“Better that than contributing to your ‘maverick’ identity. I appreciate your advice.”
He arched a brow. “But you’re not going to take it, are you?”
She swallowed, her mouth dry. “I don’t know.” She checked for evidence of Mrs. Colonna then hugged him before racing to her car.
Jenny stopped by the Harbor Lights offices but Ashley was out for a late meeting. She jotted a quick note asking her to call when she had time.
Merging onto I-95, she set the cruise control and cranked up the radio. She hoped the music would drown out the warring voices in her head. She knew what she had to do, and she didn’t want anyone—even herself—talking her out of it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Jen, I’m sorry I didn’t return your call last night. I got in late. Did you get my birthday card?” Ashley asked.
“I did, thanks.”
“What were you doing in Boston yesterday?”
“I had some personal stuff to deal with. Last minute trip.” Jenny poured her morning cup of coffee and sat at the table. “I’ll take the Los Angeles job.” Jenny waited for response.
“You’re sure?” Ashley sounded hesitant.
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it. Sooner, the better.”
“You’re awfully eager to get out of town. What’s really going on? Is this about Patrick?”
Jenny closed her eyes for a moment and bit her lip. “Some things have happened. I don’t want to talk about it right now, but things have changed.”
After a moment’s pause, Ashley asked, “You slept with him, didn’t you?”
Jenny groaned. “Oh, God. It was a mistake.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes. And I’m sure about taking the L.A. job. It’s a great career move. What’s the next step?”
“You’ll need to come to Boston week after next for a meeting with me and Edgar. We’ll go over the details and then you and I will fly out to L.A. to secure office space and do some interviews for staff.”
“Great.” The closing of a car door sounded outside the cottage. “Someone’s here. Can I call you back later?”
“Sure. I’ll be home this evening.”
Jenny opened the door to face Patrick. “Hi. Are you okay?”
His face drained of color, and his breath hitched as he spoke. “I got a call from the rehab center early this morning. My father had another stroke. He’s in a coma.”
“Oh, no.” She reached for him. Jenny held him until he pulled away. “Come inside and sit down.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go.” He settled on the sofa.
She sat at his side and clasped his hand. “Why didn’t you call me? I’d have gone with you.”
He stared hard at her. “I couldn’t put you through that. I sat with him for four hours.” He dragged his hands over his face. “I wish this would end for his sake. The doctor says he could stay like this for weeks or months. They just don’t know.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I have to fly down to Grand Cayman in a few days to sign some papers. I’m selling my part of the charter business to my partner, Tucker. I can’t take Kari with me because she has an ear infection and can’t fly. And my aunt and uncle are leaving for a cruise, and I can’t leave her with Jack.”
Without hesitation Jenny said, “I’ll keep Kari.”
“No, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I want to. She’s gotten to know me a little since she’s been back here with you. Bring her over for dinner tonight and let me spend more time with her. I think she’ll be fine.”
Patrick exhaled and his shoulder’s sagged with relief. “Thanks. I’ll only be gone for three days. I need to get my business settled so I can come back here and deal with Dad’s business. Looks like it’s the end of an era for Doyle Charters.”
Jenny squeezed his hand. “New beginnings aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.”
He nodded then gazed at her. “Some are.”
She released his hand. They would have to talk about what happened between them, but now was not the time. “Come for dinner around five-thirty. I’ll make something kid-friendly for Kari. I’m sure she and I will be fine for a few days.”
Patrick stood wearily. “Thank you. Tucker has an investor who’s eager to buy in to our business there, and I didn’t want him to lose that opportunity if he had to wait for me. We could go out to eat so you won’t have to cook.”
“I love to cook. And if Kari’s not feeling well, she’ll be more comfortable here than in a noisy restaurant. Cooper used to—” She paused. “Cooper used to get ear infections at that age. He always wanted to lay with his ear on a heating pad on my lap. And he only wanted chicken noodle soup. Does Kari like soup?”
Patrick stared at her. “Yes, she does. Jenny—”
She swallowed hard. “I’m fine. My son is gone. I have to live with that fact. Does it still hurt to think of him? Yes, it does. But it’s also wonderful to remember him. Cooper will always be with me, in my heart. He can’t ever be replaced, but that doesn’t mean I can’t care about another child.”
He nodded. “Thanks.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll see you later.”
The tenderness nearly unraveled her. She pulled back and reached around him to open the door. Doubt flooded her mind as she watched him climb into his truck. But offering to look after Kari was an act of friendship, nothing more, she told herself as she closed the door.
****
Kari was talkative during dinner, despite her ear infection and slight fever. She followed ‘Zenny’ around while Patrick pretended to be occupied at Jenny’s computer. When Patrick told Kari he had to go away for a few days and that she would stay with Jenny, the child grew silent.
Patrick pulled her onto his lap. “I’ll be back before you know it. And you like being with Jenny, don’t you?”
“No. You stay.” Kari stuffed a thumb into her mouth and turned her face into Patrick’s chest.
“Honey, I can’t. I have some work to do. And you can’t come with me right now.”
Rather than thrash and wail, the child curled into a ball and sobbed. “No, Daddy.” Her mocha skin flushed.
Patrick looked up at Jenny. “What do I do?”
“She’s afraid.”
“Of you?”
“No. I think she’s afraid you’re leaving…” She mouthed the words, “the way her mother left to work.”
“Oh, God. I used practically the same words.” He rocked his daughter and rubbed her back. “Honey, I’m not going to work like Mama did. I’m coming back in just a couple of days. And I’ll call and talk to you every day.”
“No! I go, too.”
“You can’t. You’re still sick.”
Jenny sat beside them on the sofa. She placed a hand lightly on the child’s leg. “Kari, when I was a little girl, my mom went away, too. And my daddy and I moved here, to this house, with my grandma and grandpa.”
The child stopped crying and glanced back at Jenny through moist, hooded eyes.
Jenny continued, “Sometimes my daddy had to go out to work for a couple of days, and he left me here with my grandma. The first time he did that, I was so afraid he wouldn’t come back because my mom went away and she didn’t come back.”
Kari turned in her father’s lap to more fully face Jenny.
Smiling, Jenny said, “But he came back. And he brought me a great present. A big stuffed whale that I still have in my bedroom. You want to see it?”
The little girl nodded and wriggled down from her father’s lap. Patrick snatched a tissue from the box on the table. “Hold on. Let’s wipe your nose first.”
Jenny extended a hand to the child. “Let’s go see Shamu. I named him for the whale at Sea World. Do you know where that is?”
Kari clutched Jenny’s hand and shook her head. Jenny glanced back over her shoulder at Patrick and winked.
In her bedroom, Jenny lifted Kari onto the bed then presented her with the stuffed whale that was at least half her size and worn by years of affection. Kari clutched the whale and listened while Jenny made up a story about the whale being brought home to live with Jenny where he was loved and cared for. Within minutes, the little girl had settled onto the pillow and fallen asleep. Jenny covered her with a blanket and returned to the living room.
“She’s sound asleep.”
Patrick exhaled heavily. “Thank you. I never thought about her being afraid that I would leave for good. Jaclyn’s mother told me that Kari was harder to handle when I’d leave, but I never put two and two together. Maybe I should cancel the trip, have Tucker send me the papers to sign here. But I need to meet with my attorney down there to finalize full custody of Kari. And I can’t do that via email.”
“She’s going to be fine. If she starts to miss you too much, I’ll call and she can hear your voice. Or we can Skype so she can see you. It might be easier on Kari if I stay at your place with her.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all. At least she’ll be in familiar surroundings.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Jen.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
Jenny pulled back. “Patrick, when you get back, we need to talk. You need to understand this isn’t about us. It’s what a friend would do.” She stood abruptly. “Do you want coffee? We should probably let Kari nap for a bit before you wake her to take her home.”
He glanced at his watch. “I was hoping to check in on my dad. Do you think she’ll sleep for an hour or so?”
“Probably. You go ahead.”
“I know they’ll call me if there’s any significant change, but I worry that he can’t speak up for himself. I like to make sure he’s clean and comfortable.”
“And while you’re away, I’ll check on him a few times a day. Now, go see him. Kari will be fine here.”
After Patrick left, Jenny cleaned up the kitchen, then tiptoed back into the bedroom. Kari hugged the stuffed whale to her and slept. Jenny remembered Cooper, curled in that same position with ‘Sami’, as he had called the whale. At Kari’s age, Cooper had difficulty pronouncing ‘sh’ sounds. Emotion clogged Jenny’s throat. She bent and kissed the child’s temple then returned to the living room.
A part of her looked forward to having a child in the house again, if only for a few days. She wondered how much of that had to do with the fact that this child was Patrick’s daughter.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jenny dragged her suitcase from the back of the SUV. Patrick came down the steps and took it from her. “Let me get that. You should know Kari is not having a good day. She watched me pack for the trip and hasn’t spoken to me since. Maybe I should wait.”
Smiling, Jenny said, “You are such a pushover. I’ll bet you bargained, apologized, and promised her the world.”
“Uh…yeah. I shouldn’t do that?”
“This trip might be rough for her, but when you come back, she’ll know that you’re as good as your word. The next time will be easier.”
Patrick held the door for her to enter and then set her bag down. “There won’t be a next time. After this trip, I’m not leaving her until she’s twenty-one.”
Jenny laughed. “Where is she?”
“She climbed into the bathtub with that doll you gave her for Christmas. She refuses to come out.”
“Then you go in. Sit on the edge of the tub and talk to her. Kiss the doll goodbye and tell her you’ll see her in a few days. Then kiss Kari and ask her to… What did she name her doll?”
“She calls her Baby Zenny. She named her for you.”
Jenny’s heart lurched. “Well, tell her to take good care of Baby Zenny until you get home. That will help her feel more grown up and give her something to do for you, and she’ll be occupied.”
“You’re smart. You know that?”
“I was a little girl once without a mother. And my dad had to travel, too, remember. It doesn’t mean she won’t still miss you.”
Patrick dragged his fingers through his hair. “Wish me luck. I’m going in.” He headed up the stairs.
Jenny wandered around the downstairs, remembering childhood days spent in this house. She stepped into the kitchen and had a flashback to Laura Doyle making hot cocoa for Jenny and Patrick. Life had been so simple. Then Jenny’s father was killed by a hit and run driver, and a few years later, Laura was diagnosed with cancer that claimed her life.
Patrick walked into the kitchen with Kari in his arms. “Kari promised to keep an eye on you while I’m away.”
“Oh, she did?” Jenny stretched out her arms, but the child clung to her father. “Okay, not ready to let go yet.
Kari stared at Jenny. “Samu?”
“Did I bring Shamu? No, but you and I can go and get him later if you want.”
Patrick set the child on her feet. “I have to get going.” He stooped down to look into Kari’s face. “You remember what Daddy told you? I’ll call you as soon as I land. And you’ll take care of Baby Zenny and Jenny?”
Kari nodded.
Patrick hugged the child and kissed her cheek. “Be good for Jenny. Daddy loves you, Karina.”
Kari stepped back and pressed her tiny hands to each side of his face, kissed his lips. “Bye, Daddy. Be good.”
Laughing, Patrick said, “I’ll try. You and Jenny be good, too.” He stood and faced Jenny. “Here’s a card with all of my numbers and Kari’s grandmother’s phone number on it. Her local pediatrician is listed, as is the pharmacy. She only has two more doses of medicine, which she hates taking, so you have to make a game of it. The bottle is in the top of the cabinet beside the sink. And there are ear drops there too, if she needs them.”
“You thought of almost everything. One question. Where do I sleep?”
“Oh. Uh…I changed the sheets in the master bedroom. Kari’s in what used to be my room. Hope that’s okay.”
“It’s fine. Now, go. You don’t want to miss your flight.”
“Right. I’ll call as soon as I land.”
Jenny lifted Kari up and Patrick kissed his daughter’s cheek, sliding next to plant a light kiss on Jenny. The two of them waved until Patrick’s truck was out of sight. Kari dropped her head onto Jenny’s shoulder. “Daddy gone,” she murmured.
“And he’ll be back. In the meantime, you and I are going to have some fun. How about you show me your favorite toys?”
The rest of the first day had its ups and downs. Patrick’s phone call brought a smile to Kari’s face, but she cried herself to sleep, insisting they call him back. Jenny would find her standing by the window staring out at the driveway. When Jenny approached, Kari gave her a questioning look and asked, “Daddy?” It broke Jenny’s heart.
That night as she bathed Kari and then tucked her into bed, the child studied her face. “Story?”
“You want me to read a story? Sure.”
Kari reached to the nightstand beside her toddler bed and handed Jenny a copy of The Rainbow Fish. Jenny froze. Cooper’s favorite story. Jenny had read it to him over and over when he was Kari’s age. She swallowed the emotion in her throat and flipped the book open.
Jenny woke some time later in the glow of the bedside lamp. Kari was snuggled against her chest, snoring softly. Reaching out, she turned off the light and settled back into the narrow bed with the child. The small, warm body pressed back into hers. Dark curls tickled her cheek. She dropped her arm around Kari and held her close, her heart aching with memories.
Jenny wakened to small hands patting her cheeks and a little voice calling, “Zenny.”
“Hmmm? Oh, Kari.” Jenny blinked and sat up. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
“Go potty.”
“Okay. Let’s go.” She hit the ground running and, by the time for Kari’s mid-afternoon nap, remembered how exhausting an active three-year-old could be.
Jenny was breathless when she answered Patrick’s call. “Hello.”
“Jen, everything okay there?”
“Everything’s fine. Kari’s taking a nap. I’m thinking of joining her.”
He laughed. “Got you running, huh? I guess she’s feeling better now.”
“Oh, yeah. No fever. How are things going there?”
“Great. One more meeting with the attorney tomorrow, and then I’ll be heading home. I’ll call a little later to talk with Kari. Don’t let her run you ragged.”
“I’ll do my best. I checked in on your dad earlier. He’s the same.”
“I called. The nurse told me you’d been there. Thanks for doing that.”
“No problem. See you soon.”
****
The following afternoon, Jenny was carrying a load of wash to the laundry when the doorbell rang. She set down the basket and opened the door. A tall, brown-skinned woman stared down at Jenny.
“May I help you?”
“I’m looking for Patrick Doyle.”
“He’s not here.”
The woman looked over her head and into the house. “Where is my daughter?”
“You’re daugh—?”
Kari raced across the room and slipped past Jenny. “Mama!” She launched herself into the woman’s arms.
“You’re Kari’s mother?” Jenny asked.
“Jaclyn.” She stepped inside, set Kari on her feet, and tugged on the hem of a barely-there skirt to straighten it. “Where is Patrick?”
“Uh… He’s on his way back from Grand Cayman.”
“Are you the nanny?”
“No. I’m…uh… Please, sit down. Would you like something to drink? Coffee or…”
Jaclyn waved a hand. “Nothing. I drove up here from New York to spend time with Karina for a few days.” The woman spoke with an accent difficult to pinpoint. Partly British, but not quite. Jenny assumed it was an island accent.
A few days? “Patrick didn’t mention—”
“I didn’t think I needed his permission…or yours.”
Heat built in Jenny’s chest. This woman was overbearing and rude, and she was the one who had walked away from her daughter. Now she waltzed back in as if it were perfectly normal. It wasn’t Jenny’s place, however, to call her out on it. “I think I should call Patrick and let him know you’re here.”
Act of Contrition Page 16
