WITH THANKSGIVING OUT OF THE way, Christmas and Isabelle’s birthday were quickly approaching and Kayla’s to do list was two miles long. Going over her to do list inside her head, Kayla stood at the wide bay window inside Richmond’s family room, gazing out at the marsh. Gosh, she’d known Richmond for four months now, and they’d been going strong since the first day they’d met. He trusted her so much, he’d insisted she plan Isabelle’s birthday party.
Isabelle wanted a party based on the “Frozen” movie theme. Kayla had watched the movie so much with Isabelle and CJ, she now knew the words to the songs by heart. When she’d called Richmond earlier to ask if he was okay with the “Frozen” theme, he’d said yes and had jumped off the phone quicker than she could blink her eyes, making her wonder what was so urgent to cause him to hang up so quickly. Maybe someone came inside his office.
What a privilege it was to be able to enjoy a view such as this one every day. A man standing inside a boat on the marsh positioned a fishing pole over his shoulder, then threw the line into the water. Needing some fresh air to clear her mind about the way Richmond had been so distraught over the last few days, Kayla pulled open the door off the deck and walked outside.
Ever since Richmond had received that phone call the day they went shopping for Isabelle’s birthday present, from time to time he seemed like he had a lot on his mind. One moment he’d be just as happy as happy could be, then the next moment he’d seem so cold and distant.
The afternoon air bristled her face. Birds flapped their wings over the marsh then started flying towards the river.
“Kayla! Kayla!” At the sound of Richmond’s shouting voice, she whirled and darted back inside the house. “Isabelle! Kayla! CJ!” Oh, Lordy what’s wrong? Heart thumping in her throat, scared out of her mind, she scurried towards the living room.
Reaching the staircase, she spotted Isabelle and CJ running down the stairs. Terrified by the sound of Richmond’s voice, she rushed inside the living room with the children by her sides to find him grinning with a big Christmas tree over his shoulder. “Where do you think I should put this?”
Trying to calm her nerves, Kayla placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart and pointed. “Put it in front of the window.”
Isabelle and CJ excitedly jumped up and down. Isabelle asked, “Daddy! Daddy! When is Santa coming?”
Richmond responded in a hearty tone, “In a few weeks. What do you want for Christmas, Isabelle?”
Isabelle’s face brightened as she shot her finger in the air. “A mommy!”
Richmond’s lips set in a tight, straight line. “Why don’t you make another Christmas wish, Pumpkin.”
Isabelle put her hands on her hips. “How come?”
Richmond placed the tree in front of the window, then squatted. Patting his thigh, he said, “Come here, Pumpkin.” When Isabelle reached him, he picked her up and placed her on his leg. “You already have a mother. She’s in Heaven. Besides, Santa probably can’t find you another mother.”
Isabelle cupped Richmond’s cheeks and put her forehead to his. “Can’t Ms. Kayla be my mommy?”
CJ’s low giggles filled the room. “Isabelle said Santa Claus gon’ bring me a daddy. Mommy, do I still have a daddy?”
Ohlordyjesus. “Of course you still have a daddy, CJ.” He’s just a pitiful excuse for a daddy.
Richmond broke the silence in the room. “All right. All right. Enough of this mommy and daddy stuff. Ask Santa to bring you some toys or something. Anybody in the mood for decorating the tree?” He pushed to his feet.
“I am!” Isabelle shrieked.
“Me, too!” CJ shouted.
Isabelle asked, “Daddy, can Killer come help decorate the tree, too? I think he’s tired of living in Mommy’s room.”
Richmond’s heartfelt chuckle bounced off the walls inside the living room. “Of course he can.”
Kayla ran her hand through her hair. Isabelle wants me to be her mother. Geez. Kids ask the darndest things sometimes. “Where are the decorations?”
“Outside in the truck. I bought some new ones. I’ll be right back.”
In the mood for some holiday music, Kayla pulled out her cell phone to download some jamming tunes. Just as she clicked a tune from Beyonce, her cell buzzed in her hand. Perfect timing, she thought, noticing it was Carson. “Hello.”
“When can I see CJ?” Carson blurted.
Wanting to prevent the children from hearing her conversation, she strolled toward the hallway by the kitchen. “You can see him anytime you want, Carson. You know that.”
“Yeah. Yeah. That’s what you say, but as soon as I’m a little late with my payments, you get all mad and get an attitude.”
Putting her fist on her hip, Kayla rolled her eyes. “I’d think you’d understand my frustration when you’re late with the payments for CJ. Providing a roof for CJ, clothing, health insurance, and food isn’t easy on my salary alone.”
“Well, things should be easier for you now that you’re dating a millionaire.” Kayla’s mouth flew open. Shocked that he knew about her and Richmond, she momentarily couldn’t speak. “Didn’t think I knew about the two of you, did you? You should read the tabloids.” Silence. Nothing. There’s a picture of Richmond and me in the tabloids? Ohgodno. Hating attention, she didn’t like it one bit. “Hello. Hello.”
“I’m here.” So that’s why he all of a sudden wanted to see CJ. He wanted to come check out the new man in her life. Carson was more pathetic than she’d imagined. “So when would you like to come see him?”
“How about next Saturday?” her ex-husband suggested.
Next Saturday? Isabelle’s birthday party was next Saturday. Carson’s timing for wanting to come visit CJ couldn’t have been more inconvenient. But because the two of them hadn’t seen each other in so long, she wasn’t going to deny her son the opportunity to spend quality time with his father. Kayla struggled to maintain her curtness as she confirmed, “Sure. Next Saturday is fine.”
“Let me speak to my son,” he demanded rudely.
She gritted her teeth. “Couldn’t you ask instead of demanding?”
“Will you please just put CJ on the phone, Kayla? I don’t have time for games.”
“Hold on.” Tempted to hang up in Carson’s face, Kayla shouted for CJ over her shoulder, and he came running to her. Knowing how much CJ would love to speak with Carson, she smiled down at him. “Your daddy wants to talk to you, okay?” She handed the phone to CJ.
Putting the phone to his ear, CJ shrugged. “But I thought I didn’t have a daddy anymore?”
Kayla gasped. Oh Lordy! Carson’s going to swear I taught him to think and say that. Forget what he thinks. If he came around like he was supposed to, then CJ would know he was his father.
Marrying the Millionaire Page 36
