From Fortune to Family Man

by Judy Duarte

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  “It’s not the right kind. I like the mac and cheese that comes out of the box. This kind is yucky.”

  Kieran would have preferred Gregorio’s variety, especially since they made the pasta on the premises and used three different types of cheese for the sauce. But what was he supposed to do if she wouldn’t eat?

  As a result, he ordered the chicken tenders to go.

  By two o’clock, he realized she needed a nap. So he removed the cushions from the two chairs in front of his desk and made a small bed for her on the floor. She might have dozed off, but his phone rang several times, causing her to stir.

  An hour later, he gave up and let her sit at his desk to color. But she must have left the cap off the orange marker for days, if not longer, because it was dry as a bone. Apparently, that was the only color she could possibly use to draw a butterfly, so she had a meltdown.

  At that point, he gave up and took her home.

  He hadn’t thought that being a parent would be easy, but he hadn’t had any idea how tough the job really was. Nor had he realized it would make it damn near impossible to get any work done.

  And that wasn’t the only thing that had suffered since he brought Rosie to live with him. His love life was at a complete standstill.

  If he’d had a relationship with someone right now, he might actually have a love life. And that realization made him wonder why he’d been such a commitment phobe in the first place.

  Not that he was sorry he had Rosie. He actually enjoyed being with her—when he didn’t have any work or projects that needed to get done.

  On Wednesday morning, while at the preschool, he asked the director if Rosie had moved up on the waitlist to attend full time. She had, but only by one child. “I’m not sure how helpful this will be,” Miss Peggy added. “One of our families is on vacation this week, so we can let Rosie take her place this Thursday.”

  Kieran had thanked her, relieved that he had child care for the rest of the week. But then he received word on Friday afternoon that the board of directors had scheduled an important meeting on Saturday morning.

  He’d called Kelly as soon as he’d heard the news, but she was on a camping trip with a friend’s family. Even the nanny agency couldn’t help since the office was closed for the weekend. So it was official: he’d run out of child care options once again.

  That is, until Dana crossed his mind. Once he envisioned her smiling face, her long, silky hair, those expressive blue eyes...well, hope soared.

  In spite of his resolve to avoid her, he had no other choice than to call her. And with each ring of the phone, his mood lightened even more.

  For a moment, he worried that she might not answer, then he heard her sweet voice dance across the line. “Hi, Kieran. What’s up?”

  “I’m having nanny problems,” he blurted out. Realizing his desperation had run away with him, he added, “I’m not asking you to help with that, but do you know of any other people Zach might have used to watch Rosie when Kelly wasn’t available? I’m talking about adult women Rosie might actually like.”

  “He had a few girls he’d call sometimes, but they’re all teenagers and not available as full-time sitters. I’m afraid Sandra was always his first choice.”

  And Sandra wasn’t going to be an option these days.

  Kieran raked a hand through his hair and blew out a sigh of frustration. “I have a meeting tomorrow that I can’t miss or reschedule. And I really dread the thought of taking Rosie with me.” Did he dare tell her he knew firsthand why that wasn’t going to work?

  “I can watch her for you,” Dana said.

  In spite of his resolve, relief washed over him. Dana had come to his rescue yet again.

  “But if you don’t mind,” she added, “I’d rather you brought her to my house. That way, we can play dress up.”

  “What’s that?” Kieran asked, although he suspected Rosie wouldn’t object to anything Dana suggested.

  “It’s just something we do—a game, actually.”

  Then Rosie would definitely be on board for that. “You have no idea how much I appreciate that offer.”

  Nor did she realize how much he was looking forward to seeing her again.

  * * *

  On Saturday morning, Kieran drove to Dana’s place in Hyde Park. Dana had told him that she’d renovated one of the homes that had been built right after World War II. But nothing prepared him for what he saw when he pulled up in front of the small, wood-framed house that was painted mustard yellow. The roof and shutters were dark brown, while the porch and window were framed in white, the front door a bright orange.

  He doubted it was much bigger than 1200 square feet, but the exterior seemed to suit Dana. And so did the well-manicured yard, with freshly mowed grass and a variety of orange and yellow marigolds lining the walkway.

  In fact, he sat in the car a moment, just studying the unique decor and style. He had no idea what the place had looked like when she purchased it, but she’d done an amazing job with the renovation. No wonder she wanted to keep the house for a while before selling it. She ought to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

  “Can I get out of my car seat?” Rosie asked. “I can do it myself.”

  “Sure, princess.” Kieran slid out from behind the wheel, circled the car and opened the rear passenger door for the little girl who was determined to unbuckle herself.

  “See?” Rosie said, clearly proud of her efforts. Then she reached for her backpack and hurried up the walkway to the front porch.

  Dana, his beautiful lifesaver, opened the door and greeted them with a bright-eyed smile before Rosie could ring the bell.

  The child practically jumped with glee, and Kieran’s heart reacted the same way. Damn, he hadn’t realized how badly he’d missed her.

  “Just wait until you see what I have planned for us to do this morning,” Dana told the happy little girl.

  “Can we go to the park again?” Rosie asked. “Like we did last time I came here?”

  “If you want to. But first, we’re going to make old-fashioned sugar cookies with sprinkles. Then we’re going to play dress up.”

  Rosie glanced over her shoulder at Kieran, a smile stretched across her face. “You don’t have to come back and pick me up until nighttime, Uncle Daddy.”

  Now, that was the kind of reaction every parent hoped their child would have when dropping them off at day care or with a sitter.

  Kieran looked over the child’s head at Dana and winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back sooner than that.”

  “It really doesn’t matter to me. We have a full day planned, especially if we pack a lunch and go to the park.” Dana placed a gentle hand on Rosie’s head, taking a moment to stroke her hair. “Honey, why don’t you take your things into the living room?”

  Rosie slipped past Dana and hurried into the house, taking her backpack with her. That left the adults alone on the porch, which wasn’t nearly as awkward as he’d once thought it would be.

  “Before you go,” Dana said, “I want to share something with you. A couple of days ago, when Ariana Lamonte came by the history center and researched some old magazines and newspaper articles, I assumed she was interested in your father’s move to Austin and the formation of Robinson Tech.”

  That’s what Kieran had thought, too. “What was she looking for?”

  “I’m not entirely sure. Apparently, she uncovered an article that suggested your father came to town brokenhearted, and that your mother helped put him on the mend.”

  “I can see how my mom would have helped him forget the life he once had as Jerome Fortune.”

  “Maybe, but when I implied something similar, Ariana said she wasn’t so sure and suggested there was more to it than that.”

  Kieran bris
tled at the thought of a journalist digging into his father’s past. Sure, his old man had kept a lot of secrets from the family for years. But what appeared to be an article about the younger Fortunes was sounding more like an exposé of Gerald Robinson aka Jerome Fortune.

  Recently, thanks to their dad’s numerous affairs, they’d met several half siblings they hadn’t realized existed. Kieran had been a little embarrassed by it, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t curious about the past.

  He couldn’t very well blame Ariana for her interest in the family, but the fact that there might be some old skeletons for her to uncover didn’t sit well with him.

  At first when he’d heard about the article she was writing, he’d thought highlighting some of the younger Fortunes might be good publicity for the company as well as for the Fortune Foundation and Peter’s Place, a home for wayward teenage boys his brother Graham had established. But now he feared it might have the opposite effect.

  He wouldn’t mention that to Dana, though. Instead, he shrugged it off, pretending it didn’t interest him in the least.

  “Nothing about my father would surprise me,” he said, glancing at his wristwatch.

  “You’d better go,” Dana said.

  “You’re right. I still have to drive across town, and I don’t want to be late for that meeting.”

  Dana glanced over her shoulder and into the living room, where Rosie was already unloading her books and markers. “And don’t worry about us. We’re going to have fun today.”

  Kieran didn’t doubt that. He took a moment to study the pretty redhead who had proven to be a good friend. “I know I’ve told you this before, but it’s true. I really appreciate you.”

  And not just for helping him out as a sitter.

  Dana’s smile set off a glimmer in her eyes. “And like I said, I’m happy to do it.”

  The morning sun cast a shimmer of gold in her auburn hair. Framed within the doorway of her newly painted house, the colors reminding him of fall, she seemed to fit nicely, leaving her mark on the decor in a special way.

  “I love what you’ve done to this house.” And he did, which was odd coming from a man who made it a point to never use the L word, especially when he was with a single woman who might get the wrong idea about him.

  But this woman was different, and whenever he was around her, he felt a lot of different emotions stirring up inside him.

  “Thanks,” she said. “When you come back for Rosie, I’ll give you a tour of the inside.”

  “I’d lo...like that.” Then he did something completely unexpected—he leaned forward, cupped her jaw and brushed a kiss on her cheek.

  A show of affection like that wouldn’t have been so bad. But when he caught a whiff of her scent... Was that Coco Chanel? If not, it was a darn good knockoff. It also knocked him off stride. And rather than end the thanks-and-goodbye kiss, his lips lingered on her cheek a beat too long.

  Dammit. What was wrong with him?

  He needed this woman in the worst way. Maybe even in the best way. And he was really going to screw things up if he wasn’t careful.

  “I’m sorry if I just stepped over the line or dishonored Zach in any way.”

  “You didn’t,” she said, her eyes wide, her lips parted.

  If she knew what he was thinking, she’d disagree.

  “I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” he said.

  “Take all the time you need.”

  He nodded, then turned to go, knowing that he was going to need a hell of a lot more time to get his racing pulse under control and his mind back on track.

  Chapter Eight

  Dana stood on the front porch and watched Kieran head to his car, the skin on her cheek still tingling from the soft touch of his lips and the warmth of his breath.

  If he’d meant that kiss to be a friendly show of appreciation, then why had he apologized for it? That hadn’t made sense, unless he’d had another reason behind it.

  She could probably ponder the possibilities until the cows came home, but that’d be a waste of time. She didn’t have a lot of experience with men or in reading their intentions, especially wealthy corporate executives. So she wouldn’t continue to stand on her stoop, stunned by their latest awkward encounter.

  As she turned around so she could go back into her house, she stole one last peek at Kieran, who was getting into his car.

  He glanced over his shoulder at the same time, catching her in the act of gawking at him like a love-struck wallflower at a high school dance.

  Unsure of what—if anything—she should do, she lifted her hand and gave him a casual wave, as if she hadn’t been affected by either the kiss or the eye contact. Then she passed through the doorway and into the living room, where Rosie was seated on the hardwood floor, coloring.

  It had been a month or more since Rosie had last been at Dana’s house. That day had started with a trip to the library for the preschool story hour. Then they’d picked up sandwiches at a nearby deli and spent the next couple hours at the park. When they returned home, Dana pulled out some of her vintage clothing and let Rosie dress up like a “big lady,” including an application of pink lipstick.

  Rosie probably expected more of the same today, but Dana had a better idea, one that was going to be both fun and educational.

  As she approached the little girl, Dana said, “I have a surprise for you.”

  Rosie looked up, her eyes bright, and smiled. “What is it?”

  “The other day, when I was shopping at an estate sale, I found an antique chest called a steamer trunk. I bought it so that I could refurbish it. But when I got it home and opened it, I found a treasure inside.”

  Rosie’s eyes grew wide. “Like gold?”

  “No, not that kind. A treasure can also mean something special to the person who finds it.” When Rosie scrunched her face and tilted her head, Dana reached out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Come with me.”

  Rosie pushed aside her coloring book, got to her feet and took Dana’s hand. “Where is it?”

  “In my guest room. I’ll show it to you.”

  Moments later, as they stood in front of the hundred-year-old trunk that appeared well-traveled, Dana lifted the lid, revealing the old clothing and stage props inside.

  A playbill, its pages yellowed and worn, suggested she’d found costumes that had been made for the cast of a 1936 theater performance about Texas pioneers. Along with a few bonnets, skirts, blouses, a man’s britches and a red flannel shirt, there was also a child-size calico dress.

  At the time she’d discovered the treasure trove, Dana had immediately thought about Rosie. But before she could invite her over for a playdate, she’d gotten the call about Zach’s accident, so the plan had never panned out.

  Now, with Rosie here, today seemed to be the perfect time to play dress up while having a history lesson and making homemade cookies.

  “Instead of going to the library,” Dana said, as she began removing a woman’s long, blue skirt and the child’s calico dress, “let’s put on these costumes and have story hour here.”

  “Those clothes look funny,” Rosie said.

  “Maybe to those of us living today, but a hundred and fifty years ago, people dressed like this.”

  “Okay. That’ll be fun.” Rosie kicked off her pink sneakers and began removing her white T-shirt and denim shorts.

  “After we get dressed like pioneers, I’ll tell you real life stories about people who lived in Texas a long time ago. And then we’ll whip up a batch of sugar cookies from a recipe I found in an old cookbook.”

  “Will we make enough cookies so Uncle Daddy can have one, too?”

  “We certainly will. And we’ll also have plenty for you to take home.”

  Then, when Kieran returned for Rosie...

 
Dana’s thoughts stalled on the handsome man who’d kissed her, then quickly apologized and dashed off to a business meeting. Her cheek was no longer tingling. But that didn’t change the fact that Kieran Fortune had kissed her, that his lips and his soft breath had warmed her from the inside out. The affection he’d shown her had touched her in a magical way, transporting her into an unexpected role, like an actress on the stage.

  Dana might try to forget what had happened when he left, but that brief kiss and the romantic fantasy it provoked would remain in her memory for a very long time.

  * * *

  The board meeting at the Robinson Tech office had gone into overtime, lasting several more hours than anyone had expected. So by the time Kieran returned for Rosie, it was nearly one o’clock.

  After parking at the curb in front of Dana’s house, he made his way along the marigold flanked walkway to the front porch. He rang the bell, and moments later, Rosie answered the door wearing a long prairie-style dress, a floppy yellow bonnet and a happy smile.

  But what really took him by surprise—and a pleasant one at that—was seeing Dana dressed like a schoolmarm in a long blue skirt and a white, high-collared blouse, her hair swept up in a soft, feminine topknot.

  “What’s going on?” he asked, unable to quell an erupting chuckle.

  “We’ve been playing pioneer girls.” Rosie lifted a small glass jar that held something white and gooey. “And look what we made!”

  Kieran didn’t have any idea what that stuff was.

  When Rosie handed him the jar for a closer inspection, he still didn’t have a clue and furrowed his brow.

  “It’s butter,” Dana said.

  “Yep.” Rosie beamed. “We put milk in this jar, then we put a lid on it.”

  “Actually, we didn’t use milk,” Dana corrected. “It was heavy cream.”

  “Uh-huh,” Rosie said, nodding in agreement. “Then I had to shake and shake and shake until my arm got tired. So Dana helped me until it turned into butter. It’s not yellow, but it’s just like the kind they used to make when my grandma was a little girl and they didn’t get to buy it in the store.”