From Fortune to Family Man

by Judy Duarte

  Apparently, Kieran had accepted the fact that Rosie’s stay might not be temporary after all. “Did you purchase all of this today?”

  “No, I bought it yesterday, before I picked her up from the sitter. I asked Karen, my assistant, to suggest a place I could find everything she might need, like toys, clothes and furniture. And Karen suggested Kids’ World, which is supposed to be a popular place for parents to shop. I was able to get it all taken care of in less than an hour. The delivery guys brought it this morning.”

  “Talk about one-stop shopping.”

  “Yeah, that was the idea. I didn’t have much time to get everything Rosie is going to need.”

  Children needed more than just toys and games. The most important thing was love, and that wasn’t something Kieran could purchase.

  Dana again scanned the clutter, unable to even guess how much all of this had cost him. For a woman who’d spent years in foster care, she couldn’t fathom the extravagance.

  “This must have cost you a year’s salary,” she said. Well, maybe not his salary, but certainly that of a grad student and research librarian.

  “I’ll admit, it wasn’t cheap. But that doesn’t matter. I just want Rosie to be happy while she’s here.”

  Dana hated to criticize him for trying to do what he thought was best, but he needed to know that he’d wasted both his time and his money. “I hate to disappoint you, but Rosie probably would be just as happy with a picnic at the park, complete with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Or even a trip to the library for the preschool story hour, especially if she could also check out a few books and maybe a Disney DVD to bring home.”

  “For what it’s worth,” he said, “I did get a few of these things on sale. And they also delivered the whole kit and caboodle for free.”

  “And you think that means you got a bargain?” Dana laughed again. “I’m surprised the happy owner didn’t volunteer to carry it here on his back.”

  “Okay, so maybe I overdid it a little.”

  “You think?” Dana covered her mouth with her hand, hoping to stifle another laugh.

  Kieran blew out a ragged sigh. “Okay, I probably blew it. But my heart was in the right place.”

  She had to agree with that. The man was not only wealthy and successful, but apparently generous, too.

  “Don’t just stand there,” Kieran said. “Come on in.” He moved aside the pink plastic shopping cart as well as the child-size kitchen, making a pathway for her. “Can I get you something to drink? I have every kind of fruit juice imaginable as well as Gatorade, punch and soda pop. Oh, there’s also chocolate milk. But if you’re up for something a little stronger, like I happen to be, you have your choice of beer and wine. I also have a full bar in the dining room.”

  “Actually, wine sounds good to me.”

  “You got it. What’s your preference? Red or white?”

  “Whatever’s easiest.”

  “I have a sauvignon blanc in the fridge.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Have a seat.” He directed her to the marble counter in the kitchen with a set of sleek black barstools. And she complied.

  While Kieran uncorked the bottle, Dana scanned the interior of his home. She tried, in spite of the dolls and toys that littered the living room, to remember what his bachelor pad had looked like when she and Zach had attended his party.

  The modern furnishings were both expensive and impressive. The artwork that adorned the walls and the sculptures that were displayed throughout also must have cost plenty, which made her suspect he’d hired a decorator.

  What a contrast it was to her quaint little home, which she’d decorated herself, mostly with items she’d purchased at estate sales and antiques stores.

  “There you go,” Kieran said, as he placed a glass of chilled wine in front of her.

  “Thank you.” She took a long, appreciative sip and watched him move about the kitchen, with its state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances that would please a master chef, and prepare a plate of crackers, cheese and grapes.

  Did he usually fix dinner for a woman while they both enjoyed a glass of wine? Did he play soft, romantic music in the background?

  Not that it mattered. But she had to admit she was curious about the women Kieran might bring home, the ones he found attractive. Did he prefer tall, leggy blondes? Maybe shapely and voluptuous brunettes?

  Or how about quirky redheads?

  She chased away that wacky thought as quickly as it crossed her mind. A man like Kieran Fortune wouldn’t be the least bit interested in a woman like her. And while she found him more than a little appealing, he really wasn’t her type, either. Still, she was intrigued by the handsome, dedicated bachelor who, according to Zach, claimed that he’d never settle down.

  Yet here he was, apparently becoming a family man. How was that going to work out for him?

  He removed a longneck bottle of Corona from the fridge, opened it and took a drink before sitting in the barstool next to hers.

  “So tell me about you,” he said, his gaze warm, his expression suggesting genuine interest.

  She could understand that. Even though she’d dated his best friend for the past six months, Zach’s priority in life was his daughter, which was fine with Dana. So when they’d dated, they’d stuck pretty close to the ranch or else they’d gone out for a hamburger and a movie. At that same time, Kieran had been working on a special project for Robinson Tech, so Dana had only run into him a couple of times.

  Still, his comment and his curiosity took her aback. She wasn’t here to make any kind of personal connection with him. Sure, she sympathized with him and wanted to offer her help with Rosie. But this visit wasn’t about her.

  “There’s not much to tell,” she said. “I’m in grad school, although I took a break from my classes this semester to focus on a special project for the Austin History Center. I work there as a researcher.”

  “I knew that much,” he said. “What do you do on your days off?”

  She didn’t usually share that sort of thing with people her age, since her favorite things to do might be considered unusual. But she decided there wasn’t any reason to worry about what Kieran might think. “I enjoy taking long walks in my neighborhood, shopping in my favorite antiques store and going to estate sales.”

  “Seriously?”

  See? He was no different from anyone else.

  “Yes,” she admitted. “I bought a house in Hyde Park and like to find interesting things to decorate it the way it might have looked back in 1948, when it was built.”

  He studied her a moment, as if still trying to decide whether she was pulling his leg, then smiled. “I’d like to see your place someday.”

  Now she was the one to wonder if he was being sincere or just being polite and making small talk. But she shrugged it off and said, “I’d be happy to show it to you. I’m proud of the way it’s all coming together.”

  “Do you own the house?” he asked. “Or are you renting?”

  Was he wondering if she could afford to buy a place of her own?

  She supposed he’d have no reason to ask, other than plain curiosity, so she leveled with him. “I purchased a two-bedroom fixer-upper about six months ago with the idea of flipping it, but the renovations took a while and were a lot of work. So now that it’s done, I’d like to enjoy the fruits of my labor for a while.”

  “Are you going to keep it, then?”

  “No, within the next six months, I’ll sell it and buy another in the same neighborhood.”

  He took another drink of beer and eyed her carefully. “I’m impressed.”

  With her?

  Or with the completed renovation project?

  “Now I’d really like to see it,” he added.

  Okay, so it had been the wo
rk she’d done on the house that had surprised and intrigued him.

  “You’re more than welcome to stop by anytime,” she said. “It’s not as classy, modern or impressive as your place, but it’s warm and appealing to me.” And to be honest, even though she’d never admit it to anyone else, she was also proud of the house since she’d done most of the work herself.

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” he asked, a smile lighting his blue eyes.

  She’d never been especially comfortable talking about herself or blowing her own horn, so she steered the conversation back to a topic that would suit them both better. “I hope you’ll bring Rosie when you come.”

  “Of course.”

  “And speaking of Rosie, have you hired a nanny or housekeeper yet?”

  “No, and I’d rather not—if I don’t have to. She attends preschool three days a week, so I’ll go to the office then. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’ll work from home.”

  “That sounds like a good plan.”

  “I hope so.” He glanced past her, his gaze landing on the toys, dolls and games cluttering the living area. “But I’m probably going to need my cleaning lady to come more often than once a week. Who would have guessed a child could wreak so much havoc?”

  As wild and wacky as she’d found Kieran’s overzealous attempt to provide for little Rosie, her heart went out to the poor man.

  “You know,” she said, “I was serious when I offered to help out whenever I can.”

  “Don’t be surprised when I take you up on that offer.” He flashed a dazzling smile that set off a flutter in her tummy again. But this time, the bevy of butterflies wasn’t caused by nervousness. Instead, it was due to sheer anticipation.

  Too bad she couldn’t take back her offer to assist him with Rosie. Even the slightest thought of striking up a friendship—let alone a romance—with a man like Kieran Fortune was out of line.

  And bound to end in disappointment.

  * * *

  Working from home two days a week wasn’t the best situation, but as the vice president of Robinson Tech, Kieran could make his own schedule, so it was certainly doable. Besides, he’d promised Zach he would take care of his little girl, and he wasn’t about to farm out the job.

  Unfortunately, his work-from-home plan didn’t last long. Being productive while having a preschooler underfoot was next to impossible. For some reason, he’d thought that Rosie would be able to play quietly and entertain herself, but he’d been wrong about that.

  He’d also thought that, after practically buying out the toy section at Kids’ World, she’d have enough to keep her busy until kindergarten. But that wasn’t the case, either.

  She might start out working on a puzzle or skimming the pictures in a book, but she got bored easily and wanted him to play with her. He’d put her off as often as he could, but before he knew it, he was the one doing the entertaining. The only time she sat still and let him work without interruption was when he put on a DVD for her, but he couldn’t very well do that from morning until night.

  Now, as he prepared a spreadsheet for tomorrow’s board meeting, she again walked up to him and tugged on his sleeve. “Uncle Kieran?”

  “Yes, honey?” He tore his gaze from the sales numbers and looked at the cute little imp, who held a toy medical bag in her hand.

  Early this morning, he’d combed her hair and pulled her blond locks into an uneven and messy ponytail. But no matter how hard he’d tried, he hadn’t been able to get the rubber band on evenly. And the red bow she’d insisted on wearing only served to point out how lopsided it was. Still, she was a cute kid, with big green eyes and thick dark lashes.

  “Will you play with me?” she asked. “I’ll be the doctor, and you can be sick.”

  “I’m pretty busy right now,” he said. “Can’t you find something else to do?”

  Her lips curled into a pout, then she brightened. “I could make pizza and hamburgers for your dinner.”

  “That sounds great.” Especially if her return to the play kitchen in the living room would buy him another few minutes to finish his spreadsheet.

  As she scampered off, he glanced at the time on his laptop. Weren’t kids supposed to take afternoon naps? Dana said they did, but it looked as if Rosie hadn’t gotten that memo.

  As much as Kieran wanted to handle things on his own, he realized that wasn’t going to work. His first thought was to ask one of his brothers or sisters to help out, but Rosie would probably be more comfortable with a woman.

  The only problem was, Rachel lived in Horseback Hollow. Zoe was in charge of brand management for Robinson Computers, overseeing the company’s presence on social media, plus organizing events to raise the company’s profile. And if that wasn’t enough to keep her occupied, she was happily married to Joaquin Mendoza, who took up any free time she might have.

  Sophie worked as an assistant HR director at Robinson Tech, which kept her busy. She was also all starry-eyed these days, thanks to her recent engagement to Mason Montgomery. And Olivia, who was still single, was a computer programmer at the company. Clearly, his sisters all had lives of their own, so he couldn’t ask any of them.

  And even if they did have the time, they’d all been a little skeptical of his ability to be a father. So there was no way he’d reveal that he was struggling. Instead, he’d prove them wrong, even if it killed him.

  At the sound of the battery-operated motor of the little car, Kieran swore under his breath. If Rosie ran it into the dining room table leg one more time...

  Oh, hell. Why wait until then? As soon as she took a nap—if she ever did—he’d call the doorman and ask him to get rid of it, even if that meant putting it out on the curb with a sign saying: Free to a Good Home.

  A loud thump sounded from the dining area, which meant Rosie had crashed into the table again. What in the world made him think he could handle child rearing on his own?

  I’ll help any way I can, Dana had said. And she’d seemed sincere.

  Kieran whipped out his cell phone, ready to call her right now and take her up on that offer.

  * * *

  Of all the places Dana could have imagined having dinner on a Tuesday evening, Cowboy Fred’s Funhouse and Pizza Emporium wasn’t one of them. But when Kieran called to invite her to join him and Rosie for an early dinner, he’d sounded a little frazzled. And when he’d admitted that he wanted an adult to talk to, she’d agreed. Then she’d hurried home to shut off her Crock-Pot, in which she’d placed a small roast before leaving for work this morning. Once she’d placed the meat in the fridge, she’d changed her clothes.

  She’d been a little flattered by Kieran’s invitation until she realized there was no way he’d ever want to meet a date at one of the most popular kids’ eateries in Austin. Still, she’d applied lipstick and hurried to meet him.

  She found him standing out in front of Cowboy Fred’s, holding Rosie’s hand. He was dressed more casually than usual in a pair of black jeans and a maroon-and-white golf shirt bearing a Texas A&M logo.

  When Rosie, who wore a pair of pink shorts and a white T-shirt with a princess graphic, spotted Dana, she burst into a happy grin and squealed, “Dannnnnnna!”

  The girl’s happy reaction was heartwarming, but it was Kieran’s dazzling smile that set Dana’s pulse soaring at a wacky rate.

  “Thanks for joining us,” he said, as he greeted Dana in front of the bright red door encircled with blinking theater lights. “I owe you.”

  She winked at him, then studied little Rosie’s lopsided ponytail, the red ribbon dangling unevenly and about to slide off.

  “We’ve been cooped up all day,” Kieran said, “so we both needed to get out. But next time, we’ll invite you to have grilled steaks at my house.”

  Next time? So he’d be calling her again and asking her to join him, only
next time at his place?

  Now, that was an interesting thought.

  He grabbed the brass handle and opened the red door for her and Rosie to enter. When the child dashed inside and waited for a greeter dressed in a cowboy costume to stamp her hand, Dana followed, dazed by the rows of mechanical ponies and cars, by the huge room filled with video games.

  The flashing lights and the electronic bleeps made her think of a kiddie casino. Wow. This place was wild. And loud. Now she knew what Kieran meant about “owing her.”

  “Ma’am,” the cowboy said, “I’ll need to stamp your hand, too. Yours, too, sir. Each child’s number needs to match the adults’ who brought her.”

  “Uncle Kieran,” Rosie asked, “can I please go play on the climb-y thing?”

  “Sure, princess. You go ahead.” He pointed to a blue bench that was stationed close to the structure. “As soon as we get our hands stamped, Dana and I will be sitting right there, waiting for you.”

  As the happy girl hurried off, Kieran turned to Dana and asked, “Can you believe this place?”

  “I’d heard about it from a coworker who has a boy in kindergarten, but I’m a little surprised by the lights and noise. I’d think that would cause sensory overload for the kids. I wonder if any of them actually take time to sit down and eat.”

  Kieran laughed. “Maybe not, but I see a couple of dads ordering a beer near that sign that says Chuck Wagon. I think I’ll follow their lead. Would you like something to drink, too?”

  “I’ll have a glass of wine—if they have it. Thanks.”

  While Kieran went to the counter, Dana made her way to the blue bench and took a seat. Moments later, he returned with his beer and her wine, both served in clear plastic glasses. “I’m afraid I’m going to owe you a better vintage when you come to my house.”

  So he hadn’t been just blowing smoke about inviting her to his place for dinner. Not that she’d sensed anything romantic about it.

  “How about Thursday?” he asked. “I’m not going into the office that day.”