by Sara Orwig
Within an hour they were airborne. She looked below at Austin. Sunlight splashed on the red granite of the state capitol as the plane headed north.
“Does Caroline know we’re coming now?” Ava asked, her pulse leaping when she turned to look into his brown eyes.
“Yes. She won’t come running. You’ll see how subdued she is. When her dad was alive, she wasn’t reserved at all. They were really close and he loved her more than anything.”
“That’s sad that she doesn’t have him now. Was she cooperative with him?”
“Yes. A bright, happy, cheerful little girl. That’s what hurts so badly. She’s drawn into a shell and no one has been able to reach her. It breaks my heart because I know what a sunny disposition she had.”
Since he sounded truly hurt, she was touched again by his concern. If she were going to be with him longer than two days, she would need a more solid barrier around her heart. She looked out the window, trying to think of another subject.
“Do you travel a lot? Will you be around while I’m there?”
“Yes. I’m not going to drop you off and leave,” he replied with a smile. “I’ll take time off from work and be home as much as possible.”
“After I meet Caroline, I’ll need time alone with her, so you go ahead and work tomorrow.”
“I’ll give you time alone. I can stay out of the way. I hope you brought a swimsuit.”
“I did,” she said, feeling tingly at the thought of swimming with Will. “Does she have a schedule for her day?”
“Her schedule is flexible in the summer. Breakfast and then reading and playtime. Sometimes a swim before lunch if she wants to. Lunch, a quiet time of reading—I think she just reads because she doesn’t nap any longer. Then, usually swims again. Our nanny, Rosalyn, is with her all day. I try to be home for dinner and spend the evening with her and put her to bed. If I need to work late or attend a social event, her nanny spends the evening playing with her. Caroline has every kind of toy imaginable and she’s getting amazingly good with computers.”
“I’m sure,” Ava replied, smiling at him. “Her situation sounds challenging, but I have a short list of tutors who come highly recommended. After my assessment, I’ll be able to choose the one who can hopefully work a miracle.”
“I hope so. It’s been a godsend to find you. Every day when I’m with Caroline, this situation tears me up. I owe it to my brother and I love Caroline. I’m praying she can be helped. I think the right person can reach her. I want to hire the best possible person to work with her.”
“We’ll see. These are the most qualified tutors I know. I asked each one if I could put her on my list, so I found out who was available and who wasn’t. At present, all three women are employed, but their service will be ending very shortly and they’ll be free to take on a new challenge.”
“Good. I’ll make it worthwhile for the person I decide will do the most for Caroline.”
“I’m sure of that. What you’re paying me is generous, to say the least.”
“This is worth it.”
She smiled at him. “You’re a good uncle, Will Delaney.”
He leaned closer.
“And you, Ava, have the greatest smile. I’ll see if I can keep you smiling.”
“That isn’t one of the week’s requirements. I’m here about Caroline. Only about Caroline,” she said, her heart racing, something she couldn’t control.
“Maybe I can change your mind on that, too.”
“Too? What else?”
“Let’s see how it goes with Caroline.”
She wondered what he referred to. He surely didn’t want to hire her, because she was not a tutor. When he sat back, her drumming pulse returned to normal.
The flight was quick and a limo was waiting.
As soon as they drove through the gates where he lived, her mounting curiosity about his niece momentarily abated, replaced by fascination with the mansion she glimpsed through the trees as they wound up the drive.
“You have a beautiful estate. This fits the image I had of you much more than the doting uncle you are.”
“I need to change some of your preconceived notions about me. We’ll get to know each other. I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s not on this agenda. I’m here about Caroline and I think that’s the second time already that I’ve reminded you.”
“Relax and lighten up. We can get to know each other while you meet and learn about my niece. One doesn’t rule out the other. They’re both going to happen.”
“You’re not paying any attention to me,” she said.
“Not true at all. I’m paying a great deal of attention to you and I’m slipping, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Will you stop flirting?” she asked, amused and unable to be really annoyed with him over harmless flirting, yet afraid of her volatile reaction to him intensifying.
“Not on this night. Why should I? Flirting is fun, harmless and I like the exchange when I’m with a gorgeous woman. You’re not interested in anything serious and neither am I. We should make a good pair.”
“Thank you for the compliment. And we’re not going to be ‘a pair.’ I think this conversation needs to shift to another topic. Your palatial home is magnificent. You live here with just Caroline and her nanny?” Ava could clearly see the elegant mansion. Sunlight splashed over the gray slate roofs and gave a warm tint to the pale stones.
“We’ll come back to the conversation we were having, but to answer your question—it’s a comfortable house built to suit me. It’s big enough for all of us and my staff. A partial staff is on the third floor.” She turned to watch him, listening and thinking at the same time that she hadn’t had a clear concept of his wealth.
“The head gardener and his staff have homes on my grounds. So does my cook. My chauffeur has a house near the garage.”
She barely heard him as she stared at the sprawling three-story home built in the style of an English country manor surrounded by landscaped grounds and sprinklers watering beds of colorful flowers. More flowers surrounded a large circular three-tiered fountain with sparkling water tumbling over each tier.
“A little girl will be lost in this,” Ava said without realizing she had spoken aloud.
“Caroline’s accustomed to it. The house she lived in with her dad was very similar to mine. I doubt if she gives it a thought.”
“All this wealth, yet you can’t accomplish the one thing you want to do,” she said quietly and he glanced her way.
“You’re right. At least it gives me options on getting help for her. I can’t stop thinking that if I keep trying, I’ll find that perfect person who’ll get her to open up.”
“I hope you do,” she said, touched again by his concern for his niece.
At the front they climbed out of the car to cross the wide porch. The massive door swung open and a butler greeted them. Ava entered a three-story-high walnut-paneled entryway where a huge French Empire chandelier hung overhead.
“Ava, meet Fred Simms. This is Ms. Barton, Fred.”
“Miss Caroline is in the library with Miss Rosalyn,” Fred said after greeting Ava.
Will held Ava’s arm. “This way,” he said. She was as aware of his fingers resting on her forearm as she was of his palatial mansion.
Ava carried two of the books, each in colorful sacks from the bookstore. They entered the library, where a child sat drawing at a table. Her nanny sat nearby, also drawing.
Pausing, Caroline turned to look at them, sliding out of her chair while the nanny came around the table.
“Look who’s here, Caroline,” the nanny said cheerfully.
Ava looked at a beautiful child with long curly black hair, thickly lashed big brown eyes and a facial structure bearing a clear family resemblance to her uncle. She was a feminine version of him.
Caroline gazed solemnly at Will in silence as he picked her up gently to kiss her cheek. “How’s my girl?” he greeted her, smiling. “I want you to me
et someone.” He turned to face Ava.
“Caroline, this is my friend, Miss Ava. She’s a teacher.”
Caroline stared in silence at Ava.
“Ava meet Caroline.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Caroline, and I’m so glad to meet you,” Ava said.
“Ava, this is our nanny, Rosalyn Torrence. Rosalyn, meet Ava Barton.”
“I’m glad to meet you,” Ava said, shaking hands with the nanny. She turned her attention back to Caroline.
“I’ve missed you, sweetie,” Will said in such gentle tones Ava’s heart lurched. “I’m glad to be home. We’ll stay with her now, Rosalyn.”
“Thank you. If you want me, I’ll be upstairs.”
“Thanks,” he replied. As Rosalyn quietly left, he set Caroline on her feet.
Ava held out two of the sacks. “Caroline, I brought you a present.”
Caroline stared at the sacks, eyeing them and making no effort to take them.
“Look at the presents, sweetie,” Will urged
Caroline obediently took the bags and pulled out the first book, looking at it intently. “Thank you,” she whispered so softly Ava barely heard her. She pulled out the second book.
“Thank you,” she whispered again.
“You’re welcome,” Ava said, kneeling so she would be on the same level with Caroline. “I’ll read them to you whenever you want to hear them.”
Caroline nodded, looking at Will.
“You can whenever you want,” he said. “I’ll get out of the way. Want to read them now?”
Caroline shook her head no.
“I’ll go unpack then,” Ava said far more cheerfully than she felt. She was not a child psychiatrist, but it seemed to her that Will had just as big a problem as he had described. The child seemed remote, cold and unresponsive, as if she wanted to shut herself away from all human contact.
“I’ll stay with Caroline, but first,” he said, picking up Caroline again. “Let’s go show Miss Ava where she will be sleeping.”
Upstairs, they turned to the east wing and passed beautiful rooms until he led her into a suite. “How’s this?” he asked. “You’ll be near Caroline’s room.”
“This is gorgeous,” Ava exclaimed, looking around a suite lavishly outfitted with an antique rose silk sofa, Louis XIV–style furniture and a thick rug on the polished oak floor. Through the open door she could see the bedroom. “I’ll unpack, which won’t take long. I can find my way back to the library.”
“Leave your things to unpack later. C’mon. We’ll give you a brief tour so you know where you are.”
Noticing how silent Caroline was, docilely letting Will carry her without wiggling or the usual chatter of a child her age, Ava was more aware of the child than her surroundings.
“Here’s Caroline’s suite,” he said, pausing at a doorway a brief distance down the hall. “Rosalyn is in an adjoining suite, although she has a bed in Caroline’s room.”
They entered a child’s room that was a dream room to Ava. Murals of nursery characters decorated one wall. White clouds were painted on the pale blue ceiling. The furniture was painted white, or covered with pink and blue chintz upholstery. Table legs were carved as nursery characters. She couldn’t imagine the unhappiness Caroline was steeped in while living in such an adorable, cheerful room.
They left Caroline’s room, and at the end of the hall she entered a huge master suite with striking black and white decor.
“Your suite, no doubt,” she said, and Will grinned.
“You’re getting to know me.”
“More a process of elimination.”
They went downstairs to a playroom where Will held Caroline and read to her. Next they played a board game with her, and while she remained silent and somber, she moved her pieces to play along with them.
“Want Ava to read one of your new books to you?” Will asked when they finished the board game.
Without looking at Ava, Caroline nodded. The three of them sat on a sofa with Caroline between them while Ava read and let Caroline turn the pages.
Giving her a pleasant surprise, Ava realized Caroline was reading with her enough to know when to turn a page without being told. She looked at the child’s tiny hands, so dainty and frail. Caroline smelled sweet, something that held a hint of apples, and her hair was shiny. Ava could see why Will loved her so much and was doing what he could for her.
By the time Ava finished both books, dinner was served by Will’s chef, who then disappeared back into the kitchen.
After dinner they played more games with Caroline and then walked outside to sit near the pool.
“Will, this is grand,” she said, looking at a covered area with an outdoor stainless-steel kitchen and a patio with upholstered furniture. “You have another kitchen and living room out here. This is incredible.”
“It’s comfortable like the rest of the house,” he said. They talked while Caroline sat at a desk to paint and draw pictures. When she finished, Will praised each picture. Rosalyn arrived to get Caroline ready for bed and the two left.
“She’s precious, Will. I can see why you worry so about her.”
“She’s shut away in her own world where I can’t get through to her. No one can.”
“Why don’t you leave her in my care tomorrow?” Ava suggested. “I’ve never dealt with a child in this situation before, but I need to get to know her before I talk to the likely tutors.”
“Fine. If you’re ready for that. If you want just half a day, let me know. If at any point it isn’t going well, Rosalyn will be here, so summon her.”
“You can give Rosalyn the day off and let me take care of Caroline. We’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure you will, but you’re unaccustomed to that kind of responsibility and a child can wear you down.”
She smiled. “I don’t think Caroline will.”
He stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see Caroline. If I’m home, I always read to her before she goes to bed for the night.”
“Of course.”
He left and Ava turned to watch him walk away. He’d been telling her the truth about his devotion to Caroline—when he was home he read to her at night. Another plus in Ava’s view of him.
* * *
Taking the stairs two at a time, Will hurried to Caroline’s room. Rosalyn was brushing Caroline’s long black hair. His heart felt squeezed that he was here when it should be his brother Adam with her.
“Rosalyn, I’ll read to her and I’ll call you when I’m ready to go back downstairs.”
“Yes, sir,” Rosalyn said, looking at Caroline in the mirror. “How pretty you look, Caroline. Here’s Uncle Will.”
As Rosalyn left the room, Caroline turned to look at him. He wondered if anyone would ever be able to reach her, and if he would ever stop hurting over the tragedy in her life. “You do look so pretty, Caroline.” He picked her up. “I’ll read to you. You find the book you want, okay?”
She looked at the bookcase as he approached it and set her on her feet. She smelled sweet, fresh and clean, a faint lilac scent left from soap. Her pink pajamas covered in kittens were soft. She touched a book and he pulled it out.
“Ah, good choice,” he said, picking her up again and holding the book. He carried her to the rocker to sit with her on his lap.
“Caroline, my friend Miss Ava would like to spend the day with you tomorrow. I’ll be home, but I’ll be in my office some of the time. Will this be all right with you?”
She gazed at him solemnly and nodded.
“Good. She wants to help you with your reading and she’s trying to find a reading tutor for you.”
As Caroline focused her big brown eyes on him, he marveled at the length and thickness of her lashes.
“Caroline, Miss Ava has sad moments sometimes because she has lost someone she loved just as you have. She was married, but her husband is no longer alive and there are times this makes her sad.”
Caroline gazed at him wide-eyed and solemn
. How much did she understand? Did she feel any sympathy or a bond with Ava?
“Now let’s look at this book you picked about the brave puppy and the rescued kitten.”
He held Caroline, rocking her as he read to her, his mind wandering to Ava and back to Caroline. Halfway through the book Caroline’s breathing deepened. He continued reading a few more pages until he saw her dark lashes on her cheeks. He carried the sleeping child to bed and covered her lightly, brushing a kiss on her cheek and standing over her.
“Adam, I’m sorry,” he whispered, hurting and feeling helpless, something he was unaccustomed to in his life.
* * *
Ava looked around to see Will walk up and pull a chair close to hers.
“Sorry to leave you so long. Caroline is asleep now and Rosalyn is with her.”
“How many nannies has she had?
“Actually, Rosalyn is the only nanny we’ve had. She was her nanny when Adam was alive. Rosalyn had fifteen years’ experience, plus her own kids and grandkids. She had great references.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t become a substitute mother to Caroline, someone your niece would relate to emotionally.”
“Rosalyn has tried—sometimes I think too hard. She comes on too strong and it makes Caroline withdraw. Rosalyn means well and loves Caroline. She’s very good to her. I told her your plan to stay with Caroline tomorrow, and I’ll be home, so I gave her the day off. Still want to do that?”
“Yes, I do. I’d like to get to know her. I don’t expect to need you,” she said, smiling at him.
“I know, but just in case.”
“We’ll be fine, and I appreciate your concern. It’s only a day, perhaps two at the most.” She gazed into his dark eyes and could tell he was assessing her, trying to decide whether she could take care of Caroline or not. “By the way, you were right about her ability to read. The two books I read to her today are both beginner reading level and I know she can read them. I realized after a few pages she knew when to turn the page without being told, so she had to be reading along with me. Then I began to do things to make certain, like pausing on the last line and looking at the picture. Little things, but she had to be reading with me to know, because otherwise she would turn before I indicated I was through.”
