Family Secrets

by Michaels, Leigh

  She thought about the early stories of Nicky’s adoption, and nodded, but she wasn’t quite convinced.

  “The production is actually running ahead of schedule,” he went on. “Joe Smith might like to know that – he could probably create a whole issue about the slave-driving habits of the director. Maybe we should call him up and tell him. They pay rather well for tidbits like that.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind next time I’m short of cash,” Amanda said dryly.

  Chase laughed. “And wonder of wonders, none of the scenes on tomorrow’s shooting list involve me at all, so I have a day off. Do you think Nicky will be able to go out in public?”

  Amanda tried to smother the disappointment which washed over her. She hadn’t expected to be relieved of duty quite so quickly. “He’s past the contagious stage, so I don’t see why not. Better take it easy, though, and don’t let him get too much sun.”

  “Well I thought we’d start his reentry into society rather quietly. The inn has a Sunday brunch, right?”

  Amanda nodded. “A very good one, too.”

  “We’ll check it out. Then a short trip to the nearest park, probably followed by a nap.” He grinned. “Big excitement, you can see.”

  “After four days in isolation, it will certainly be exhilarating for Nicky. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourselves.” She set a plate in front of him with a flourish. “Your pot roast, sir.”

  Chase didn’t even look at it. “Actually, I was hoping you’d come along, Amanda. The least I can do to thank you for everything you’ve done is buy you brunch. And as for the park –” His voice dropped to a sultry, almost tremulous confession. “I admit I have ulterior motives in asking you.”

  Amanda’s eyebrows went up slightly.

  “You must know where all the best playgrounds are.”

  She laughed. “That’s a very effective little scene. You might have been late getting into the field, but I’d bet you were born an actor, Chase Worthington.”

  He smiled. “Actors are just people, too, you know. Even stars.” He cut a bite of pot roast and ate it thoughtfully. “You’re right, that’s very good. Nicky has better taste than I gave him credit for.”

  Amanda started to wash up the dishes. “What would you do if it all fell apart, Chase?”

  “Acting, you mean?” He shrugged. “I’d probably go back and finish learning to be a cabinet-maker.”

  She considered that for a minute. She liked the calm, matter-of-fact way he’d said it, as if he wouldn’t miss stardom and all the hoopla that surrounded it, even if it vanished tomorrow. Or was he simply so self-confident that he considered the possibility of losing his position and fame too remote even to consider?

  She asked curiously, “Do you ever want to work with wood any more?”

  “Now and then. I built a few shelves in the new house – I’d have done more of the finishing work if I had the time. But as it is, between the series and the occasional special and this project...”

  “That’s all TV,” she mused. “Don’t you ever want to do feature films? I’m sorry, that’s a nosy question.”

  He dismissed her concern with a wave. “Maybe, if the right projects come along. The work is more intensive, but I’d have longer periods in between to spend with Nicky.”

  “The older he gets, the more important that’s going to be.”

  As if he had heard his name, Nicky appeared and climbed onto a tall stool next to Chase. “I’m hungry, Mandy.”

  Amanda, who had been keeping one eye on the television screen, said, “I’ll bet that’s because you just watched the baby birds get their dinner.”

  Nicky grinned. “Cheep!” he said, and opened his mouth very wide.

  Amanda took a bowl of mixed fruit from the refrigerator and spooned a bite at a time into Nicky’s mouth.

  “Nicholas, that’s disgusting,” his father said.

  “That’s what makes it so much fun,” Amanda told him. “But if you don’t like it...” She put a few bits of fruit into a small dish and set it in front of Nicky. “No more baby bird, pal.”

  “When he’s finished,” Chase said, “I’ll take him upstairs to his own bed, so you can have a decent night’s sleep for a change.”

  Nicky stuck his lower lip out and stirred his fruit.

  Amanda’s heart gave a little jolt of pain. “I don’t mind,” she said quietly. “But of course, you’ll want all day tomorrow with him, so....”

  “Which reminds me, you haven’t really given me an answer. Will you come to brunch?” Chase reached across the breakfast bar and stroked the back of her hand with a gentle finger. “Come play with us tomorrow, Amanda?”

  Nicky looked up at her hopefully, and for a moment she saw a tremendous resemblance between the two of them. Or was it just the pleading expression in their eyes? One pair was dark brown, the other hazel, but they were equally earnest.

  Don’t, she thought. She had done her good Samaritan deed, and it was over. The more time she spent with the Worthingtons – either of them, or in combination – the more difficult she would make it for herself when they left Springhill.

  Her hand tingled under the soft stroke of Chase’s fingertips as if his very touch carried an electrical charge.

  Who was she trying to fool? Nothing she did in the next few weeks could possibly make her miss Nicky more than she already would. And as for Chase...

  Her heart beat just a little faster as she looked into his eyes. If this was foolishness, then she was going to enjoy it while it lasted. She’d worry about the aftereffects when they happened.

  “All right,” she said. “I’ll meet you in the grand ballroom at noon.”

  *****

  They came to her door instead. Chase said it was because he was illustrating proper conduct to Nicky and showing him that a gentleman never left a lady unescorted. Besides, he said, with a gravity which was belied by the twinkle in his eyes, Nicky had been up since six, and he wasn’t certain he could have survived another half hour of the child asking exactly why they couldn’t go and get Mandy yet.

  Nicky, on the other hand, insisted that only he could properly supervise Floyd’s bath, and before Amanda could talk him out of it, he’d put a cup of water in the parakeet’s cage. They were late to brunch because of it, for Floyd spattered Nicky’s new white shorts and they had to go back to the suite to change his clothes.

  “As long as we’re at it, does the child have anything practical?” Amanda sorted through a suitcase full of color-coordinated pastel play clothes. “No wonder the nannies are so frustrated with trying to keep him clean. They’d be better off to put him in dungarees and let him play.”

  She settled for a pair of green shorts which were almost the color of grass, so Nicky could run and slide at the park without getting too stained, and the coordinating top, which was at least dark enough not to show every speck of dirt. “There,” she said when he was dressed again. “You’re all ready to go to the park. You’re lucky, you know. I wish I could go to brunch in my play clothes.”

  Chase looked her over, from the top of her shining hair to her khaki trousers and low-heeled shoes. “That looks like a pretty sensible outfit.”

  “But then you’ve never been to the park with me, have you?”

  “Something tells me I’m in for an experience.” He tugged at his necktie in mock-distress, but there was a note of laughter in his voice, and Amanda shivered a little in anticipation.

  The inn’s ballroom was grand by Springhill standards, though Amanda supposed it wasn’t much compared to some of the places Chase must have been. It was nicely proportioned, however, with high ceilings and beautifully-grained oak panelling. There were also some very nice crystal chandeliers which Amanda was convinced had survived the building’s decades of deterioration only because they were so seriously out of fashion at the time. Now, of course, they were back in style, and she insisted that every crystal drop be kept sparkling.

  “I don’t think this room was open at all a few years
ago,” Chase said. “It’s very pleasant.”

  “I’ve always thought so. And even though it’s not exactly worthy of its name, a party held in a place called the Grand Ballroom has an extra dash nonetheless.”

  The brunch definitely had that little something extra. Not only was the variety of food extensive and colorful, but the setting – small stations scattered throughout the room, each topped with a lush floral centerpiece or a giant ice carving – invited the hungry diner to browse before making his selections.

  The staff seemed unsurprised to see them together. A hotel grapevine was an amazing means of communication, Amanda had always thought. Some of the regular patrons, however, were almost open-mouthed when they spotted the trio. Amanda tried to ignore the watchful looks as she led Nicky up to the buffet line. Let them wonder why he was skipping along beside her, holding her hand and chattering, while Chase followed behind.

  They started with miniature Belgian waffles with blueberries and whipped cream. Nicky dug into his with enthusiasm, and was soon wearing a multi-colored mustache. When he actually asked for a second waffle, Amanda was startled. “I’ll pass that on to the chef,” she murmured. “It’s probably the biggest compliment he’ll get all year – even bigger than being asked to cater the director’s party next Sunday.”

  Chase snapped his fingers. “The party! That’s what I wanted to ask you about.”

  Amanda wiped Nicky’s face with his napkin. “I’m not directly involved in catering, so I’m free if you want me to watch Nicky that night.”

  Chase didn’t answer, and eventually she looked across the table at him, her eyebrows raised.

  “I wasn’t asking you to babysit, Amanda. I want you to go to the party with me.”

  “But the invitation list is limited to cast and crew, isn’t it?”

  “It’s not exactly exclusive. Besides, the director said we’re welcome to bring guests, so if you’re worried about having the gate barred in your face –”

  “Not if I’m with you.”

  “Good. That’s settled. Are you determined to have that second waffle, Nicky, or shall we see what else is available?”

  Nothing was settled, Amanda thought. She hadn’t agreed to go; she’d merely observed that the star could probably get by with whatever he wanted – but before she could say anything at all Chase and Nicky were on their feet, politely waiting for her.

  She decided to let it go. The invitation was flattering, and the party would no doubt be fun – how often, after all, did an outsider get to take part in something like that? It would be a memory to treasure forever, after he was gone...

  Nicky toyed with his second waffle and fidgeted in his chair. He looked around the room, he kicked his feet against the table’s pedestal, and at least once every three minutes he asked if it was time to go.

  Chase murmured, “I’m sorry. This wasn’t such a great idea, was it? Obviously I shouldn’t have said the word park till we were there.”

  Amanda laughed and put her napkin down, signalling to the waiter. “You’re catching on to the fine points.”

  She went back to her apartment to change, and when they met again in the lobby a few minutes later, she began at once to smooth sunscreen onto Nicky’s arms and legs, over his protests. Chase perched on the arm of a wing chair nearby and watched. Amanda was fairly sure it wasn’t the sunscreen he was interested in, but the way her floral-print playsuit fit. When she bought it, she hadn’t even questioned if it might be too brief, but suddenly she felt as if she were wearing a bikini.

  One of the inn’s permanent residents came in from his regular morning walk and stopped at the registration desk to buy a Sunday newspaper. He paused when he saw Amanda and Nicky, and scratched his head. “Is this your little boy, Miss Bailey?”

  Amanda rubbed her sunscreen-laden hand across the back of her neck. “He’s just borrowed for the occasion, Mr. Pierce.”

  He frowned. “Borrowed?”

  “Yes. Just like all the rest of my little friends.”

  “Oh... of course.” His face cleared, and he crossed the lobby to summon the elevator.

  Amanda sighed. “He’s getting a bit confused in the last few weeks,” she said as soon as they were safely outside the building. “I’m worried about him. I wonder if he’s seen his doctor lately.”

  Chase shot a look at her. “Your job is a lot more than keeping the building running, isn’t it?”

  “Well, someone has to keep an eye out for the residents. Mr. Pierce doesn’t have any family.”

  “Don’t get defensive, I wasn’t making judgments. In fact, I admire you for your involvement. You adopt orphaned parakeets and sick kids –”

  “Well, it wasn’t Floyd’s fault that Mrs. Henderson died, any more than it was Nicky’s fault that he got sick.”

  Nicky, skipping along beside her, said, “But I’m all well now.”

  “You’re much better, yes.”

  “Largely,” Chase said, “thanks to you.”

  The simple compliment did funny things to her breathing. She shook her head. “I did what anyone would have, Chase.” Her voice came out a little lower than usual, and she cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject. “Let’s take my car.”

  “Car? But isn’t the park right over there?” He pointed toward the center of town, where the rich green of the central square beckoned.

  “I thought you wanted the best playground.”

  “Well –”

  “It has the highest swings and a tall curlicue slide. It’s a good thing you put on jeans, by the way.”

  “Why?” Chase said warily.

  “Because someone will have to take Nicky down the slide. He’s too little to go without an escort.”

  “The joys of fatherhood,” Chase muttered.

  The park was already crowded, and the playground was teeming with kids from toddlers to teenagers. Nicky hung back a little, clinging to Amanda’s hand, wary of the bustle.

  A girl of about eight, with pigtails and a missing set of front teeth, called from a swing, “Hey, Mandy! Watch me!” and pumped herself higher into the air.

  The name seemed to be a signal; half a dozen children stopped their activities and converged on Mandy.

  “What are you?” Chase muttered. “The Pied Piper?”

  Nicky’s eyes widened, and he pressed closer to Amanda’s side as she dispensed smiles and one-armed hugs to the other children.

  “I’ll bet if you ever turn up here with a baby of your own there’ll be a mutiny,” Chase said under his breath.

  A baby of her own... The very thought nibbled at the corners of her heart and made it ache. “Of course not,” she said stoutly. “They know I’ll always love them all – even if there are a hundred children in my life.”

  “Now that – ” Chase began.

  Nicky interrupted. He tugged at Amanda’s playsuit and demanded, “Mandy, play with me!”

  “It figures,” Chase said. “Mine would be the jealous little brat.”

  Amanda smiled at him and led Nicky off to an empty swing, next to the one the girl with pigtails was using. She slowed down till her swing matched the easy arc of Nicky’s, and soon hopped out. “Let me push him, Mandy.”

  “Gently,” Amanda warned.

  “I know,” Katie Kendall said impatiently. “I haven’t dumped my little brother out of a swing yet, no matter how much I’d like to.”

  Nicky eyed his new method of propulsion with trepidation, but eventually he relaxed a little and even started to giggle as Katie teased him.

  “I’ll be under the oak tree, keeping an eye on you,” Amanda said finally. “Bring Nicky back whenever you get tired of entertaining him.”

  Katie nodded, and Amanda retreated to the shade of the huge old oak at the edge of the playground. Before long she was surrounded by kids.

  Nicky hopped out of the swing and came running, worming his way in among the others till he was pressed against her side. “Hey,” Amanda whispered. “It’s all right. I haven
’t forgotten you.”

  One group went off to the teeter-totters. Another pair disappeared toward the jungle gym. A third group eventually persuaded Nicky to come along to climb on the big old fire truck.

  Chase dropped to the ground beside Amanda. “Nobody’s asked us to play,” he said mournfully.

  “Are you surprised? Kids are very democratic. The adults, on the other hand, are awfully aware that you’re famous and important, and they’re a little scared that you’ll cut them dead if they make a friendly gesture.”