Geneviève Paddington
WindSwept Narrows
Book Nine
Karen A. Nichols
Copyright 2011 by Karen A. Nichols
Smashwords Edition
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Chapter One
Paddington’s Emporium sat just about two miles from the resort on the coast road. When the words location, location, location were coined, it surely applied to Paddington’s. Anchored on steel beams that could be seen like giant tripod legs when the tide was low, the huge six sided building was a cross between a lighthouse and a circus tent. Brightly painted, the elegantly carved sign proclaiming the name was situated next to the door. An unnecessary step since the Emporium had become a destination over fifteen years ago.
Ethan Collier parked the SUV in the crowded lot, stepping from inside with a frown that had become part of his demeanor. He glanced absently into the back seat, one hand up and rubbing his neck.
Gwen had just seated Hannah and Mia when she saw the very out of place gentleman enter the tea room. She watched Noah Madison head toward him but her gaze was locked on the small girl in his arm. She didn’t cling to him. There was no curiosity in her eyes. There was no spark, Gwen thought with a frown. She held her hands in front of her, riding on his arm, the two of them together yet very separate.
“I don’t know anything about him, Gwen,” Hannah told her softly when Gwen turned a pair wide brown eyes in her direction.
“I believe…you know how to find us when you’ve finished,” Gwen said quietly, taking Scarlet’s hand and then Lili’s. She waited until the man was at their table. “May I?” She released the tiny palms she held and reached for the little girl without waiting for permission, winking when the pale amber eyes blinked at her curiously.
“She doesn’t care for strangers,” Ethan said without emotion, staring in disbelief when Zoe went into the woman’s arms.
“I’m not a stranger,” Gwen told him without looking at him, her gaze locked on the child’s. “How old is she?”
“Just turned three. Look, I…”
“What’s her name?”
“Zoe, but…”
“I’ll take very good care of her, I promise,” Gwen told him, looking down at the two little girls at her side. “Let’s go, ladies,” she said, walking slowly out of the tearoom without looking back at the stunned silence.
“It’s alright, Ethan,” Lucas offered him a bottle of ale. “Consider this your couple hours of adult time. Gwen is good…”
Hannah laughed, her head shaking. “Gwen is beyond good, as far as the children are concerned. It’s almost magical…”
Gwen took the three little girls into the main play room, the silence of the one in her arms troubling. She set up a small table just for the four of them, tea in the form of juice, cookies and several dolls dotting the small area around the table. She set Zoe on the floor. Scarlet was four and immediately began playing with the toys around her, chattering with Lili about the babies they were sitting around the table for tea.
Zoe watched.
“Do you miss daddy?” Gwen asked softly.
“I don’t have a daddy,” she answered in flat simplicity, one palm up and reaching slowly forward. “I have Uncle Ethan. May I play?”
“Yes, you may, Zoe…this is Lili…and this is Scarlet…” Gwen looked at the plain t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. Then the portrait of the man who had held her in his arm came into her mind. He’d been dressed in pretty much the same attire, a jacket added on top. She had long brown hair braided much too tightly for a child, Gwen thought, weaving down between her shoulders.
“Where’s your mama? Is she having tea?” Lili asked, lifting one of the dolls and carrying her to the table.
“I don’t have a mama,” Zoe answered, studying the collection and moving slowly to the low shelf. “I have Mrs. Acker.”
“Your nanny?” Gwen guessed quietly, the little brunette head nodding without looking over her shoulder. She watched the little fingers touching the lacy Christmas dress on the doll she was standing before. Gwen saw the longing in the huge brown eyes when she looked over at Lili and Scarlet, both in holiday dresses. Scarlet’s blonde curls were pulled into a little bundle at the back of her head, and Lili’s red curls were barely touching her ears, a tiny clip in the center holding them from her eyes.
“Zoe…” Gwen took her hand, no resistance when she moved her to stand in front of her. She gently removed the band at the end of her braid, helping the long hair unwind. She watched the little girl bring one hand up, rubbing at her head with a little wince. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you,” she answered politely, the first sign of a tiny smile touching her lips.
“Does Mrs. Acker braid your hair every day?”
“Yes…Because it’s untidy and ugly,” she repeated from memory.
“It isn’t ugly, Zoe…you have beautiful hair,” Gwen told her.
“Hers is pretty…it’s like gold…” She looked at Scarlet and sighed.
“It is very pretty. And Lili has pretty red hair…and you and me, have pretty brown hair,” Gwen told her gently, fingers tenderly stroking over the child’s head. “I think we need some girl fun…” she pulled her phone from the pocket of the white apron she wore over her dress. “Milly…is the care center busy? No…who’s available? Sign Tricia out to me and send her to the child’s tea room, please. Thanks. No…I’ll be in the spa for while.”
Gwen saw the young woman dressed as an elf enter and grin broadly.
“What’s up? Hey, girls….how are you all today?”
“I need your help with some spa fun…Lili and Scarlet have been before, so they know the drill…I’ll take Zoe with me for a while and join you in a bit…”
“Time for some nail polish,” Tricia said, holding two hands out to the little girls, leading them off laughing and giggling and talking about colors.
Gwen lifted Zoe, watching her gaze on the little doll. “We’ll come back and get her when we’re finished,” she promised, following Tricia down the corridor to another chamber in the Emporium. She knew they would be busy and was glad Tricia could manage the other two without worrying. Gwen sat Zoe in one of the chairs near Paula, the young woman standing with her and looking over the quiet child.
“She’s very…subdued,” Paula said softly.
“I know. But I don’t know why,” Gwen answered, concern in her voice.
“Make over time,” Paula said, bending down and peeking into the wide brown eyes. She poked out a finger into the little stomach. “Can you smile? Just a little? A l
ittle more…”
“This one, Paula,” Gwen held up a photo from her stylebook. She knew immediately that she chose well when the little girl’s eyes widened even more at the pretty curly style.
“Her hair is thick and heavy…I think that one would be perfect, Gwen,” she lifted the child. “How about a bubbly cherry shampoo?”
Gwen stayed close, holding her hand when she looked a little nervous tilting back in the chair as Paula ran water and applied the fragrant child’s shampoo.
“This feels nice,” Zoe said after a few minutes.
“I want you to stay here a minute, Zoe. I’ll be right back, alright?” Gwen saw her nod, wondering if the child knew how to be rebellious. She took one of the child’s shoes and peeked at the label on the neck of her shirt. “Be right back, Paula…cut the length before you start combing. She has a nanny and I think she’s a bit heavy handed with the brush.”
“Got it, boss…no problem,” Paula promised, chatting away at the quiet little girl.
Gwen went through the collection of holiday dresses on the rack, found what she was looking for and stopped to check on Lili and Scarlet, who giggled and wiggled little pink toes for her. She returned to Zoe and sat on a stool next to the mirror, watching the cutting process.
“She has a pretty high forehead…the bangs will curl really sweetly, Gwen,” Paula fluffed the damp curls out. “See…it’s natural…and beautiful…”
Gwen kept her gaze on the little girl who was barely blinking as she watched Paula cut and style her hair. It didn’t take long before there were thick, wide ringlets bouncing around her oval face. Nothing touched her neck. Thick lashes closed as Paula gently used the dryer to get all the hair from her, using her fingers to fluff out the shiny curls.
“What do you think, Zoe?”
“It’s pretty,” she said in a hushed whisper, gently shaking her head and watching the curls bounce around her face. And she smiled.
Gwen looked at Paula and nodded. “She’s very pretty,” Paula said with a grin, taking the two deep red bows from Gwen, using them to pin up the sides above Zoe’s ears.
“Now we need to find a quiet place,” Gwen lifted her to the floor after replacing the shoe she’d taken with her to match a size. They stopped by Tricia, who had just finished putting the little girl’s shoes back in place.
“We’re polished!” Scarlet held up her fingers, stopping and looking at Zoe. “Pretty hair, Zoe.”
Zoe just stared at her as if she hadn’t quite grasped what was being said.
“Thank you, Scarlet,” Gwen said with a smile. “You go to the tea room with Tricia and we’ll join you in a few minutes, alright?”
She accepted the nod and smiles, constantly watching the expressions flooding the tiny girl’s features. Gwen walked with her to the office she used, closing the door and standing Zoe on the extra chair. She quickly undressed her and took her into the bathroom, waiting for her to come out before letting her step into the new clothing Gwen had selected.
Gwen felt tears welling in her eyes as the little girl stood on the chair, watching the transformation. She finished with a pair of shiny black shoes, straightened the lace socks and lifted the little hands from her sides.
“I think you’re beautiful, Zoe,” Gwen said honestly, taking in the deep red and crème dress that stopped just past her knees in a flair of petticoats and velvet.
Gwen carried her to the photo booth, the two of them sitting close as the flash went off. She nodded at the photographer and picked up Zoe again, stopping at the door to the private tea room she used. She nodded at Tricia and released her from duty. She set the child down at the door and dropped to her heels.
“Zoe,” Gwen took her hands and waited until she met her gaze. “You are always beautiful, no matter what anyone else ever says.”
“May I play now?” Blank, almost dazed eyes stared at Gwen.
“You may play and run and laugh and have fun,” Gwen told her, releasing her fingers and waiting expectantly. There were a few tense seconds as she began moving slowly, dark eyes darting around the room at Scarlet and Lili playing with the various toys. Gwen leaned against the door, watching hopefully. Very slowly, Zoe joined them, uncertain of how she should behave. By the end of the hour, the trio were laughing and talking about the tea party. Scarlet was very good at pulling the child into her game of make believe.
Gwen looked at the phone when it sounded, sighing.
“Ladies…it’s time to go,” Gwen lifted the smallest, Zoe, into her arms and walked slowly with the others. It didn’t surprise her that as soon as Lili and Scarlet spotted their parents, they took off at a gleeful run, launching themselves in the waiting arms, chattering about their adventures.
Gwen held Zoe close, meeting the eyes of the man who had brought her.
“Gwen…she’s beautiful,” Hannah whispered, holding Lili against her.
“She’s a little girl…” Gwen said softly, watching the adult male and the child appraise one another.
“Do I look pretty, Uncle Ethan?” Zoe asked, an anxious tremor in her voice.
Gwen frowned, her arms tightening around the little girl.
“Sure…you look fine,” he turned a pair of dark eyes on Gwen. “What do I owe you?”
“Owe me?” Gwen raised one eyebrow, staring at him in disbelief. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“Where’s her clothes?” He asked flatly.
“I…” Gwen carried Zoe to one of the waitresses. “Gina, would you take Zoe to my office and wait there? I’ll be right there, Zoe…” the little girl nodded and went into the younger woman’s arms.
Hannah knew there was going to be a storm and watched the skirts of Gwen’s dress swishing around her ankles.
“You are unbelievable,” Gwen hissed furiously, one finger up and poking in the chest of the startled man. “Is there even a heart inside there?”
“What the…” Stark surprise crinkled his features, dark eyes glaring at the woman poking him.
“Zoe is a little girl! She is not a…a miniature replica of you! Have you ever seen that little girl smile?” Gwen demanded hotly, pacing in small circles before him, ignoring the people around her. She poked him in the chest once more, sending him backing up a step. “And I strongly…very strongly…suggest you find a bloody nanny who likes children! Instead of telling her that she was…was unruly and ugly!”
“Zoe is none of your…”
“Zoe is a child that someone stupidly entrusted to your care! Care! Do you even have an inkling of the meaning of the word? That little girl was screaming inside to be permitted to be a girl! And all she asked for was your bloody approval and you can’t even find it in you to tell her how beautiful she is!” Gwen poked him again, dark eyes flashing angrily. “I’ll get her clothes for you. You don’t deserve the love she’s trying so desperately to give you,” she hissed furiously, spinning and striding from the dining area, ignoring the chatter around her.
Ethan watched her go, his knuckles turning white around his car keys. He looked at Hannah.
“Who the hell is she?”
“Geneviève Paddington,” Hannah answered immediately.
“Do me a favor? Inform her she’s right and I hope she enjoys being the kid’s mother,” Ethan turned and left the dining area, long legs carrying him to the parking lot in seconds.
Chapter Two
“Ethan! You can’t just…Noah, do something!” Hannah looked at him frantically, watching him take off after his friend.
Noah took off after his friend, his palm coming up at the same time Ethan reached for the door handle of the SUV.
“Don’t, Noah,” Ethan said through his teeth. “Just don’t.”
“Look…Gwen didn’t mean…”
“The hell she didn’t and she’s right,” he growled angrily. “I don’t know the first thing about raising a kid, let alone a girl. I’ve had her for six months and don’t have a…”
“You aren’t born knowing how to be a parent,”
Noah interrupted sharply.
“I was a sniper! Josh had no business leaving me as her guardian, we both know that,” Ethan pulled the door open and got inside. “She’s a hell of a lot better off with this woman than with me. I’ll get back to you on the inheritance thing.”
“Damn it, you don’t just walk out of a child’s life like this,” Noah ground out the words in frustration.
“You do if you’re smart and it’s for the well being of the child,” Ethan told him flatly, closing the door and driving out of the parking lot.
Noah met Hannah at the table, his head shaking ruefully.
“We need to talk to Gwen,” Hannah said quietly, setting Lili free and weaving her way to the tea rooms set up for children.
Gwen was sitting on the floor, Zoe on her lap and cuddled against her, sleeping. She whispered a gentle, calming song.
“She’s asleep,” Gwen said, her back to the door when it opened.
“He left, Gwen,” Hannah set Lili down, taking the chair in front of her, patting the other chair and crooking a finger at Noah.
Gwen looked from one to the other, her fingers brushing softly over the curls on Zoe’s forehead. “He left her. Just walked away?” She said in disbelief, her head shaking numbly.
“Zoe was left in the custody of Ethan Collier when his brother, Josh Collier and his wife, Tanya, were killed in a highway accident,” Noah said flatly. “That was six months ago.”
Gwen waited. “That’s it? That is how you explain his behavior?”
“Ethan and I are friends,” Noah began quietly. “We met in the military. He works for a law firm as a private investigator. He doesn’t talk about much.”
“Most men don’t,” Gwen said simply.
“That isn’t true,” Hannah said sharply. “I don’t know Ethan, but I know he wouldn’t have left her if he didn’t believe it was best for her. I saw it in his eyes, Gwen.”
WindSwept Narrows: #9 Guinevere Paddington Page 1
