The Miracle Wife (Harlequin Romance)

by Leclaire, Day

  “Mrs. Cruxley put a bottle of Chardonnay in the refrigerator. We’ll start with that. River, what would you like, sweetheart?”

  “Orange juice, please.”

  “Coming right up.” The waitress glanced at J.J. “Would you care for anything besides the wine, Ms....” She arched a questioning eyebrow.

  “Randell. And no. The wine will be fine, thanks.”

  “Right. I’ll bring it along with the menus in just a sec.” With a quick smile the waitress hastened back in the direction of the kitchen.

  The moment she’d left, River clasped her hands together, trembling with excitement. “Okay, I’m ready to wish,” she said, clearly unable to wait any longer to make her big announcement.

  J.J. and Raven exchanged quick, uneasy glances. “Remember, it has to be something I can do,” she warned.

  “I ’member.” She closed her eyes and whispered, “I wish... I wish you would be my mommy for our vacation.”

  Glasses rattled overhead and the waitress’s voice cut across River’s. “Oops. Sorry to interrupt. I brought your drinks.”

  “Leave the wine and bring me the bottle of J&B from the wet bar and a glass,” Raven bit out, thrusting a hand through his hair. “I’m gonna need it.”

  “Make that two glasses,” J.J. added.

  He waited until the waitress left before responding. “No way, River. I said it had to be something we could do. And having J.J. for a mother—”

  “A pretend mother,” she clarified. “Just for our vacation. ”

  “Pick something else. How about a new doll or a trip to the zoo or a puppy?”

  “I have a doll and we go to the zoo all the time.” She frowned, interlocking her fingers. “I do want a puppy, but I want Justice more.”

  “Choose the puppy, honey,” Raven advised. “J.J. is not going to be your mother—real, pretend, or otherwise. And that’s final.”

  “But you promised, Daddy! You did.” River leapt to her feet, tears filling her eyes. Skirting the tablecloth, she threw herself into J.J.’s arms. “Didn’t he? Fairies always tell the truth. Tell Daddy he promised.”

  Fairies always tell the truth? J.J. groaned. Just great. One more detail she could thank Jacq for incorporating in her books. “Yes, he did promise. But if you’ll remember the wish had to be something I could do.”

  “Being my mommy for our vacation is something you can do.”

  “Let me guess. It was in the book.”

  “Not the part about being a mommy,” River confessed, obviously trying to be a good little fairy.

  “But being a human for a while was, is that it?”

  The little girl nodded, swiping at the tears with the back of her hand. “That’s how you helped Celia. You got to be a person while she was on vacation. Remember? When your brother kept chasing her?”

  Raven groaned in exasperation. “How many times do I have to tell you that J.J. isn’t a fairy? As for her brother—” His brows drew together. “Wait a minute. What brother?”

  “She means Cord,” J.J. supplied. “He played the troll in Jacq’s third book.”

  That captured his interest. “You’re kidding. Your sister made her own brother into a troll?”

  “He’s one of Jacq’s most popular characters,” she retorted defensively. “The children love him.”

  “He was very nice when he stopped being bad,” River explained. She slipped from J.J.’s arms into her father’s. “Please, Daddy,” she whispered. “Please let Justice be my mommy for a little while. I’ll be good for ever and ever if you say yes.”

  Raven closed his eyes. “Ah, sweetheart. It’s not because you’re bad,” he assured softly, cradling her close. “You know that.”

  “But I want a mommy more than anything in the whole world.” Her voice was muffled against the front of his shirt. “Even more than a puppy.”

  J.J. felt laughter fighting with tears. How could Raven resist such a plea? For that matter, how could she?

  Raven swallowed convulsively. “I know you do. But isn’t a dad good enough? It’s always been the two of us. You and me. Best buds, remember?”

  “Best buds,” River repeated. “Forever and ever.”

  His jaw tightened. “You still want a mom, though, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” The confession impacted like a blow. “I’ve been wishing and wishing as hard as I can.”

  Raven exhaled harshly, his face drawn into taut lines. “I...I didn’t realize.”

  She peeked up at him. “I’ll still love you best. I promise.”

  He chuckled, a gruff sound that fought a path from deep in his chest. “I know you will.”

  “So can I have her? For my mommy?”

  Before he could say respond, the waitress returned. “Are you folks ready to order lunch?”

  J.J. spared Raven the need to answer. “I think we need another minute,” she said, tilting her head so she could look the woman in the eye instead of addressing her nylons and heels.

  “Sure thing.” The waitress shrugged as though it didn’t matter, but her gaze remained sharply curious. “Holler when you’re ready.”

  J.J. frowned, struck again by an eerie sense of familiarity. She’d never been to Denver before, and yet, she had the distinct impression she knew this woman. “Have we ever—”

  “You’re not from these parts, are you, Ms. Randell?” the waitress interrupted smoothly.

  “No, I—” Perhaps it was the way the woman slipped in the question. Or perhaps it was the incongruity of the cheap mud brown dye job and ill-fitting uniform compared to her three-hundred-dollar pumps, silk stockings and manicured hands. More likely it was that hard-eyed stare. J.J. sighed. “No, I’m not from these parts, I’m not pregnant and since when did catering firms hire reporters?”

  “Oops.” The waitress chuckled. “Looks like my cover’s been blown. Thanks for the update, Ms. Randell. Your name alone will be the bonus of a lifetime.” Whipping off her cap and apron, she tossed them aside. “Enjoy your lunch, folks. Sorry I won’t be able to fix it for you. But as Ms. Randell pointed out, I’m a reporter, not a waitress.”

  Raven released his breath in an exasperated sigh. “Ms. Lark. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.”

  The woman offered a pleased smile. “That was the idea. And just so you don’t feel too bad... you were rather preoccupied.”

  “So I was.” He gained his feet. “Seal exits on this floor, Gem,” he ordered.

  “AFFIRMATIVE. LOCK DOWN IN PROGRESS ON EXECUTIVE LEVEL.”

  “Lock down?” The reporter gave the doors exiting the dining area a quick look. A loud click issued from them as the lock snicked home. “Hey! You can’t keep me here,” she protested. “That’s kidnapping or unlawful detainment or something.”

  “I’m arresting you for trespassing. It’s called a citizen’s arrest.” Raven set his daughter on the floor before reaching down to assist J.J. to her feet. “Gem, alert security and the police.”

  “AFFIRMATIVE. CODE RED ALERT. CALL TO POLICE IN PROGRESS.”

  Ms. Lark moistened her lips and tried a friendly smile that didn’t quite match her infuriated glare. “Look... I’m sure we can work out a deal.”

  “You’re right. We can. The deal is that I’m going to have you locked up. With a little cooperation from some people I know, you’ll be released tomorrow morning, by which time your information won’t be worth quite as much.” His slashing grin held even less amusement than the reporter’s. “Thanks for visiting Sierra Consortium. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

  “You won’t get away with this!”

  “Watch me.” Cupping one hand around J.J.’s arm, he captured River with the other and headed for the door. “Gem, has security arrived?”

  “AFFIRMATIVE.”

  “Unlock the door to the executive dining room.” The minute the lock released, a half-dozen beefy security men filled the room. Raven murmured instructions to one of them. With a jerk of his head, he indicated that J.J. and River
should precede him from the room. “We’re leaving.”

  J.J. didn’t argue. After seeing his ruthlessness in dealing with the reporter, she had no desire to be on the receiving end of another demonstration. “I’ll need to get my coat and purse from your office.”

  “Make it fast. I want to get out of here before we pick up any more friends.”

  Leaving Raven issuing instructions to his secretary, J.J. returned to his office with River. While she gathered her possessions, the little girl collected her rag doll.

  “Are you going to give me my wish now?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” J.J. confessed. “We didn’t finish discussing it with your dad.”

  River lifted the doll to her shoulder and patted the cloth back. She peered over the yarn head, the expression in her huge blue eyes surprisingly serene. “You have to give me my wish even if you don’t want to, you know.”

  J.J. paused, her brows drawing together. “Excuse me? I have to?” She didn’t like the sound of that. She knew Raven adored his daughter, but surely he hadn’t spoiled her so thoroughly that she automatically assumed she’d receive anything she wanted. “Why do I have to?”

  “Because it’s a wish,” River explained matter-of factly. “And Gem said birthday wishes always come true. So the wish will make you do it. That’s how wishes work.”

  “The computer told you that?” J.J. couldn’t conceal her astonishment. “Are you sure?”

  “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. PLEASE VACATE PREMISES.”

  J.J.’s frown deepened. “Gem, did you tell River birthday wishes always come true?”

  “AFFIRMATIVE.”

  “Why in the world would you do such a thing?” J.J. demanded in exasperation. “I can’t believe someone programmed you for that.”

  “ASSUMPTION INCORRECT. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DANI COLTER.”

  The name sounded vaguely familiar, but J.J. couldn’t quite place it. “Who’s Dani Colter?”

  “MRS. DANI COLTER, FORMALLY SHERATON. CURRENTLY SPOUSAL UNIT OF NICK COLTER, OWNER OF SSI AND CREATOR OF GEM AND GEMINI UNITS.”

  Oh, right. J.J. recalled Raven mentioning Colter’s name in connection with the computer. “But, Gem. What you’ve told River isn’t accurate. Birthday wishes don’t always come true.”

  Beside her, River caught her breath in a shocked gasp. “No, Justice. You can’t have forgotten that, too. Birthday wishes always come true. Tell her, Gem!”

  “CORRECT. WHEN APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS MET, WISH WILL BE GRANTED.”

  “Oh, for—” J.J. gave up arguing with the computer and stooped beside River. “Honey, it’s wonderful to believe wishes can come true, but—”

  “We did everything you’re supposed to,” River protested. “We did! Tell her, Gem.”

  “AFFIRMATIVE. NECESSARY PROCEDURE FOLLOWED EXACTLY.”

  “There is no procedure,” J.J. retorted in exasperation.

  “INCORRECT. ACCESSING PROCEDURE.”

  “You’re a machine, Gem. How can you possibly—”

  “WISH AVAILABLE ON PRECISE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF FEMALE OFFSPRING UNIT. DATE VERIFIED. REQUIRE DOUBLE-LAYERED TEN-INCH ROUND CONFECTIONERY FOOD ITEM WITH SUGAR COATING AND FLAMMABLE WAX INSERTS. PROVIDED.”

  “Gem, I know all about birthday cakes and candles—”

  “SIX PINK INSERTS PLACED ON CONFECTIONERY FOOD ITEM. FLAMMABLE INSERT SUPPLIED FOR EACH BIRTHDAY. ONE EXTRANEOUS INSERT FOR BIRTHDAY-TO-GROW-ON. PROVIDED. FLAME APPLIED TO EACH INSERT. WISH MADE BEFORE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED. WISH KEPT SECRET FROM OTHER HUMANS. WISH SEQUENCE COMPLETED. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT COMPLIANCE ACCORDED WISHING PRECEPTS.”

  “That’s lovely, Gem. But that doesn’t mean that the wish will come true.”

  “FACTS PROVIDED BY MRS. COLTER. MRS. COLTER HAS LEVEL ONE SECURITY CLEARANCE.”

  “That doesn’t mean she knows what she’s talking about,” J.J. argued.

  “ON BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF MR. COLTER, MRS. COLTER ANNOUNCED THAT BIRTHDAY WISHES ALWAYS COME TRUE. MR. COLTER WISHED FOR SECOND OFFSPRING UNIT, WHICH ESTABLISHES ACCURACY OF STATEMENT.”

  “That’s not proof! That’s basic human repro—” J.J. darted a quick look in River’s direction and amended what she’d been about to say. “It’s a coincidence.”

  “ERROR NUMBER NINE-OH-NINE. ASSERTIONS CONTRARY TO FACTS ON FILE.”

  “That means you’re wrong,” River explained kindly. “I do that error a lot.” She slipped her hand into J.J.’s.

  “Why don’t you believe in birthday wishes? Don’t fairies get them?”

  J.J. sighed. “I really don’t know. Maybe I should call my sister and find out.”

  “Okay.”

  The door opened and Raven gestured to them. “Let’s move.”

  Taking River by the hand, J.J. joined him in the reception area. “Do you know the sort of information Gem is feeding your daughter?”

  Raven stabbed the call button for the elevator. “The computer has been specifically programmed to handle the level of information appropriate for a child of River’s age and intellectual level.”

  “Is that a direct quote from SSI’s sales manual?” she asked dryly. “Or from Gem?”

  For a brief instance his guard dropped and a glorious smile flashed across his face. Good grief, but he was a stunning man when he chose to relax a little. “Caught me.”

  “Yeah, well I have news for you about that manual, not to mention your crazy computer—”

  “ALL ELEVATORS CURRENTLY AT LOBBY LEVEL. WILL ARRIVE IN ONE MINUTE, THIRTY-THREE POINT TWO SECONDS,” Gem interrupted. “LOCK DOWN STILL IN EFFECT ON EXECUTIVE LEVEL. CANCEL RED ALERT, MR. SIERRA?”

  “Yes, Gem. And once the police are ready to leave you can cancel the lock down, as well.”

  “UNDERSTOOD.”

  Before JJ. could continue her conversation about his computer system, he asked, “So, what tipped you off?”

  It took an instant to switch gears. “Oh, you mean with Ms. Lark?”

  “Yes.”

  J.J. shrugged. “Designer nails, three-hundred-dollar shoes and silk stockings seemed wrong for a waitress. I suppose they’re rather pricey for a reporter, too.”

  “If she worked for a reputable paper, you’d probably be right. But I suspect the information she sells keeps her well-heeled.”

  “Nicely put. I’d have noticed the inconsistency sooner except...” She shot River a pointed glance. “I was a bit distracted.” Another concern occurred to her. “How much do you think Ms. Lark overheard?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been trying to remember what we were talking about when she was around. The wish, for sure. Our reaction to it, most likely. Who knows what else. I don’t think security was recording at the time, or I’d have Gem play back the sequence.”

  “The computer records conversations?” J.J. asked, shocked at the idea.

  He must have caught her adverse reaction. “I like to have a transcript for business purposes,” he explained. “I always notify those present so it’s not done without consent. But our lunch wasn’t business.”

  Did Mathias do the same, she couldn’t help but wonder? “I guess that means we have to try to remember what happened when.”

  “Between the two of us we should be able to figure it out.”

  “Well, for one thing, I suspect we blew the rumor about our engagement. We didn’t react to River’s request for a new mommy like your standard happily engaged couple. Nor would she need to wish for one if we were about to tie the knot.”

  “My fault, I’m afraid.”

  J.J. let that pass. His reasons for refusing to remarry were none of her business—no matter how curious she might be. She turned to face him. “Ms. Lark’s going to be annoyed once she’s released from jail.”

  “An understatement if I ever heard one. I think spitting mad is probably closer to it.”

  “Which means she’ll want to get even.”

  “No doubt.”

  “If she figures out we’re not engaged, I guarantee she’ll put the
worst possible spin on whatever she heard.”

  “Yes, Ms. Randell. I’m sure she will.”

  So they were back to formalities again. “Do you think you can keep her quiet for a full day?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Which meant he had political clout. “That gives us time to put out our version first.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  “Where are we going, Daddy?” River interrupted.

  Raven’s mouth tightened. “Someplace more private, where I can guarantee we won’t be overheard. Then we’ll finish talking about your wish.”

  The little girl crowed with excitement. “I’m gonna get my wish!”

  “I didn’t say that. I said we’d talk about it.” The elevator arrived just then. “Direct access to parking garage level one, Gem. No stops,” he ordered as they stepped into the car.

  “AFFIRMATIVE, MR. SIERRA.”

  He leaned against the cloth-covered wall and folded his arms across his chest. “So go on, Ms. Randell. Precisely what version of our little fairy tale do you suggest I feed the papers?”

  J.J. shrugged, wishing he’d volunteered more information about where he planned to take them, as well as what he wanted her to do about his daughter’s latest wish. Unfortunately, with River listening to every word, she didn’t dare ask. “It’s your choice. But whichever version you decide on should cover as many angles as possible. That way any information Ms. Lark attempts to peddle tomorrow will sound like sour grapes.”

  “And you’ll back up my story?”

  She wished she could read his thoughts, understand precisely what he was asking. But they remained shrouded. The man had had a lot of practice at maintaining an impenetrable facade. Too much practice. “Do I have a choice?”

  “No.”

  “Then why ask?”

  The elevator car slowed to a stop and the doors parted, revealing a parking garage. Crossing to a black Mercedes, he opened the door to the back seat and waited while River scrambled in. “Fasten your seat belt,” he instructed before closing the door.