laws wielded a lot of power. Cullen would never risk letting them take his children away.
No matter what happened, Mei Lu foresaw this turn of events having a negative effect not only on their work relationship, but also on their personal one. The relationship they’d barely begun to explore…
“Excuse us,” Cullen said through gritted teeth. “Belinda, don’t let Mom get off the phone before I can talk to her again. I have a few more things to say. I’ll be upstairs.”
“Cullen.” Mei Lu gripped his arm. “I’m…I think I’ll call a cab so Foo and I can make ourselves scarce. Phone me later, after things settle down, okay?” She pushed her teacup back and slid off the stool.
“Stay, please!” There was definitely a pleading quality to Cullen’s request. “Freda’s fixing dinner. Things will get calmer. We’re going to eat a normal family meal.”
Freda nodded and retrieved her half-scraped carrot.
Mei Lu hated confrontations. Still, she couldn’t walk out on Cullen if he needed her. “Take care of Bobby. I won’t leave.”
Obviously cheered by her promise, Cullen hauled Bobby from the room. They soon heard his heavy tread on the circular stairs.
“Freda, if I’m going to stay, I want to help. Assign me a job.”
“Bless you,” the woman said. She used her arm to shove a lock of red hair out of her eyes. “I’m almost done here. The kids asked for chicken-fried steak and biscuits. I’m making a carrot, raisin and apple salad to go with it. I’ll let you set the table.”
Mei Lu washed and dried her hands. She noticed that a teary-eyed Belinda had hung up and now sat staring at the wall. “You okay, muffet? I could use some help finding the dishes and silverware.”
More listless than Mei had ever seen her, the child crossed her arms and hunched over. “I’d better go see how Bobby is. Daddy’s on the phone with Mom again.”
“No, you don’t, missy,” Freda said, blocking Belinda’s exit. “Your daddy will take care of your brother. I know how it goes when one of you decides to get in the act because the other’s in trouble.”
“Why is Bobby in trouble? What’s going to happen to us?” Copious tears tracked down the girl’s pale cheeks.
“Honey, honey.” Mei Lu skirted the counter and knelt to gather the child against her. “Things will work out. Do you believe your father would let anything bad happen to you or Bobby?”
Belinda shook her head. That got the front of Mei Lu’s shirt wet. “I didn’t hang up right away after Daddy got on the phone again. Mama said Lorne, the man she married, doesn’t want kids around for two years at least. Mom said she’s gonna sell our house in Austin so she and Lorne can take his boat someplace I never heard of.” The tears fell faster, even though Belinda sniffed hard and tried to wipe them away. “Mama told Daddy she’s happy for the first time ever, and said for him not to screw things up for her.”
During her two years on street patrol, Mei had gained some experience consoling children affected by trauma. The rule books all said kids needed an assurance that their world would be okay. Mei heard Freda slamming pots and pans around in the background. She had to say she shared the housekeeper’s sentiments. But for Belinda’s sake, Mei Lu pasted on a small, steady smile. “I know all of this sounds awful. But trust your dad to figure things out. I know he loves you and Bobby more than anything in the world. Look, Foo’s come to make you feel better. If you sit on the floor, Belinda, he’ll climb in your lap.”
“Okay,” Belinda said, drawing in a shaky breath. “Mei Lu, will you bring Foo back…tomorrow?” The girl sank to her knees and hugged the animal. Foo licked her tear-stained face.
“I’ll do better. I’ll ask your father if Foo can spend the night. Everything he needs for a sleepover is in the bag you brought from the Yees’. And don’t forget, they’re coming for a visit on Saturday evening, too. Won’t that be fun?”
“Uh-huh. Mei Lu, I love you.” Belinda squeezed Mei Lu hard—a hug that gave her the time she needed to hide not only her surprise, but the tears rimming her eyes.
She’d risen, repaired her face and was just setting out the silverware when a much-subdued Bobby and a grimfaced Cullen entered the kitchen again.
“Freda, how close
is dinner to being done? I have a couple of calls to make, but I can make them now or later on, after I take Mei Lu home.”
“Ten minutes,” Freda announced. “Enough time for Miss Belinda to wash the doggie smell off her hands and face.”
Belinda rose, reluctantly releasing the dog. “Daddy, Mei Lu said maybe Foo could have a sleepover tonight. She said he could stay until she comes back or maybe even until Ronnie and Jennifer Yee come for a barbecue.”
Seeing Cullen’s shock, Mei Lu swiftly interjected. “I’m not trying to mess up your plans, Cullen. What I told Belinda is that I’d ask you first.”
Surprisingly, he tunneled a hand under Mei Lu’s hair and, in front of everyone, delivered a long and tender kiss. “Mess all you want,” he said huskily, leaving her reeling as he pulled away by inches. “I’m beginning to think I need a keeper. I forgot to say a word to Freda about inviting company over Saturday night.” He peered worriedly around Mei Lu, sending his housekeeper a sheepish look. “I hope it’s not too late for you to get all the stuff we need for an old-fashioned barbecue for the family and five extra people, Freda.”
“The freezer’s full. Weather’s probably perfect to eat out around the pool.”
Even the children perked up at that prospect. They seemed in a better frame of mind as everyone found seats at the table. Mei Lu had taken a minute to show the twins how much kibble to give Foo. “It’s important never to let his water bowl get empty. He gets dehydrated fast,” she explained.
The boy and girl nodded solemnly. When Bobby slid into his chair, he wriggled a lot, finally blurting, “Dad, if we’re going to stay here instead of going back and forth to Austin, we can have a dog of our own. Let Mei Lu take Foo home. We can get our own dog, Belinda.”
Juggling a platter full of chicken-fried steak, Cullen threw Mei Lu a quick glance. “I don’t know about that, Bobby. Maybe I’m considering inviting Mei Lu and Foo to move in with us.”
Bobby stopped wriggling. “Why?”
“Praise God,” Freda muttered as she plunked a basket brimming with golden biscuits down in front of Cullen. She thrust a dish of carrot and apple salad into Mei’s suddenly numb hands.
Cullen forked off a piece of breaded sirloin and cut it in half. He set one piece on each child’s plate. “It’s something to consider, since we’re going to be making some big changes around here.” He avoided Mei’s stunned expression.
Belinda stirred excitedly. “I think that’d be cool, Dad. Foo likes us, and so does Mei Lu. Bobby, what’s wrong?” Her brother’s face left little doubt as to his feelings.
“Cullen,” Mei Lu chided, reaching to kick him none too gently under the table. “Bobby doesn’t know you’re teasing.”
“I’m not.” Cullen grinned at her. “I tossed out the idea to start everybody getting used to it. Obviously we won’t make a final decision tonight, but my feelings are on the table. Would you eat a whole piece of steak, Mei Lu?”
“After that bombshell, Cullen, I’ll be lucky to eat one bite.”
“Like I said, there’s no rush.” He shrugged casually. “Frankly, I don’t know why you’re surprised. I thought I’d made my intentions clear on the drive from your parents’ house.”
“If you did… No, no, I… Uh, can we discuss this later? Everyone needs to eat this great meal Freda fixed.” She poked her fork into the tender meat and cast her eyes down, having seen how the twins’ heads whipped back and forth between her and their dad.
“If anybody wants my opinion,” Freda announced, dragging out an empty chair and plopping into it, “I say it’s way past time. Your dad needs someone, darn it.” She helped herself to the other part of Mei Lu’s steak, still on the platter, and appeared not to notice Mei Lu’s sputtered expulsion of breath.
Cullen noticed her fiery face. He figured he’d have a lot to answer for when he finally got down to driving her home. He hoped she might invite him in once they got there. Heaven knows they’d both had a rough day. They could benefit from a certain amount of up-close-and-personal attention.
Whether Mei Lu granted that part of his wish list remained to be seen. From the way she picked at her food, Cullen suspected they might have different opinions about making love tonight—or any other night. If so, he’d have to see about changing her mind.
“I always try to read the kids a story after our evening meal.” Cullen pushed back his chair as his children polished off portions of strawberry shortcake. “Tonight, however, I should phone Jana’s parents, then the three of us have some talking to do.” He studied Mei Lu briefly. “Will you be all right entertaining yourself for another half hour or so?”
“Cullen, you look exhausted. Wouldn’t you rather I called a cab?”
“No. I want to drive you home, Mei Lu. I insist.”
The kids had run off, coaxing Foo to follow them upstairs. Freda moved toward the sink with a load of dishes.
Cullen bent nearer Mei Lu, teasing her lips apart with his. “If nothing else,” he whispered, “I’m hoping to steal a few more good-night kisses. Maybe they’ll wipe away that exhausted look I have.”
“With a promise like that, I’ll just go help Freda clear the table.”
Uttering something resembling a sexy growl, Cullen hurried from the room.
Mei Lu stood on rubbery legs, needing a minute to recover. Then she found a small bowl for the leftover salad. The biscuits had all been eaten.
“Mr. Cullen’s a fine man,” Freda remarked out of the blue.
Mei Lu tried to restrain a sigh, but it slipped out anyway. “I know he is.”
“You like the twins, don’t you? I mean, they’re not the problem?”
“Heavens, no. They’re great kids.”
“But something’s holding you back.”
“Yes, well, Cullen and I are working on this case together.”
“Is getting married against the rules?” Freda asked, returning from the table with a second load of dishes.
“Marriage?” Mei squeaked. “Oh, no. I’m…well, you could say it has to do with family, though.”
“You mean, because your folks are set on you marrying a Chinese man?”
“Who told you that?” Mei Lu frowned slightly.
Freda shrugged. “Nobody. I probably watch too many TV counselors. Just the other day, one said it’s a common problem in ethnic communities. They specifically said in Asian communities.”
“My concerns aren’t about our cultural differences, although I suppose it’ll upset my parents. My mother, for sure.” Mei fluttered her hands helplessly. “It’s complicated, Freda. For one thing, I’d never want to bring dishonor to Cullen.”
“Huh? You’re talking in riddles. Forget everyone else. Listen to your heart.”
Mei Lu wished she could. Wished it were that simple. But until they were able to clear Stephen totally, the potential was there for him—and by extension, her—to bring shame on friends, colleagues and, of course, Cullen, should he and she become seriously involved.
Obviously not understanding Mei Lu’s concern, Freda nattered on about Jana Archer’s latest escapade. “She’s done some screwy things. None quite this crazy. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn, they’re gonna throw a hissy. They haven’t hesitated to use their clout to get their way and keep the twins in Austin. It kind of amuses me that Jana’s handed Mr. Cullen the edge.”
“For the children’s sake, Cullen still needs to maintain an open dialogue with his ex and her family. Freda, I’m not in any position to comment one way or the other as I’ve never met any of them. Maybe we ought to talk instead about Saturday’s barbecue. You’ll like the Yees. How can I help you? Tell me, what can I bring?”
“Yourself. I like nothing better than fixing meals for a crowd. My husband was a navy man, and we always had a houseful of neighbors and friends. We moved to Houston after Don retired and needed bypass surgery. Great military hospital here. During the surgery, the doctor discovered that Don had inoperable cancer. His appetite got so poor I hardly cooked anything for the
five years he hung on through sheer grit.”
“Sounds horrible for you both, Freda.”
“Not fun, or easy. But I wouldn’t give up one single minute our heavenly Father saw fit to let us spend together. Don’s been gone nearly nine years. I still miss him like it was yesterday. That’s why I’m saying, honey, don’t let the grass grow under your feet. The hours you get to be with the man you love can be precious few.”
Mei Lu slowly turned over Freda’s words in her mind. Her mention of the heavenly Father served to remind Mei Lu that it was the theft of the Heavenly King and the other museum pieces that had brought her and Cullen together. His entry into the kitchen now pulled her from her private thoughts. He still looked tired, but she gravitated toward his warm smile.
“They’ve fallen asleep, mostly because I let them roll out their sleeping bags on the floor so they could share Foo. That offer was sheer genius on your part. In case I forgot to thank you, Mei Lu, let me do it now.”
She relaxed and let Cullen tug her into an embrace. “Come three a.m. when Foo needs to be let out, we’ll see if you’re still thanking me,” she said, grinning.
“I hope you’re making that up.” Cullen stopped nuzzling her neck and moved her toward the door. “Freda,” he called over one shoulder, “If I’m not back by three a.m., guess who’s on doggie duty?”
The housekeeper laughed heartily even as Mei Lu whispered in Cullen’s ear, “Why wouldn’t you be back way before then? It’s only ten.”
Cullen dropped a sweet kiss on her upturned face. He stopped twice more on the way to the car to kiss her, each kiss more intense than the previous one.
Mei Lu felt a sense of pure contentment. In the car, she burrowed into the soft leather of the seat. It’d been a long day and she was unable to contain a yawn that overtook her as Cullen got into the driver’s seat.
“Oh-oh. Is that fair warning that I’ll be saying goodnight on your porch?”
She stretched like a cat and carefully hid a second yawn behind her hand. “What if I said that once I pass this phase, I generally get my second wind?”
She Walks the Line (Harlequin Super Romance) Page 23
