by Carol Henry
Jennifer inched her way toward the opposite side of the room, away from the fireplace with Chad and Dennis keeping in step. Gabriella looked up and spotted the greenery hanging from the alcove toward the side entrance. Ah. Mistletoe. It stuck out like a sore thumb that had been whacked with a hammer. Whoever had placed the mistletoe there must have done so after dinner. The “red-siren” inched her way across the carpeted floor, closer to where Gabriella stood with a drink in her hand.
“Why Chad, you naughty boy. I can’t believe you did that to Denny. So much for friends. Did you kiss and make up?” Jennifer’s cunning voice grated false and shrill.
Gabriella wasn’t sure what they had been talking about. Nevertheless, spellbound, she waited to see what Jennifer’s next move would be. She didn’t have long to find out. Standing directly under the mistletoe now, Jennifer looked dismayed, her eyes wide, her perfectly painted fingernails lying claim to her ample chest where her heart was supposed to be somewhere buried beneath.
Gabriella wanted to vomit.
“Speaking of kissing, I must say, I didn’t notice this beautiful sprig of mistletoe and holly hanging here earlier.”
Liar.
Gabriella’s stomach lurched. Chad must have seen this coming—he wasn’t the sort of man to be blind-sided by this kind of woman.
“Tradition is tradition, after all.” Jennifer batted her long thick, mascara-laden lashes at Chad, her voice turning low and sultry.
Chad didn’t move, but then, he didn’t back off, either. Gabriella watched as Jennifer took matters into her own hands and tugged Chad forward. She slipped her arms around his neck, and held on tight. The vixen drew Chad in for a full frontal assault right in front of everyone—her body snug against his. The woman’s very generous, sensual lips were plastered against Chad’s. Gabriella’s stomach roiled at the display. She held her breath, looked toward Chad’s parents and sure enough, Helen had seen the whole thing. The woman looked delighted. There was no other way to describe that animated face and those sparkling eyes. Gabriella hadn’t wanted to believe Helen was a meddling matchmaker, but it appeared to be true.
Gabriella turned back to the couple still standing under the mistletoe in a tight lip-lock. They made a striking couple.
Not to be outdone, Dennis elbowed Chad and Jennifer aside in the middle of their kiss, grabbed Gabriella’s arm, and dragged her to him.
“My turn,” he said, then leaned in for a kiss. Stunned, Gabriella didn’t have time to respond before Dennis ended the kiss and led her over to the picture window, away from the others.
“What was that all about?” Gabriella asked.
“Sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t resist. Seeing Jennifer make a play for Chad, I just got caught up in the moment. Sorry.”
Thankfully, the Hempsteads and Chad’s sisters were still staring in shock at Chad and Jennifer. They hadn’t paid any attention to her and Dennis.
“I wasn’t prepared—you surprised me, is all. You do know I’m not interested in anyone right now. Right?”
“You’ve made it clear. It was just a holiday kiss. Think nothing of it.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I should go check on Nina.”
She crossed the room, startled to find Jennifer blocking her way.
“I understand you’re an unwed single mother,” Jennifer said before Gabriella could make her escape. “How dreadful to have a baby to have to take care of all on your own.”
Jennifer’s negative implications were clear. The rude woman reminded her of Charles and his attitude toward Nina.
“I’m a single parent by choice,” Gabriella said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on Nina.”
“Well, of course.” Jennifer’s smile was pure bitter syrup. “I’m sure you won’t be missed.”
Gabriella glanced around the library. All eyes were on them. She was unable to read Chad’s expression. His lips were clamped, his brows lowered. Was he angry thinking she was the one to cause such a scene? She decided not to hang around to find out—he could think what he wanted. She fled to the kitchen where Ethel had Nina’s bottle warming in a pan of water on the stove.
“Thanks, Ethel. You’re wonderful.” Gabriella gave the woman a hug. “I’m going to miss you when I leave.”
“Just doing my job,” Ethel said, her warm smile genuine.
“I don’t think your job is to watch over me and make my job easier. I’m not sure why I have a job here at all.”
“It’ll come to you before long, my dear. Miracles, no matter how big or small, never cease to happen, especially this time of year.”
“I could certainly use a miracle this year,” Gabriella said.
“All in good time, my dear, all in good time.”
“Do you have family of your own?” Gabriella asked.
“Did have.” Ethel wiped her hands on her ample, red-nosed reindeer apron. “My husband died ten years ago. My son lives out west and works for one of those highfaluting computer companies. Don’t get to see him much. I started working for the Hempsteads a year after Ernie died. It’s been my salvation, my miracle.”
“Why haven’t you moved out by your son?”
“Never did like the idea of living in California. Traffic? Earthquakes? No thanks. Besides, my son’s lifestyle is too fast for me. I’m happy right where I am. Here, now,” Ethel wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, “you take this on up to our wee-one before she wakes and becomes unhappy. Helps take the pressure off you to be ready when she starts fussing. Go on, now, and be getting some rest yourself. You look done-in.”
“Thanks,” Gabriella gave Ethel another hug and this time a kiss on her soft cheek. Ethel was lucky to have found a family like the Hempsteads.
Gabriella wasn’t in her room five minutes when Nina woke wanting her evening bottle. A half-hour later she was back in her crib fast asleep.
Gabriella, on the other hand, was far from ready for sleep. She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the snow drifting down outside her window. She shouldn’t be worrying about Chad Hempstead, or the cruel words Jennifer had inflicted. She had an exam to study for, a baby to take care of, and a job to do. Who had time to fantasize over a man like Chad? She fell backwards into the soft mattress and closed her eyes. Big mistake. All she could see was Chad’s eyes staring back at her. She found herself drawn to him despite his opinion of her. No matter how warm all over she got whenever Chad Hempstead walked into a room. No matter how disarming his smile. No matter how devastatingly handsome. She didn’t need or want a man in her life.
Yeah. Right.
Chapter Seven
Gabriella spent the following week working around Helen and Nina’s schedule. Tuesday and Thursday Helen’s physical therapist arranged to stop by mid-morning, and Gabriella assisted while Nina slept. After Helen’s session, the older woman settled in the hot tub for twenty minutes before she laid down to rest. Nina claimed Gabriella’s attention for a couple of hours and Gabriella delighted in playing with her niece who was beginning to laugh, coo, and kick about more and more.
Several times Gabriella caught Chad standing in the library doorway watching them. His expression gave nothing away. She wondered what he was thinking, but then Nina would take her mind off her thoughts about Helen’s moody son and back on the bubbly baby and her day would brighten once again.
Tuesday morning, after Helen finished her physical therapy and was tucked back in her room for a rest, Chad, once again, stood in the doorway for a few moments before surprising Gabriella and this time, stepping into the room. He sat down in the chair next to where she and Nina were playing on the floor.
“I want to apologize for Jennifer’s rudeness the other night,” he said. “She was out of line.”
“No need to apologize for her.” She kept her attention focused on Nina. The baby cooed and smiled up at her. “It doesn’t matter what she thinks. But she’s right. Nina is my responsibility—I am a single mother.”
“But you aren’t an unwed m
other.”
His statement sounded more like a question.
“I’m not married, but I do have a baby. In her eyes I guess I am an unwed mother.”
“Not in the true sense of the meaning.”
Gabriella wondered where they were going with this conversation—why he was defending her.
“Nevertheless, I could see that it upset you and I wanted to let you know that I don’t feel the same way Jennifer does.”
“Thank you. It makes it easier to live here until after the holidays.”
“I admire you for taking on the responsibility of someone else’s child, even if it is family.”
Gabriella was stunned. Chad actually admired her?
She was speechless. She swallowed and rubbed her thumbs over Nina’s smooth, pudgy hands—the tiny fingers gripped her own fingers. She smiled.
The silence stretched on forever. Gabriella wished he’d leave, his nearness prickling the hairs on her neck.
“Cat got your tongue?” Chad asked.
Was he reading her mind again?
“No. I’m just overwhelmed by you and your family. It’s beyond courtesy to include me in your inner circle, especially during the holidays. You have a very loving family, Chad. You’re a very lucky man. You should come home more often, your parents miss you.”
“Yes. I am lucky. Look, I’m sorry if I made you feel as if you weren’t welcome, earlier. I hadn’t expected to see you again, especially after I bumped into your car. It was quite a surprise to walk into my parent’s home and find you having tea with my mother.”
The sincerity of it shone in his eyes. He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned toward her. His breath fanned the stray tendrils hanging loose against her neck. The sensation made her quiver. She was reminded once again of their encounter in the washroom and of him seeing her naked. She inverted her head to hide her emotions. But his next words squelched the heat that had crept up her neck.
“I want to work out a settlement on the damage I did to your car.” He raised his hands to stop her protest before she could speak. “I know, I know. You said you don’t want my help. But I can see how wrong I was to think the little bit of cash I gave you was sufficient.”
Gabriella leaned back on her bended knees, her head snapped up, her eyes narrowed.
“Correct. I don’t want your help. And you did give me enough to pay to have the car repaired. You’re just feeling sorry for me. Keep your money and your sympathy. I don’t need either.”
She leaned over and gathered Nina’s blankets around her squirming body.
“You do need it. Otherwise why are you here working for my parents instead of planning your next semester? Why are you being so stubborn about this? What’s wrong with my money?”
“The fact that you thought I was after it to begin with should be answer enough.”
He just didn’t get it, did he? Yes, she could use the money, but she wasn’t looking for a handout from anyone, least of all him. She’d already turned down his generous offer. How much more was he willing to offer to entice her to take his money? It didn’t matter—she wouldn’t accept any amount. She wasn’t about to become beholden to him.
****
“I was wondering if you’re ready for a break,” Dennis said. “I have reservations at the Landing for Wednesday night. You’ll love it, they have great seafood. “
Gabriella was surprised at the phone call, but shouldn’t have been. After the kiss under the mistletoe, he’d promised to call—out of friendship. Nothing more. Still, she’d put it out of her mind. A break from motherhood, even for a few hours sounded lovely.
“You don’t have to do this, Dennis. Besides, it’s short notice.”
“What about your friend Mindy. Think she’ll babysit? I can drive you and Nina to her apartment and back.”
“You make it too easy,” she laughed at his persistence. “I’ll give Mindy a call. I think she’s still in town. Give me your number and I’ll call you back.”
With her exam successfully out of the way Wednesday morning, and Mindy more than happy to babysit Nina, Gabriella concentrated on getting ready for dinner with Dennis. Her mind, however, wasn’t fully on the evening ahead. Immediately after her exam, she’d called the lawyer to see how things were progressing with the adoption papers. She was told that with the holiday in full swing things were backing up and it might take a bit longer than expected to process the paperwork. On the one hand, she was relieved she didn’t need to pay the fees right away, but on the other hand, she was disappointed. She called the Graduate School office and applied for a leave of absence for the spring semester.
Knowing she wasn’t going to be fit company, she was prepared to cancel her dinner date with Dennis. However, after thinking it through, she decided to go. She might not have another opportunity to enjoy an evening out anytime soon, and Mindy was looking forward to babysitting Nina.
Gabriella had refused Dennis’ offer of a ride to Mindy’s and instead arranged to meet him at the restaurant.
“You lucky dog,” Mindy met her at the door, taking Nina and planting several kisses on the baby’s smooth, chubby cheeks.
“I’m not interested, Mindy. Dennis is nothing more than a friend. Why he feels the need to look out for me is beyond my comprehension. I’ve told him a number of times, I’m not interested.”
“Yeah, yeah. I hear ya, girlfriend. I’m just saying if it were me, I’d be giving that man signals.”
“Maybe you should go with him instead. I could always cry off. It’s probably what he expects, anyway.”
“Kidding. You go and have fun. I can’t wait to unbundle this darling girl and enjoy her company—I’ve missed her.”
After dropping Nina off at Mindy’s, Gabriella met Dennis at the Waterfront Restaurant where the maître’d showed them to a secluded table—too intimate for Gabriella’s comfort level. A candle burned dimly in the center. The view overlooked the lake. Gabriella glanced through the window at the icy water where white caps listed about like miniature sailboats lost at sea. Lost and alone—like her.
“So, how was your day?”
Dennis’s smile should have warmed her heart, but it didn’t. Not wanting to be a sad sack, she put on a brave face and laughed as if she was happy to be having a fun night out.
“I passed my exam,” she said.
“But…”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a ‘but’ in there somewhere. I can hear it in the tone of your voice. What’s wrong? Are you having a hard time at the Hempstead’s?” he asked.
“No. Oh, heavens. No. I adore Chadwick and Helen. And Ethel is such a dear. I’m so pleased to have such a loving, welcoming place to live while I take stock of my life and get back on my feet. I have a chance to get the mess my life has become straightened out and make Nina legally mine.”
She could see she’d shocked him.
“You mean she’s not yours?”
“She’s not legally mine. Yet.” Gabriella said, taking a sip of her wine—a mild blush that went down smoothly and gave her a chance to collect her thoughts.
The waitress approached, took their dinner order and left. Dennis took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Go on,” he said, smiling encouragingly. “What do you mean Nina isn’t yours?”
Heaving a heavy sigh, she squeezed his hand back and let go.
“My sister and her husband died in a car crash over Thanksgiving. Nina was at the babysitters. With no other family to care for her, I stepped in and plan to adopt her.”
She didn’t tell him about Charles. Past history was better left alone.
“It’s been hard dealing with my sister’s death on top of missing my entire family during the holidays. It’s very comforting being at the Hempstead’s.”
“It didn’t help when Jennifer showed her claws the other night, did it? I’m really sorry for my own actions.”
“No it didn’t help, but then she probably won’t be the l
ast person to think of me as an unwed mother. As long as I know the truth, it doesn’t bother me. And there’s no need to apologize for her. If she had apologized, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been as heartfelt or sincere as yours and Chad’s apology.”
“Chad? Chad apologized? Does he know about Nina?”
Their meal delivered, Gabriella took a forkful of shrimp scampi, enjoying the lemon-garlic flavor, ignoring his questions. She took a sip of wine, set her glass down, and looked across the table at Dennis.
“It’s not a secret. The truth of the matter is she is my child now. Why would he even care?”
“Why indeed. Chad’s a good guy, but he’s had a couple of disastrous relationships, and suffice-it-to-say, he doesn’t trust women. He’s discovered most women are only after his money.”
“That explains a lot.”
“What does that mean?”
“He thinks I’m after his money.”
“He does get a little testy when it comes to money.”
“Well, I’m not after him or his money so he can rest easy. I have too many other things on my mind than to get involved in a relationship. Or worry whether or not someone thinks I’m after their money.”
“Sounds like you’ve been hurt in the relationship department, too. My shoulders are yours if you need them.”
Gabriella didn’t want to talk about Charles. Or Chad. Charles didn’t deserve talking about. Besides, it was over and done between them. Still, the hurt, although not as deep as it should be, was still a disappointment. Having someone there when you need them only to discover they weren’t had struck a blow.
As for Chad? Well, she hadn’t figured out what he was all about yet. She wasn’t sure if she even wanted to know the real Chadwick Michael Hempstead Jr.
****
The morning after her dinner with Dennis, six-inches of fresh snow blanketed the ground. Gabriella sat next to the fire having tea with Helen after her physical therapy when Chad joined them. He made himself comfortable in a chair next to her, then helped himself to one of Ethel’s coffee cake muffins.
