by Tina Martin
Felicity pulled up the website for Piedmont Investigations then read the reviews and testimonials from an impressive list of satisfied clients, one of which was a business she recognized – St. Claire Architects. Instead of calling Tucker back right away, she called Regal. She would take the time to do her homework this time.
She listened as the phone rang and grew anxious with each passing ring. She should’ve been used to Regal by now but he always gave her butterflies – ones she tried to avoid.
“Hello, beautiful,” he answered.
Ignoring his compliment, she said, “Regal, are you familiar with a company called Piedmont Investigations?”
“I said hello, and you didn’t say anything.”
“Oh. Sorry. Hello.”
“That’s better, and yes I know Piedmont. They’ve done some work for us. Why do you ask?”
“Someone called me from there to say he could help me find my daughter.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I spoke with a guy named Tucker who said that moron Donald turned over my information to him.”
“Yeah, we know Tucker around here. He’s a good guy. I can vouch for him.”
“Should I call him back?”
“Yes, you should. He’ll do a better job than Donald McConnell. That’s for sure.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Yes. You can stop calling me beautiful.”
“I could, and maybe I will if you would stop being beautiful but I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Regal, you can’t be talking to women like this when you’re already scheduled for a date with the woman who may become your wife.”
“I’m not talking to just any woman. I’m talking to you.”
“You can’t talk to me like that either.”
He laughed.
“Bye, Regal.”
“Wait, don’t hang up.”
“I gotta go. I have to call Tucker back.”
“So, me vouching for him is enough for you to call him back?”
“Yes.”
“Good. That means you trust me.”
“I trust your professional judgment. Yes.”
“Just say you trust me, girl.”
“Bye, Regal and I’m hanging up this time,” she told him then she immediately called Tucker back. When he answered the phone, she said, “Hi, Mr. Harlow.”
“Ms. James, I’m glad you called me back. I went through the files from your previous investigator and following that trail, I was able to confirm that your daughter is still in Charlotte so Mr. McConnell was telling the truth about that.”
“He said she was with a family in Ballantyne.”
“That’s where the investigation seems fudged. Your daughter wasn’t adopted by a family in Ballantyne. She wasn’t adopted at all. She’s in a foster home.”
Tears came to Felicity’s eyes at the news.
“Are you there Ms. James?”
“Yes. I’m here,” she said with a weak, sad voice.
“I know it’s difficult to hear, but this is a better outcome for you. If your daughter had been adopted, I doubt if you would be able to get her back so while it may be a tough pill to swallow, it’s the best option under the circumstances.”
“Right,” she said drying her eyes. “You’re right.”
“I’m working now to get you an interview with the county since you would have to adopt her, even though you’re the birth mother. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. Take some deep breaths, Ms. James. I know you want to get her back but it’s going to be a journey.”
“Okay. I appreciate your work on this.”
“You’re welcome.”
Felicity hung up the phone and dropped her head, willing herself not to cry. It’ll be different this time, Felicity. You’ll find her. You have to.
Chapter 19
A spring barbecue was enough to relax everyone on a seventy-degree day in April. The family had all gathered at Royal’s house and was sitting at tables on the patio in his expansive backyard with a variety of foods to choose from – hotdogs, steaks, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad and macaroni and cheese.
For Regal, this was heaven. He had all the food he wanted. And he had her here, too – Felicity. She was, sitting with the other women like she was already a part of the family. He was standing at the grill with his brothers, Ramsey, Royal and Romulus. The women – Felicity, Gianna, Gemma and Siderra were sitting at a table where they had already started eating and adoring Rianne.
Regal watched Felicity bite a hotdog and looked on like watching her eat was a thing of beauty. The way she bit it, then chewed made him want a hotdog.
“I think we’re going to hold off moving to Lake Norman until the baby arrives,” Romulus said.
“I didn’t think you were serious about moving from your Ballantyne mansion, anyway,” Royal said.
“Derra wants to be close to family with the baby and all, and in the words of Ramsey, whatever the lady wants, the lady gets.”
Ramsey nodded. “Here, here,” he said, then took a swig of beer. “But I agree with you—there’s no need to rush it.”
Royal drank some of his beer, then looked over at Rianne. “Man, I can’t believe she’s walking already.”
“Yeah—let Regal tell it and he’s the reason she’s walking, ain’t that right Regal?”
When Regal didn’t respond the brothers looked at him to find him in a staring match with Felicity.
Ramsey chuckled. “Regal, if you stare any longer, you’re going to bore a hole through her.”
Regal looked at his brothers. “What are y’all married men talking about?”
“We’re talking about you eye-stalking Felicity again.”
Regal laughed it off. “I can’t help myself.”
“How is she doing with the situation?” Ramsey asked.
Romulus dipped his head back. “What situation?”
“I don’t think it’s a secret anymore,” Regal said, “Especially considering she’ll need us to rally around her for support. Felicity has a daughter that she gave up for adoption and she’s trying to get her back.”
“Wow…didn’t see that one coming,” Romulus said.
“Me either,” Regal commented.
“Gemma mentioned something to me about it,” Royal said. “How do you feel about it, Regal? Are you cool with it?”
Regal nodded, watching Felicity as she sipped her drink. “I’m cool with it, but she doesn’t know that yet.”
* * *
“I feel so bad for keeping my daughter a secret from y’all but I’m ready to face it head on now.”
“You’ve been looking for her?” Gemma asked.
“I have. I have to. I feel like a part of me has been missing and without that missing piece, I will never feel whole.”
Gianna nodded as she held on to a giggly Rianne.
“Da-da,” Rianne said, trying with all her might to get out of her mother’s lap.
“Where are you going, lil’ girl?” Gianna asked.
“Da-da,” Rianne said, still moving and squirming.
“You can let her come over here, baby,” Ramsey called out from across the yard. “I got her.”
“Okay,” Gianna said letting Rianne go. The little girl’s frustration turned into laughter and happiness as she waddled over to her father. “She’s such a daddy’s girl. Ramsey spoils her so much.”
“When you’re that cute, you can’t help but spoil the baby,” Gemma said.
“And that’s what I miss,” Felicity said. “I miss being there and seeing my daughter grow up.”
“You’ll get her back, Felicity,” Gemma told her. “You’re one of the strongest women I know.”
“You have to be strong when you depend on yourself for so much,” Felicity said.
Gianna nodded. She could relate to that, especially sin
ce she had to practically raise her sister while their mother was in and out of their lives.
Siderra had just finished up a bowl of macaroni and cheese when she said, “I’ve been sitting over here minding my business but I’ve noticed something.”
“What’s that, Derra?” Gemma asked.
“Regal is having a rather difficult time trying to take his eyes off of somebody over here.”
Felicity immediately blushed. “Oh, stop it, Derra.”
“She ain’t lyin’,” Gemma said. “I saw him staring, too.”
“Everybody knows he likes you, Felicity,” Gianna said.
“He doesn’t like me like that.”
“If he doesn’t like you, I’m not pregnant,” Siderra joked.
The women laughed.
“Okay, ladies, he’s a friend, okay. Can you accept that?”
“Nope,” Gemma said. “As I recall, you used to want to run him over with your car. Now, all of a sudden, he’s a friend.”
They laughed again, but the elation fell from Felicity’s face when she saw Regal heading in their direction. He was like a magnet that drew her attention and held it. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He had on a black, long-sleeved shirt, a pair of khakis and what looked to be a pair of Gucci loafers. As he approached the table, he asked, “Y’all talking about me again?” His eyes remained focused on Felicity.
“No. We were just having some girl talk, Regal,” Gemma said.
“Sure you were, peanut,” Regal responded. Then, still looking at Felicity, he asked, “Can I borrow you for a minute?”
“Oh snap…he wants to borrow you,” Siderra said waggling her brows.
The women grinned and cackled.
“You guys are silly,” Felicity said standing. She picked up her drink and followed Regal around the house until they were in the front yard. It was the time of day when afternoon crossed over into evening—when the coolness of a spring night was due to set in. They sat on the steps that led up to the front porch.
“So…” he said.
“So…” she repeated.
He looked to his right and saw a smile on her face that matched his.
“Did you call Tucker back?” he asked.
“Yes. He sounds like he knows what he’s doing.”
“He does. He’s a good guy.”
Felicity nodded. “He told me Donald lied about my daughter being adopted. She’s in a foster home.”
“Oh. How do you feel about that?”
“It was hard for me to take. You hear so many horror stories about foster homes, yet, I’m a horrible mother so what grounds do I have to complain about a foster system who took my little girl in and gave her a home when I wasn’t capable of doing so?”
“You’re not a horrible mother, Felicity.”
“I feel like one.” She sipped her drink.
“People make mistakes and choices in life that they later regret. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It just means you’re living—trying to navigate through this life like everybody else.”
She nodded.
“And now that I think about it, it’s probably a good thing she’s in a foster home. Had she been adopted, you would’ve had to battle for custody or visitation.”
“That’s the same thing Tucker said.”
Regal finished his beer. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask—what’s her name? Or maybe the question should be, did you get to name her when she was born?”
Felicity nodded. “I did…only thing I’ve ever done for her.” She smiled then said, “Her name is Rayne.”
“You’re kidding,” Regal said. It’s the very name he teased Felicity about at Gianna’s baby shower. When Gianna played a game of, name my baby, Felicity had suggested Rayne. “Her name is really Rayne?”
“Yes. And that’s R-A-Y-N-E.”
“Now I feel bad about teasing you at Gianna’s baby shower.”
Her mouth turned up in the corner. “No, you don’t.”
“I do,” he said, taking her hand into his easily like it came natural to him.
She didn’t try to pull it away. It hadn’t crossed her mind to.
“I didn’t know that name had sentimental value to you. I apologize.”
“Oh, quit it. It’s fine. I wonder if they changed her name.”
“I doubt it,” Regal said. He was steadily toying with her fingers. “Why would they?”
“I don’t know. I have so many thoughts running through my head. This is just one of many where she’s concerned.” She sighed.
“Stop stressing yourself out.”
“Easier said than done.”
“You need to do something about it. Otherwise, you’re going to find yourself sick.”
“If I’m not sick already, I doubt if I will be.”
Regal released her hand then stood up and stretched. “What are your plans for the evening?”
“I don’t have any.”
“What do you say we go to my place for coffee?”
“Coffee, Regal? You’re trying to lure me to your house with coffee promises?”
He chuckled. “Yes. Go tell your girls you’re leaving.”
“Regal, I—”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. One way to relieve yourself of stress is by talking about it.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but—”
“Tell your girls you’re leaving,” he said slowly, cutting her off again.
“Okay. Fine. Be right back.”
Chapter 20
She’d driven to Royal’s house for the barbecue and so she drove to Regal’s house too, following him there. It was only a few miles down the street. When she saw his home, her mouth fell open. She parked and got out of the car.
“This is your house?”
“Yes. This is my house.” Felicity took in the massive two-level brick home with a three-car garage. It looked elegant and classy – like houses people dreamed about living in but knew they could never afford. For a man like Regal, this was an everyday thing.
“Come on. Let’s go inside.”
“For coffee, right?”
His eyes twinkled. “Yes. Coffee.”
Still in awe of his place, she didn’t move. Regal took her by the hand and led her toward the house. He keyed in a code to get in through the front and upon entering, she was greeted by an elegant spiral staircase and an abundance of windows.
“Wow. Amazing.”
“Would you like a tour?”
“Um…no. Just coffee,” she said, following him to the kitchen. He removed some pods for the Keurig and two mugs.
While he worked, Felicity looked all around the kitchen. The center island was about the size of a full-sized bed with pots and pans hanging from a rack above it. All the countertops were a mixture of gray, beige and brown granite. The cabinetry was impeccable. The stainless steel refrigerator had a built-in TV, and the range looked like something that belonged in a high-end restaurant.
“You live here alone?”
“Yes,” he said placing a cup of fresh coffee in front of her while his was still brewing.
“How many bedrooms?”
“Technically, there’s four, but there’s an additional room that I’m not doing anything with at the moment. It could be classified as a fifth.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t turn it into a home gym or something.”
“I already have a home gym.”
“My goodness. I’d get lost in here.” She took a sip of coffee.
“You wouldn’t. You’d fit in here just fine.”
Felicity choked mid swallow at his comment.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” she said, then cleared her throat for a final time.
Regal sat at the table next to her and asked, “You good?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
He drank coffee. “So, what’s next?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, feeling nervous all of a sudden. Maybe it was
the fact that she was in his house or that he was looking at her with eyes that seemed to peer right through her soul. Or it could’ve been the fact that she could see those muscles bulging beneath his shirt.
“With your daughter? What’s next?”
“Oh. I thought you were talking about Danella.”
“No, and actually, let’s not talk about Danella. I want to talk about you and Rayne.”
Felicity looked at him hard, staring and trying to see if the playful side of him was hiding somewhere beneath the surface, waiting to come out. It wasn’t. He was serious and sincerely interested in her and her daughter.
“Regal, I appreciate your interest and concern, but I can handle the situation with my daughter.”
“Can you?”
“Yes, I can.”
“I don’t think you can, at least not alone like you’ve been trying to do. We all need a shoulder, woman.”
“Do we?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s your shoulder?”
“I have my brothers. My new in-laws. My parents. You, on the other hand—you’re an only child. As far as I know, the only real friends you have is Gianna, Gemma and Derra. Am I right?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then here I am. Your shoulder.”
“I appreciate the gesture, Regal, but you’re my client.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“It matters to me. I don’t want to risk the integrity of my company by getting too close to a client.”
“We were friends first.”
“Not exactly.”
He grinned. “You’re going to sit in my house, drink my coffee and pretend were aren’t friends?”
“How does calling someone a plethora of unwanted nicknames make you their friend?”
“Easy. Even now you can’t stop smiling.” Regal sipped coffee. Watched her.
“Tucker is trying to get an interview going with social services to determine what the next steps would be.”
“Good.” Regal stared into his cup for a moment. “Let me ask you something—do you ever think about your parents?”
“All the time. I mean, after all, they are my parents,” she said.
“It’s far beyond my comprehension for you to not have a relationship with them, especially your mother.”
