“And from someone without a son of his own?”
Daniel silently counted to three. “From someone who cares that Josh grows up secure and happy. He needs his dad. And you’d be a fool to ignore him.”
“I have no intention of ignoring him. In fact, I’ll probably be with him more often than ever very soon.”
The skin on the back of Dan’s neck prickled. “You mean, on the campaign trail?”
“Hmm? Sure. I want the kids with me for that. And…more.” Carl stared at Dan now, his eyes gleaming.
Daniel hoisted himself onto the railing and casually leaned against the post. “If your grand plan is to the kids’ benefit, that’s great, and I applaud you.” He hoped his voice sounded sincere, even jovial.
“On the other hand,” he continued, “if you’re planning to use the children to spite Shelley, then that’s not so great.”
“Then it seems you’ll just have to wait and see what I do, Professor, won’t you?” Carl’s eyes glowed. He was obviously enjoying the debate.
“I’m known to be a patient man,” replied Daniel. “But in this case, I won’t have to wait long. Your weakness is showing, Counselor. More clearly all the time. The weakness that’s going to bring you down—if you’re not careful.”
The man didn’t look quite as smug as before. “An interesting theory. Want to share it?”
Dan waited. Pretended to consider the request. “I never show all my cards,” he finally said. “But here’s a hint.” He nodded toward the kitchen door. “Your weakness—it’s not Shelley.”
Carl’s eyes gleamed with suspicion. “What are you getting at?”
Dan pushed himself off the railing. “No, Shelley’s not your weak spot,” he repeated. “Your Achilles’ heel comes from inside, Anderson. Why don’t you take some time to figure it out?”
The back door swung open at that moment, Josh in the lead.
Emily followed, with Shelley bringing up the rear. The kids had never looked as scrubbed as they did then.
“We’re ready, Dad,” said Josh.
The candidate examined his children, and nodded. “I’ll say. You’re one handsome devil, son. Chip off the old block.”
Josh grinned. Dan winced.
“What about me, Daddy?”
Everyone chuckled now, including Daniel, who was glad to see Emily asserting herself.
“As beautiful as Mommy,” said Carl Anderson.
Emily grinned at Shelley, and Dan had to agree with that assessment. The female Andersons were a pair of beauties.
“Listen up, troops,” said Shelley. “Last-minute instructions about tomorrow at the big concert in Boston.”
“It’s the Fourth of July,” said Emily to her mother.
“That’s right, sweetheart, and there are going to be a lot of people there. Crowds of people who want to hear the music.”
She looked at Dan. “The Boston Pops does a fabulous concert every year along the Charles River.”
Dan nodded. “I’ve seen it on television.”
“Right. It’s broadcast nationally because it’s so great.” She knelt on the floor, eye level with her children. “You guys have to hold on to Daddy’s hands. Tight. Both of you.”
“For goodness’ sake, Shelley. I won’t lose them!” said Carl. “I’m their father.”
“I know. I know. But you might be distracted with speech making or whatever you’re doing. The crowds are friendly, but they’re big.”
When she looked up at her ex-husband, Daniel could see a worry line crease her forehead. He wanted to kiss it away.
Carl extended his hand; Shelley took it and stood up.
“If you’re that concerned, Shel, come with us. It’s a family concert.”
That remark got everyone’s attention and silence prevailed for a moment. An uncomfortable silence. Daniel watched Emily and Josh step toward each other seeking comfort, an automatic response to the conflict they sensed in the adult world.
Shelley’s glance at Carl was eloquent in its disgust, but she smiled. “I have other commitments. You and the children, however, will make a beautiful family portrait.”
She turned to the kids. “You know what? I’m going to watch television and try to find you! How’s that? If you see a big camera, wave at me.”
“If I look real hard, can I see you?” asked Emily.
“No, sweetheart, it doesn’t work like that, but I’ll see you…when, Carl? I can pick them up at the ferry at Rowes Wharf if you’d like either tomorrow night or on the fifth.”
“I’ll let you know. My folks will be at the concert, too, so don’t worry so much. And watch tonight’s news. We may be featured.” Carl glanced at his watch. “Come on. We really have to be going.”
“Just one more thing,” Shelley interrupted him. “Leave me the name and phone number of your campaign manager. You may not be reachable at times for personal calls.”
Carl handed her a business card. “Here’s the information, and now we’re leaving.” He motioned the children to him and they walked down the porch steps toward the driveway.
Suddenly, Emily dropped her overnight bag on the ground and ran back straight into Dan’s arms. He lifted her automatically, and kissed her cheek.
“Bye, my Daniel p’fessor,” she said, her voice as sweet as milk chocolate. “I love you, too.”
Dan’s eyes stung as he held her close. “And I love you,” he whispered. “I’ll be waiting for you right here. And Josh, too.”
“Good.” She jumped down, ran back toward her father and picked up her bag. “I’m ready now, Daddy.”
But Carl wasn’t paying attention to his daughter then. His glare was only for Daniel.
And then in purposeful slow motion, Carl’s eyes roved from Daniel to Shelley and back again, his calculating expression easy to read.
Daniel glanced at Shelley. Her face was whiter than clean beach sand in the moonlight. She’d recognized Carl’s message. The candidate was going after custody of his kids.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SHELLEY WATCHED in silence as Carl and the children disappeared around the corner and up Outlook Drive. No one on the porch said a word.
“What has happened to that boy?” Ellen Duffy’s thin voice finally reflected her confusion. “I don’t understand him anymore.”
Shelley walked to her mom and embraced her. “Everything will be okay. Don’t worry.” She nodded at Dan. “The guy over there has a winning team to help me.”
“Well, thank God for that!” replied Ellen, and Shelley was delighted to note her mother’s renewed spirit. “The lawyer that represented you two years ago isn’t up to handling this situation.” Ellen’s expression hardened, her lips pressed together. “Carl’s not thinking about the children at all. And he’s jealous of you, Daniel. You know that, don’t you?”
“Sure, I do. You realize, of course, that he would resent anyone in Shelley’s life right now because he has other plans for her.” Dan’s calm tone helped to quell Shelley’s nerves and seemed to reassure her parents. “And I’m certainly not taking his attitude personally, nor am I intimidated by him.”
Now, Phil started to laugh. “I guess not. Geez, there was some excitement here today.”
“I’m afraid, Mr. Duffy, that there’s going to be more before it’s all over,” said Dan.
Shelley grimaced at his words, but she knew he was speaking the truth. “I’d hoped he’d simply accept my decision, but I think there’s more behind his determination than simply the election. It’s become a matter of pride. Now he wants me because I said no—a word he’s rarely heard from me. And he doesn’t know how to handle it, so he’s digging in.”
Thoughts and images whirled in her mind. Carl’s sneering face, his threatening tone, his overall intimidation tactics. She wanted to curl into a ball and howl. “Now he’s getting back at me,” she said, her voice quavering, “no matter what’s best for the children.”
Tears filled her eyes, and despite her effort to remain calm,
she couldn’t breathe. Fear gagged her, and a wave of nausea hit full force. She ran into the house, to the bathroom and almost missed the bowl. Doubling over, she retched, felt hot then cold.
A strong arm encircled her stomach, supporting her, riding with the waves. A dry towel blotted her forehead.
“Easy, Shel, easy. You’ll be fine. Just let it go.” Daniel’s voice. Confident. Steady. And seeing her at her absolute worst. She heaved again. Nothing she could do about it. Once more and she was done. He helped her up, and his arm stayed around her as she brushed her teeth.
“Thanks,” she mumbled when she put the brush away, and then tried to smile. “Very romantic interlude, wasn’t it?” she asked.
“I’d definitely give it a ten.” Dan’s quick grin had her feeling better, especially when he continued to hold her. He kissed her on the neck, the cheek, the ear.
“Hmm,” she murmured, nestling closer to him. “Seems like the female Andersons keep upchucking on you.”
“As a new courtship ritual, it could use some improvements,” he said lightly, “but, so what?”
“I’m sorry to be such a wimp. Guess I’m scared.” She sighed. “It seems I have to start fighting all over again when I thought everything was settled for good.”
“But this time you’re not alone. And in my professional opinion, you’re scaring yourself for nothing.”
She followed him into the hallway, then into the living room, where he insisted she lie on the couch for a while and sip a cola.
Exhausted, she had no desire to protest. Soon her eyes were closing.
“Stress is a killer,” she said with a yawn.
“Yup. And we’re going to get rid of it by taking action,” said Daniel. “I’ll set you up with your legal team next week. We’d be foolish not to lay the groundwork since we’ve been forewarned, so to speak.”
Shelley felt a genuine smile cross her face. “Suddenly, I feel much better.” And she did. “Give me an hour and we’ll go for a swim.”
More kisses feathered her cheek. “Take as long as you need,” whispered Dan. “I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.”
She loved this man who seemed to love her. He turned to leave, and she grabbed his arm. “Daniel.”
He paused, his brow crinkled. “What, honey?”
“Are you sure you want to stick around? Why should you subject yourself to all this…this…turmoil? You wanted a quiet summer! A quiet life. And I…” She shook her head, unable to speak anymore.
“And you brought me back to life!” He knelt on the floor next to her and took her hands. “Don’t ever forget it, Shel. I can’t quite explain the change—Bart probably can—but somehow you’ve got me laughing again. You and your kids. They’re terrific, and you’re doing a great job with them.” He raised her hands to his mouth and kissed every finger. “We’re going to change that turmoil into garden-variety chaos,” he continued, “the kind that’s found in every active family.”
“Garden variety?” she asked. “Ordinary? Everyday chaos?”
Now his eyes twinkled when he nodded.
“I’d like that,” she whispered. “My favorite brand of excitement.”
BY THE TIME Shelley sat with Dan, her parents and Jessie in front of the television that evening waiting for the news to begin, Daniel had arranged a meeting with his colleagues for next week. She knew it hadn’t been easy tracking them down on a holiday weekend and organizing a mutually convenient day and time for five people to meet, but he’d done it. Shelley had begun to relax and now felt like her normal self again.
The news started. National events first. Shelley barely blinked as she watched the screen, but she was totally aware of her fingers intertwined with Dan’s. She liked the implication, and she liked his touch—cool, smooth, strong. When the focus on screen changed to local news, she gripped hard.
One minute later, Carl, Josh and Emily were shown at the seniors’ center. The candidate spoke to the camera after the reporter’s lead-in, but Shelley hardly heard the words. She was glued to the kids.
“Just look at my granddaughter,” said Phil Duffy. “What a sweet little petunia she is.”
Emily stood next to a white-haired lady in a wheelchair, talking to her nonstop, and patting the woman on the arm. The elderly woman seemed to be listening, then suddenly started to laugh and stroke Emily’s cheek. Emily leaned over and kissed her.
“That’s my girl,” whispered Shelley. “So sweet. I wonder what she jabbered about.”
“Probably about what a terrific mom she has,” replied Dan. “But look at Josh showing off his batting stance to the old men. No need to guess about his topic of conversation.”
The camera panned on the children, then back to the candidate, whose beaming expression left no doubt about what a proud father he was.
“That’s it!” said Shelley after the piece was over. “He’s won the election thanks to the kids.”
“So what?” said Daniel, getting up from the couch and starting to pace. “He’s no worse than the other party’s candidate. So let him win and move to Washington.”
Shelley watched him walk back and forth, pure energy in motion. His expression changed constantly, distracted.
“I’ve got it! A totally different angle,” he finally said as he stood in front of her, eyes sparkling and a very satisfied grin on his face. “Shelley, how’d you like to plan a little campaign, too?”
She stared up at him from the sofa. “What are you talking about?”
“How’d you like to help the candidate run as the most eligible bachelor in Boston?”
Shelley jumped out of her seat. “You’re a genius!” If dozens of women threw themselves at Carl, he’d quickly forget about her.
“The first call will be to Carl’s campaign manager when the time is right,” continued Dan. “And you are going to make that call and whisper in his ear.”
“With pleasure.” The situation was getting better and better.
“How about suggesting the same thing to Carl’s parents?” asked Phil Duffy, walking toward Daniel and shaking his head. “Never thought the day would come when I’d be contemplating something like this. But it’s the right thing to do. My daughter needs freedom to live her life. And I’d be happy to call them.”
“Amen,” said Ellen, putting her arms around Shelley. “We have a strategic planning committee, too!”
Shelley spoke next. “Thank you so much.” She looked at her parents. “I know it’s been very difficult. Not what you envisioned years ago or even more recently. We’ve been—shall we say—surprised too many times. And I want you to know that the kids and I couldn’t have survived as well without you.” She kissed them both. “You’re my head cheerleaders and I love you.”
Next, she walked in front of Daniel. “As for you, Professor, just keep that brain working.” She lowered her eyelids suggestively and then peeped up at him from under her lashes. “I like your ideas,” she said in a soft, sultry voice. His eyes darkened immediately before he kissed her.
“Uh…uh…why don’t we take Jessie for her nightly walk on the beach?” asked Philip, looking at his wife.
“I’ve got a better idea,” said Shelley’s mother. “Shelley, why don’t you and Dan take her out. It’s a beautiful evening, so get out of here.
“And take your time,” added Ellen with a grin, “and a blanket!” She poked her husband with her elbow. “Maybe we old geezers could use a little privacy, too!”
“WELL, I GUESS they told us!”
Daniel looked into Shelley’s laughing face and felt himself melt inside. She was beautiful, not to mention funny, brave, warm, loving and a whole litany of wonderful adjectives he was rediscovering a use for. He took her hand and led her outside into the moonlight, Jessie at his heels.
“I guess they did,” he said. But he wasn’t sure her parents’ advice was on target. The other two adjectives that described her now were guilty and grateful. And he didn’t like the implications of either one of them.
He knew she felt guilty about involving him with her problems. In addition, she was grateful to him for helping her in a concrete way, with more than just emotional support. He understood both feelings, but he didn’t want anything to do with them. Gratitude and guilt could only muddy the waters in a relationship.
“Are you up to a short walk?” he asked as they stepped into the backyard. “We can always sit out here after Jess does her business.”
Her arms akimbo, Shelley stopped and stared at him. “Daniel, I may have been a little sick earlier, but I’m not dead! I can keep up with you for miles.” A grin slowly crossed her face as she stepped closer. “The real question is,” she whispered, “do you have a clean blanket in the car?”
It was the grin that got to him, that set him on fire. Followed by her dark eyes, glowing with promise in the moonlight. He wanted to scoop her up and make love to her until she couldn’t think about anything else. And he’d want to do it every night of his life.
But he’d saved her daughter, he’d coached the team and he’d help her face up to her ex. And he’d do it all again in a heartbeat. And now she was offering him…what?
He scanned the night sky looking for inspiration. Unlike an earlier time, however, the stars that evening twinkled with an impersonal light, leaving him on his own. He refocused on Shelley, who stood with an air of expectation. Her smile hadn’t wavered. Her hand was extended.
He reached for it. “Yes,” he said. “I have a blanket, clean and soft and waiting just for us.”
If he had regrets later on, if Shelley discovered she had confused gratitude with love, if she discovered that Dan was simply a friend, or merely her first adventure since her divorce, he’d learn to live with it. Right now, he simply wanted to live.
TWO DAYS LATER, on Sunday morning, Shelley and Dan stood at the railing of the ferry heading into Boston to pick up the kids. A light ocean breeze felt delicious against her face, but Shelley’s hands were wrapped tightly around the steel bar as she stared ahead through her dark glasses.
No Ordinary Summer Page 18
