A Christmas Homecoming (14 page)

She padded down the stairs and paused at the bottom. Christmas music played softly. “Hello?” She followed the sound to the living room and found Stephen along with his niece and nephew finishing up the tree. “Hi there.”

Lacy whirled around. “Wow!” She ran to Bailey and hugged her around the waist. “You look so pretty.”

Bailey laughed. “I’m wearing sweats and a T-shirt.” Her gaze smacked into Stephen’s. Was that admiration in his eyes? All from a haircut and new glasses?

Lacy leaned her head back and looked up. “Your hair looks so soft and pretty. Can I touch it?” She stepped back.

Bailey started to laugh, then realized the child was serious. “Okay. I guess.” She squatted down.

Lacy petted her hair as if she were a dog. “It’s so soft. My mom is going to be jealous.”

“I very much doubt your mom would ever be jealous of me. That’s like Cinderella being jealous of her ugly stepsisters.” The idea that Judy would care one whit about her hair almost made her laugh. “What are the three of you doing here? I didn’t expect company.” She raised a brow at Stephen. He’d promised not to use his key except in an emergency.

“I told Rick that I’d watch the kids for a couple of days. We ran out of things to do at my place, and I noticed you were gone all day.” His eyes met hers and held. “Now we know what you were up to. You look amazing, although you looked good before too.”

Lacy giggled and looked between them.

Bailey’s face heated. She hadn’t expected such a strong reaction, and she was even wearing sweats!

Stephen cleared his throat. “Anyway, I figured you hadn’t had time to finish the tree. We were trying to be sneaky and finish it to surprise you. I hope you don’t mind.”

A spark shot through her, and her face warmed. “That was very sweet.” Bailey patted Lacy’s shoulder. “You are expert tree decorators. I think your grandmother will approve.” She wasn’t simply saying that to make the children happy. They’d done a decent job. She’d only need to move a few ornaments to spread them out a bit. It looked like the designer’s eye was hereditary.

Lacy grinned up at her with admiration on her face. “I knew she would. We found your pictures of the tree from last year, and we’re trying to copy it.”

“Oh. So you cheated. And here I thought you were design savants.” Bailey offered them a teasing smile.

Stephen ducked his head. “Guilty.”

“We’re spending the night at Uncle Stephen’s,” Collin said.

“How fun. But don’t you have school tomorrow?” It seemed odd that Rick and Judy would allow their children to have a sleepover on a school night.

They nodded in unison.

She looked to Stephen for an explanation, but he remained silent and his face gave nothing away. “It seems everything is under control down here, so I’m heading to bed. Don’t stay up too late. Your teachers won’t like it if you fall asleep in class.”

“We won’t.” Lacy ran to her and hugged her waist. “Good night.”

“’Night, sweetie.” She detoured into the kitchen for a glass of water, still pondering Rick and Judy’s odd behavior.

“Short hair suits you.”

She whirled around from her position at the sink. “Hey, Stephen. Thanks. My friends thought I needed a makeover since I’m taking over for Mona.”

Pain etched on his face for a brief second, then his face smoothed. “About that. We need to talk.”

Chapter Ten

Stephen stood in his mother’s kitchen facing Bailey. She was truly stunning even in sweats. How did a simple haircut change a person so much? He studied her face a moment longer. He’d thought she was attractive before but now—wow.

“What’s going on? Why do we need to talk about me taking over?” Bailey’s voice wobbled.

“It’s nothing bad.” He wondered at the worry on her face. When would she trust him enough to not think the worst when he wanted to talk with her? He motioned toward a chair at the table. “I lined up a couple of interviews for this week. We need to get your assistant into place as soon as possible.”

“I didn’t know anyone replied to my ad.”

“No one did. I contacted a school in Portland, and they put me in touch with two graduates living in the area.”

“That was a good idea. I hadn’t thought to reach out to the schools. My alma mater likely has a few recommendations too. I’ll give them a call in the morning.”

“Don’t. Let’s wait and see these candidates before we get anyone else’s hopes up.”

“Good idea.” She fiddled with her hair and glanced toward the door.

“I like your new look. I liked the old one too, but this is nice.”

“Thanks. My friends thought I needed an update.” She touched her hair again. “It’s been quite a day, and I’m beat. Will you please lock up when you leave?” She strode from the room.

He stood there staring at the empty space where she’d been only a moment ago. He couldn’t figure her out. She was shy and timid about some things, and at other times she was bold. Like when he saw in her eyes she wasn’t happy with him for letting himself and the kids into the house. Good thing the kids were with him, or who knows what would have happened. Not that he was afraid of a little verbal sparring, but he preferred to avoid it if possible.

“Uncle Stephen, we’re finished,” his nephew called.

Stephen sighed. “On my way.” When Rick had told him things were not going well with Judy, he’d had no idea how bad the situation really was. Apparently Thanksgiving was a show for the family and the kids. They’d left after church for a couple’s retreat. He thought it odd that it would be held during the week, and that either of them would take time off to go, but he was glad they were trying to work things out.

He and Rebecca had been opposites in almost every way, but that’s what made them compatible. She had qualities in her that he lacked and admired and vice versa. Would he ever have that kind of relationship again? He hoped so.

Collin slid to a stop in his socks at the kitchen doorway. “What’s taking you so long?”

“Sorry, buddy. I’m letting my mind wander. Let’s go. Morning will come faster than any of us would like.” He ruffled his nephew’s hair as they strolled side by side to find Lacy.

She stood before the tree staring, seemingly mesmerized by the lights. Maybe Bailey had been right in saying the lights were the most important part.

“We’re leaving, Lacy. Unplug the lights please.” He waited for her to do as he asked, then they paraded out the door. He locked up and guided them along the lit pathway to his cabin.

Lacy looped her arm around his. “Are you ever going to give us cousins, Uncle Stephen?”

His chest constricted. “That’s quite a question for this time of night.” It was only nine o’clock, but it wasn’t a topic he cared to discuss. He and Rebecca had wanted children, but she couldn’t have them. They’d tossed around the idea of adoption, then they’d found out she had stage-four melanoma, and seven months later she was gone.

“Oh. Okay.” Lacy’s shoulders slumped. “I thought—”

“You know I’m not married, sweetie.”

“You could get married. Plus, lots of people have babies when they aren’t married.”

“True. But not me.” Single parenting did not appeal in the slightest. He pushed open the door to his cabin. “Wash your face and brush your teeth, then I’ll come and tuck you both in.” The large guest room had bunk beds as well as a queen-size bed. The kids thought it was super fun to sleep in bunk beds. He eased onto the couch and rested his head back closing his eyes. The clock on the mantle ticked loudly in the quiet room.

Sudden bickering in the bathroom grabbed his attention. “Finish up. You have to a count of thirty to get into bed.” He raised his voice a little louder and started counting slowly. His niece and nephew turned off the water then raced to the bedroom. “Twenty-eight, twenty-nine,” he drew out the word as he stood and strode toward the guest room. “Thirty.” He jumped into the room.

They giggled uncontrollably.

“Settle down now. It’s time to say your prayers.” He tucked them in and listened to them pray, then turned off the light and retreated to his own room.

First thing tomorrow, he’d set up interviews with the two people the college had connected him with regarding the position. Hopefully one of them would be a perfect fit. It was unlikely they’d have any contact with his mother, but if so, they’d need to keep what he was up to from her. If she knew that he not only disregarded her order to fire Bailey but instead promoted her, she’d have a conniption. Good thing he had the legal right to do as he thought best with the company. Regardless, it’d be best to keep his recent decisions away from his mother, at least for a bit longer.

Based on the makeover he’d seen this evening, Bailey seemed to be embracing the idea of taking over the business. He hadn’t expected her to step up the way that she had, although he probably shouldn’t be surprised. Mom would never have hired her if she hadn’t seen something special in her. Now to make sure Bailey knew she had what it takes. The ugly stepsister comment she’d made earlier made him doubt she knew how attractive she was, sweat pants and all. Is that why she came across as insecure at times?

The following afternoon, Bailey carried two mugs of coffee into the home office where Stephen waited. She placed it on the desk that faced the French doors. A cozy seating area on her left drew her attention. “Perhaps it would be best to conduct the interview there.” She waved toward the love seat and two occasional chairs.

Stephen stood. “Good thinking. It’s a little casual, but perhaps the desk is too formal.” He handed her a printout about the first candidate. “As you can see, Celia is well qualified.”

She skimmed Celia’s information. On paper the woman looked good, but her personality and references would be the clincher. “What about the other woman?”

He handed her another paper. “I like this one the best.”

She glanced over the woman’s qualifications and was impressed by her work history. More than likely she was in her early thirties. A more mature assistant might be nice. “Sierra—nice name.”

The doorbell pealed.

Bailey placed the papers on a chair. “Be right back.” She took several calming breaths before reaching the door and pulling it open. “You must be Celia. I’m Bailey.”

The fresh-faced woman nodded. “This place is really something! I’m stoked to be here.” She held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Bailey guided the eager young woman to the office. Fifteen minutes later the interview was over, and Bailey sat beside Stephen. “Was it me or was she like a mini-tornado? I’m exhausted.”

He chuckled. “She certainly was excited or maybe overly nervous.”

Bailey twisted to face him. “She’s not the one. I don’t think she and I would work well together.”

“Agreed. It’s weird how on paper she appeared perfect, but in person, not so much.”

“No kidding. How’d it go with the kids last night?”

“Great. And I got them to school on time too, which was no easy feat. They’ll be spending tonight with me also.”

“Wow. In all the time I’ve been working here, Judy and Rick have never been away overnight without their kids.”

“They needed some alone time together. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the kids. I feel like they grew up so much in the time I was away.” He rubbed his chin. “I shouldn’t admit this, but I have no idea how old they are anymore.”

Somehow that didn’t surprise her. “Collin is seven and Lacy is ten.”

The doorbell rang, and Stephen stood. “I’ll get it this time.”

Bailey quickly checked her reflection in the full-length mirror behind the closet door. She’d never been one to worry about her appearance, but Nicole’s concern that she look the part for her new position had struck a chord with her. Because she wasn’t a beauty didn’t mean she couldn’t be pulled together. Her black slacks and red cowl neck sweater were perfect to her way of thinking. Certainly not corporate America, but it looked nice and was comfortable.

A petite woman of indiscernible age with blonde hair and vivid green eyes glided into the room.

Bailey stood and held out her hand. “I’m Bailey Calderwood. Thanks for coming to meet with us on such short notice, Sierra.”

“It was no problem.” Sierra settled onto the love seat. “Mr. Belafonte tells me that I would be your assistant if I get the job. What would be my responsibilities?”