Windy City Romance: Boxed Set: Prequel - Book III

by Barbara Lohr

  Bella’s hand went to the sparkly thing that didn’t seem to match her red shirt. “We got it at the mall.”

  “Harper took Bella shopping,” Connie supplied.

  “Well, that’s wonderful. Where is Harper?”

  “In the kitchen.”

  That’s not how this was going down. “Connie, would you please ask Ms. Kirkpatrick to join us?”

  Eyebrows lifting, Connie trotted out to the kitchen.

  When Harper appeared in the doorway, she looked ready for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in her bright green top. The scarf running through her hair matched the flaming orange pants. And she was in charge of Bella’s wardrobe? His lips twitched and he pressed them tight before asking, “Would you please join us?”

  “Well, I…thought this would be just family.” She toed one of her orange flats against the other.

  He pinned her with his eyes while she squirmed. And Harper was good at squirming. He’d seen that at the bachelor party. “Well, you are part of the family now, aren’t you?” But he knew the danger in that and flicked his eyes to Bella while Harper took a seat. Family members didn’t just up and leave and that had been the case with so many of his nannies. Connie bustled out with another placemat and silverware.

  “Connie, you are most welcome to join us as well.” But she liked to have dinner with Jack. His comment was for Harper’s benefit.

  “If you don’t mind…”

  “Not at all. I know Jack is waiting for you. We can clean up.” He ignored the rearing of Harper’s head. Connie disappeared and came back with a bowl of bisque. “We were just talking about your shopping expedition. Is that shirt new, Bella?”

  “Do you think it’s pretty?” She traced the neckline with one hand. His daughter was preening. The simple feminine gesture made his throat swell and he swallowed hard.

  “Very pretty.” He raised his brows at Harper, who seemed to be waiting. What? Did she think he didn’t know how to give his own daughter a compliment? Nodding her head, she dipped her spoon into the bisque.

  For a second the only sound came from their spoons and the muted traffic on Victory Drive.

  “Harper, why don’t you tell us how your first week is going?” As long as she was here, she could damn well carry her share of the conversation.

  “Well, I…” Her flush rivaled the tomato soup. “I think it’s just fine. I know my way to Bella’s school now.”

  “She only got lost once, Daddy.” Bella sounded so proud. He almost hooted out loud as Harper’s blush deepened.

  “Really? Well, I suppose some things are bound to be new.”

  Eyes dropped, Harper shoved her hair back. A rogue memory of her swinging those tresses back as she stood on his bar swamped him. He sucked in a breath.

  “They are, sir. Ah, Cameron.”

  The image in his head faded fast. She had a way of making him feel older than the hills.

  “Why don’t you tell us a little bit about dinner at your own home?” His question came out sounding smug but he didn’t mean it that way. After all, she’d almost made it through one week. At this house, that was saying something.

  Harper’s spoon circled her soup bowl. “Well, I, ah, have five brothers and one sister so dinners were kind of noisy.”

  “Wow.” The yearning in Bella’s face took a hold of his heart.

  “Sounds like fun. All those people.” Sure, he remembered a crowded dinner table. But it hadn’t been fun and they’d called it supper, not dinner.

  “Yeah, it was fun. My dad’s kind of a character and well, the boys could be rowdy.”

  “Rowdy?” Bella frowned.

  “Wild. Disruptive,” Cameron supplied, waiting to be corrected.

  But Harper grinned. “Yeah, we were wild. But our mother would smack us with a spoon if we got out of hand. More a warning than anything.”

  “Did you get s-smacked, Harper?” Bella could hardly get the word out. There would be no smacking in this house so she had no idea what it was. Sitting back, he tried to visualize the Kirkpatrick dinner table. If any smacking had gone on, it certainly hadn’t toned her down a bit.

  “Of course I did. And I earned it.” Harper laughed as if being disciplined had been more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Connie appeared with the main course. Stifling her giggles, Harper took the platter of brisket while Cameron helped himself to the bowl of butter beans. The food smelled wonderful and he realized he hadn’t eaten lunch. That wasn’t unusual unless he had a lunch meeting.

  The brisket broke with his fork. He savored it slowly while across from him Harper wolfed dinner down with the enthusiasm of a trucker. But she blotted her lips like a lady.

  “You have outdone yourself again, Connie. I do believe these mashed potatoes could levitate right off the plate.” Harper laughed politely and Connie blushed. The conversation moved on. Connie left and Harper cleared the table when they were finished eating and then brought the tapioca pudding to the table.

  “Want some?” She lifted a goblet to Bella, who shook her head.

  Clearly disappointed, Harper slipped into her chair. She actually cared about his daughter’s eating problem and that touched him. Some of the girls just didn’t get it. One had tried to force feed Bella. At least that’s what it looked like to him when Bella’s shriek brought him to the kitchen. He’d dismissed Meredith, or was that Madeleine, on the spot.

  Later he tried to help Harper clean up. “Usually I put the plates in the dishwasher and then leave the pans in the sink for Connie.”

  “Oh, no pans left out. My mother would have a fit.” Harper attacked the roaster with gusto. “This was my job at home. Not a very good cook but cleanup duty? I’m on it.”

  She was as good as her word. Feeling a little lost, Cameron opened the dishwasher. Didn’t take long before she hipped him aside. “No, no. Big plates in back.”

  He stepped aside. Another flashback sent him to the nearest chair. She’d really known how to use those hips as Catwoman and he didn’t need another reminder.

  As she organized the dishwasher, Harper swiped her eyes toward the TV room. Bella had curled up on the sofa and looked almost asleep. “So it’s always like this? Not even puddings?”

  Back to that again. When it came to Bella’s eating issues, he felt so helpless. “I’m afraid so. I take her to a therapist every other Saturday. She thinks we’re making progress but there’s no easy solution. You might as well know that now, Harper. This isn’t a case where one cup of tapioca and she’ll be cured.”

  She closed the dishwasher and flipped the knob. “I didn’t say it would be easy. I’ll take her up to bed.”

  “No, I’ll do it.” Truth was, Bella wasn’t much of a cuddler. Carrying her to bed was a treat.

  After the two of them got Bella into her PJs and she’d curled up on her side, Harper disappeared. He locked up and made a quick call to Kimmy.

  “Are we still on for this weekend?” she asked with an audible yawn. She had to get up so early for her TV show.

  “Of course.” He struggled to recall the plans.

  “Good. Don’t forget it’s black tie.”

  The gallery opening. He thought the black tie thing was a little over the top, but this was some sort of relative of Kimmy’s. Very high brow. “Of course.” He’d need another sticky note.

  But as he tried to read in bed that night, Cameron wasn’t thinking about the gallery opening or even the meeting with Darcy, which had gone well.

  Harper was on his mind.

  But she wasn’t sitting at the dinner table or wrestling with a roasting pan.

  And she most certainly wasn’t wearing that green shirt.

  Chapter 6

  Friday and a great day for the park. Harper was so glad Bella’s grandparents had called. In the back seat of the BMW, she looked so cute in a blue and green flowered top and blue knit pants. Ever since Cameron’s compliment about Bella’s clothes, she’d insisted on wearing a new outfit every day. February sunlight shone through the live o
aks arched overhead. Harper had always loved this boulevard and never dreamed she’d ever be living here. The engine of the BMW purred as they sat at a stoplight. She was feeling pretty good.

  Harper had made it to the end of the week. For the first time since her arrival, she felt like she knew what she was doing. Singing along to Adele’s “Burn,” she stepped on the gas when the light turned green.

  One of Bella’s new Hello Kitty tennis shoes beat against the front seat.

  “Hey, Bella, no kicking, okay? You’ll leave a mark. Your dad won’t like it.”

  Harper was discovering that the word “Dad” worked magic. Bella stopped kicking but tucked her fingers in her mouth and began to suck. Made Harper crazy, but one thing at a time.

  The call from Bella’s grandparents had been such a nice surprise that morning. Connie was busy with the laundry, so Harper had answered the phone. The ring of the landline startled her, and she’d rushed to answer it. “Bennett residence. This is Harper.”

  There’d been a pause on the other end. “Hello, this is Bella’s grandmother. And, well, we were just wondering if we could see little Bella?” The voice quavered, like the woman was either very old or sick.

  “Why, of course. We don’t have anything scheduled for today.” Was she owning this nanny role or what? Cameron had mentioned that his own family lived out of town, so this must be his wife’s family. She didn’t know much about Cameron’s wife, only that she’d died tragically. Since she’d planned on taking Bella to Daffin Park anyway, she quickly agreed to meet the couple near the fountain. Linda Sue Goodwin told her they would be on the bench at the edge of the pond around ten o’clock.

  When Harper pulled into the park, the Spanish moss swayed from the trees in a soft breeze that promised spring. “We’re going to see your grandma and grandpa this morning, Bella. Won’t that be nice?” She looked in her rearview mirror. The little girl was eyeing the swings across from the pond.

  Stepping out and hooking her canvas tote bag over one shoulder, Harper opened the back door and helped Bella from the seat. Taking the little girl’s hand, she surveyed the area. “Now, where are they?”

  Bella’s attention was still captured by the play area.

  “Look, is that them over there?” An older couple huddled together on a park bench under one of the trees. When they spotted Harper and Bella walking toward them, they stood, although the man had trouble getting to his feet.

  Bella pulled back on Harper’s hand. “I want to swing,” she complained in a whiny voice.

  “And we will. But first we’ll talk to your grandparents, okay?” What was this? Gently she tugged Bella forward.

  How well Harper remembered Sunday dinners at her grandmother’s house, before the Kirkpatrick clan became so large that Grandma Nora had to come to their place. Roast chicken and dumplings had been Grandma’s standard Sunday meal. To this day, that smell made Harper’s mouth water. Her grandmother had died five years ago and Harper really missed her. Grandpa had been gone a long time. Bella was lucky.

  Leaning heavily on a cane, Mr. Goodwin tried to keep up with his wife as she sprang toward them. Her wire-rimmed glasses didn’t hide her pretty features.

  But Bella balked. “I want to swing now!” She kept tugging at Harper’s hand.

  How embarrassing. Stopping and squatting to eye level, Harper said, “We’ll go to the swings later, Bella. Don’t be rude.”

  The only response was “the lip.” Bella had a habit of thrusting out her lower lip whenever she didn’t agree. That happened a lot.

  With Bella tight in hand, Harper walked toward the attractive couple. At one time, their pewter hair might have been as dark as Bella’s. That would make sense since in the pictures, their daughter had raven hair. In spite of a slight limp, Mr. Goodwin looked like he’d just stepped off a golf course in his navy slacks and jacket over a yellow polo shirt. His wife also trended toward L.L.Bean in tailored beige pants and a pale blue sweater set with pearls. The smell of Heaven Sent was unmistakable as Harper drew closer, extending one hand. She liked them already. “Hi, I’m Harper Kirkpatrick. Bella’s new nanny.”

  She could have been invisible as Linda Sue shook her hand. Her eyes were riveted to Bella.

  “Oh, Harvey. Isn’t she just the picture of Tammy?” Mrs. Goodwin’s pale eyes watered.

  “She certainly is. The very picture.”

  Good grief, were they both going to burst into tears? The whole scene began to feel strange. Bella had ducked behind one of Harper’s legs, hands knotted on her purple jeans until Harper could feel the pinch. “Come on, Bella. Say hello.”

  The little girl remained rigidly attached to Harper’s thigh. Those tiny fingers might even leave a bruise.

  “Why don’t we just sit down,” she suggested. Anxiety cinched Harper’s chest. Bella’s grandmother was checking Harper out with a puzzled frown, taking in the purple and orange striped scarf in her hair. The husband hung back.

  “She doesn’t know us. That’s all, Harvey. Let’s sit down, dear.” Bella’s grandmother coaxed her husband back to the bench where he maneuvered onto the worn slats with some effort.

  “Arthritis,” Linda Sue told Harper in an undertone.

  The unease in Harper’s body broke into a nervous chatter, like the squirrels dashing through the trees overhead. Something felt so off. Pulling Bella onto her lap, she faced the couple. “When was the last time you saw Bella?”

  “Oh, well.” Linda Sue looked to her husband, who gave a dismissive snort. “You see, we haven’t seen her. Not since she was a baby.”

  Please, would the ground just open and swallow me?

  “Never?” Harper’s arms tightened their hold and Bella squirmed.

  “Did you say that you were a new nanny?” Linda Sue looked as confused as Harper felt.

  “Yes. I started this week.”

  “I see.” What looked like sympathy softened Linda Sue’s features. “Well now, Harper, we’re sure glad you brought Bella to see us today. She looks just like our darling little girl.”

  The lump in Harper’s throat felt like a golf ball until anger dislodged it. Why in heaven’s name would Cameron keep this poor couple from seeing their granddaughter? They seemed harmless as they chatted with her about the weather. When they asked about her background, this felt strangely like another interview. The older couple barely listened, eyes on their granddaughter. Bella was bored. Her swinging legs made that obvious. After two kicks to Harper’s shins, it was time to head for the play area.

  “We should go. I promised Bella she could swing. Maybe we could meet again sometime.” After I know what I’m doing. Harper slid Bella from her lap and stood.

  “Oh, we’d like that.” Something in Linda Sue’s pinched expression told Harper she realized a mistake had been made. “Thank you for bringing her today.”

  “Not a problem.” Only it probably was.

  Opening her arms, Linda Sue beckoned to Bella. “Do you think I could have a hug? Just one hug for your grandmother?”

  Bella lowered her head and the lip went out.

  Mr. Goodwin put a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Don’t, Linda Sue. She doesn’t know who we are, darlin’.” Sadness echoed in his voice.

  Regaining her feet, Linda Sue managed a small smile. “Thank you so very much. Harper? Is that right?”

  “Yes, my name is Harper.”

  After they said goodbye, Harper took Bella’s hand. With a wild shriek, the child broke free and raced toward the play area, arms outstretched. Lord, she was a wild spirit. After settling Bella onto one of the swings, Harper began to push. From the corner of her eye, she could see the couple sitting in the black Lincoln, watching them. It creeped her out.

  Her mind reeled as she pushed Bella higher. What kind of guy was Cameron Bennett? Forget his gentlemanly grooming and the soft southern burr to his voice. Was he so busy with his business and his girlfriend that he couldn’t share Bella with his wife’s parents? Seemed so cruel.

  “Too
high!” Bella’s screech snapped Harper back to reality.

  “Sorry. Sorry, honey.” Harper grabbed the rubber swing and slowed its course. She didn’t want to terrify the girl.

  But she may have already done that with grandparents she didn’t even know.

  ~.~

  “I took Bella to meet her grandparents today,” Harper told Connie about an hour later when they were having lunch. No use beating around the bush. She’d been raised Catholic and was always ready to repent. Connie was making soup for dinner, and the smell of chicken and onions filled the kitchen.

  “Grandparents.” Connie fixed her with an empty stare and stopped stirring.

  Grabbing her glass of lemonade, Harper took a sip. “Yes, Tammy Goodwin’s parents. I guess.” Cripes, she felt like such a fool.

  Connie’s eyes widened. “You’ll have to tell him. I’m not.”

  Harper straightened in her chair. “Of course I will. No big deal.”

  “I’m sorry, Harper. I should have told you.” Connie pushed a wisp of gray hair back and returned to stirring. “I always take a message when anyone calls, just so you know. What Mr. Bennett does with those messages, well, that’s not for us to know or say.”

  But she could tell from the housekeeper’s expression that it bothered her more than a little. She had to tell “Mr. Bennett” herself? Harper might need some of those southern smelling salts to get the job done.

  Bella paid no attention to their conversation, shoveling in the cereal. Her appetite gone, Harper tucked the leftover half of her turkey and cheese sandwich into a baggie and stowed it in the refrigerator.

  She’d been feeling so good about her position and now she’d blown it. When would Cameron get home? Did he go out with the guys after work on Fridays? She sure hoped so. Or maybe he’d meet Kimmy—wasn’t that her name—after work for a drink? Part of her would be relieved if he didn’t come home, but she wanted this to be over. Would he fire her?

  After putting Bella to bed, Harper took up her post in the library. A stack of magazines had arrived that day. She paged through Kiplinger and then went on to Money Magazine. You could tell this was a man’s house. Absolutely no articles about clothes or makeup. She set the magazines aside and looked over the library shelves.