Daddy Next Door (14 page)

“I enjoy it. Now, how about we go by the ice cream shop and everyone gets something good, like maybe a malt?”

“What’s a malt?” Steffi asked him.

“Oh, honey, it’s the best.” He looked to Jen. “What do you say, Mommy? It’ll be my treat for such efficient shopping.”

“You shouldn’t— Oh, okay. The girls do deserve a treat.”

“And so do you.”

She giggled. “I never could resist a chocolate malt. It’s my favorite flavor. What’s yours?”

Her question was innocent enough, so was her ex
pression, but Nick’s mind took him on a sensuous direction. His favorite flavor? Her. He could still taste her on his lips. And he wanted more.

N
ICK DRESSED IN A SUIT
before he knocked on Jennifer’s door on Friday night.

When she opened the door, she raised her eyebrows. She really hadn’t seen him all dressed up except when he put on the shirt and suit coat for his picture. “Oh, my. You look quite impressive,” Jennifer said.

“Thank you, ma’am. I believe I can return that compliment, except you look better than impressive.”

“Are you ready for the most impressive group?” she teased.

He nodded.

“Girls? Are you ready?”

Three little blond beauties appeared, their hair beautifully styled, their dresses highlighting their charms.

“Wow! You look great, girls. I’m a lucky guy to escort the four most beautiful girls ever.”

“That’s when we say thank you, girls,” Jen told them, “even though his compliment was a little over the top.” But the smile she gave him made it all worthwhile.

When they reached the hall where the photos were being shown, they found a crowd milling around, examining the portraits hung on the walls.

“Where’s our picture?” Missy asked, impatient. She was ready to charge through the crowd. Annie hung
back, clutching Nick’s hand. Steffi walked beside Jennifer, watching everyone with awe.

“We’ll find our picture in a moment,” Jennifer said, looking at the first portraits on the wall. They were all beautifully done, each one influenced by the person behind the camera.

Nick knew he was prejudiced, but, having seen the portrait Jennifer had done of the three girls, he felt her work was better than anything he saw on the walls around him.

As they moved through the room, Nick began to notice the stares the girls were receiving. He guessed they were being recognized from their portrait. He couldn’t hold back a smile. They were beautiful children, of course, but they had become more beautiful with Jennifer’s love and care.

He was proud to be with them.

When they finally reached their portrait, there was a crowd around it, which made it impossible for the girls to see.

“But I can’t see me!” Missy protested.

“Me, neither,” Steffi said.

“Here, I’ll lift you up one at a time,” Nick said, starting with Missy. They were drawing attention, but he thought the girls should get to see their picture in such a public place. Then he set Missy down and picked up Annie. Before he could get to Steffi, the crowd had parted so the girls could see the picture.

A couple was whispering to each other, pointing out
the girls. Then the lady stepped forward. “These must be the three sisters pictured here.”

“Yes, they are,” Nick said. “And here’s the photographer, Jennifer Carpenter.”

The couple shook Jennifer’s hand, congratulating her on her excellent work. Then the woman said, “My husband and I think the girls are so beautiful and precious.” She beamed at Jennifer. “So we want to adopt them.”

Like a mother bear protecting her cubs, Jennifer advanced on the woman. “You’ll do no such thing!” she exclaimed.

Nick stepped forward, trying to defuse the volatile confrontation. “What Ms. Carpenter means is that the girls have already been taken.”

“You mean someone has adopted them?” the woman asked.

“Well, they’re going through the process.”

“Who is it?”

Nick wasn’t sure what to say, but Jennifer had no doubt. “
I
am the one adopting them.”

“You and your husband?”

“No. I’m not married, but they assured me—”

“We’re a married couple. I think we might be better prospects,” the woman pointed out.

Nick reached for Jennifer. “Don’t say anything else, Jen,” he whispered.

Then he smiled at the woman, “If you’ll excuse us, we want to see the other portraits.” He led his little family away from the couple.

“I didn’t like them,” Missy said.

“Me, neither,” Annie added.

Steffi said, “Let’s go home.”

“Why don’t you three come with me and we’ll go get another malt while Mommy looks at the other portraits.”

The girls all readily agreed. Jennifer seemed torn. “I—I’m not sure I want to stay.”

“Go ahead and look at the other portraits. We’ll be back in half an hour and we’ll bring you a chocolate malt.” He hugged her for support, then with the girls all holding hands, he led them out of the gathering.

He felt sorry for Jennifer. She had so looked forward to the evening. She hadn’t expected a challenge to her adoption of the girls.

“Is Mommy sad?” Annie asked.

“Why would you ask that, Annie?” Nick hedged.

“Because she seemed upset with that lady.”

“Well, the lady thought she wanted to adopt all three of you.”

Missy popped up from the backseat. “You mean that lady wants to take us away from Mommy?” she demanded, outrage in her voice.

“I don’t think she can do it, Missy. Mommy has already applied to adopt you. I think she’ll get to do so.”

“I hope so,” Steffi said.

“Me, too,” Annie whispered.

“I know all of you love Mommy and want to be her children. I can assure you Mommy will do everything she can to keep you.”

They went through the drive-through and got five malts, three child-size and two adult-size. Afterward, they drove back to the exhibit and parked in front so they could look for Jennifer when she came out.

It didn’t take too long for Jennifer to emerge. Nick’s heart ached for her. Gone was that excited air she’d worn into the exhibit. Now she looked sad, discouraged, worried. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything would be all right. But he couldn’t.

There was a chance that the woman was right. Maybe the courts would look more favorably on a married couple. But Jennifer had taken in the girls for all the right reasons. The woman in the gallery had voiced a selfish reason for adopting the girls. She and her husband apparently owned a clothing line and thought they’d get advertising mileage out of adopting the girls and using them as models.

Jennifer got in the car, and Nick handed her her chocolate malt.

“Thanks,” she said, sitting quietly and sipping her drink.

By the time they got home, Annie was crying silently in the backseat, Steffi was sniffing and Missy was mad.

Nick picked up Annie to carry her in. Jennifer took the other two by their hands and headed into her apartment.

As always, Missy was the outspoken one. “But, Mommy, it’s not fair. You said we don’t need a daddy, right?”

“Missy, I don’t know. I’m going to call on Monday and see what they say.”

“Don’t worry about it, Missy. Mommy will find a way to keep you, I promise,” Nick said.

“Really?” Missy asked.

“Really.” He looked at the other girls. “Everything’s going to be all right,” he said firmly.

Annie nodded and Steffi said, “I believe you, Nick.”

“Good. Now, go get ready for bed so Mommy can tuck you in.”

When the girls left the room, Jennifer looked at him. “I appreciate the effort, Nick, but you shouldn’t have promised them.”

“Why not?”

“Because what if the courts do favor a married couple over a single woman?”

“Don’t you want to keep the girls?” he asked.

“Of course I do!”

“Then I guess you’ll have to provide what you don’t have.”

“You sound like Missy. Like I can simply produce a daddy on demand.”

“You can. He’s standing right here in front of you.”

“Nick!” she protested.

But he didn’t answer her with words. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply, longingly,
letting her know how much he wanted to be the daddy for the girls—and her husband.

Unfortunately, his actions didn’t convince her.

She pushed her way out of his embrace and answered the call from the girls’ room that they were ready to be tucked in. She kissed each of them good-night and Nick followed with a hug.

After closing their bedroom door, Jennifer walked into the living room, with Nick on her heels.

“Jen, I was serious when I offered to be the dad for your little family.”

“I can’t allow that, Nick. I know our futures will be very different. I won’t do something that I know is wrong.”

“What are you talking about?” he demanded.

“You are a novelist who is already on Hollywood’s radar screen. That’s where your future is, Nick. And when it’s time for you to go there, I won’t be hanging on to your coattails.”

“I’m not going to Hollywood, Jen. I’m not a Hollywood-type person. I’ve told you I’m a homebody. And my home is here with you and the girls.”

“Go home, Nick. Maybe your sacrifice won’t even be necessary. I’ll call Child Services on Monday and make some inquiries.”

“You don’t understand, Jen. I didn’t explain it right. I want to help you keep the girls. But the real reason I’m willing to marry you is because I love you. Period. Nothing more.”

“That’s very sacrificial of you, Nick. Now, go home.”

He pulled her in his arms for one more desperate kiss. She gave in to his embrace, resting in his arms, meeting his lips at every turn, until she finally withdrew.

“Good night, Nick,” she whispered, sounding a little like Annie.

He placed his forehead on hers. “We’re going to be together, sweetheart. Believe it.”

Then he left the apartment.

S
ATURDAY WAS THE DAY
Jennifer had chosen to have Billy and his mother to dinner. She believed it was necessary to become friends with Debra, Billy’s mother, if she was to be friends—no, family—with Billy.

Her greatest fear was that Debra might hate her.

She prepared the dinner carefully, but her mind was still debating the issue of the adoption. She hadn’t talked to Nick today, and she didn’t want to. It was too hard to resist his sweet offer. But she believed it would be the worst thing she could do. She would be holding him back.

However, he would be here for dinner. Hopefully, he wouldn’t offer marriage in front of Debra. That would embarrass her.

When there was a knock on her door, she hurried from the kitchen to open it. Much to her relief, it was Billy and his mother. She introduced herself and thanked Debra for allowing Billy to come visit her.

“My dear, I was delighted since you didn’t seem like your mother. Your father didn’t think we should have anything to do with her.”

“He was right, I’m afraid. Come in. Billy, can you introduce the girls to your mother while I finish in the kitchen?”

“Sure. Girls, this is my mom. Mom, this is Steffi. She’s six. Annie here is five. And Missy is three, almost four. Right?”

“Right,” Steffi said firmly.

“I’m delighted to meet all of you. Billy said you were charming, and he’s right.”

“Thank you,” Steffi said.

Jennifer smiled to herself as she heard the introductions from the kitchen.

When there was another knock on the door, she leaned out of the kitchen. “That should be Nick. Can you get the door, Billy?”

He did as he was asked. “Hi, Nick. Come meet my mom.” He made the introductions.

“I’m delighted to meet you, Debra.”

“Same here, Nick. Even though you recommended my son work for the FBI.”

Jennifer stuck her head out of the kitchen. “I’m glad you know it was Nick who made that suggestion.”

Debra laughed. “I’m not worried, Jennifer. Billy’s not ready to make a decision like that.”

“Oh, good.”

“Hi, Jen,” Nick said, but she noticed he didn’t come any closer to her.

“Hi, Nick. Dinner is almost ready.”

When it was, she sat Nick at the opposite end of the
table. And afterward, it was Debra who helped her clear the dishes, not Nick.

Billy leaned close to Nick. “Has something happened? Or is Jennifer not happy with Mom coming?”

“No, it’s not your mom. Jennifer is worried about keeping the girls.”

“Why?” Billy asked, startled.

Nick explained what happened.

“But you can be the hero and rescue the fair damsels!” Billy exclaimed.

“Jen doesn’t seem to feel that way. I’ve offered, but she told me no.”

Billy frowned. “I find that hard to believe. I could’ve sworn she was in love with you, too. She’s always watching you. And you seem to get away with anything you want. I always thought that meant a woman was interested.”

“I was hoping, but I guess I was wrong.”

“Maybe you’ve done something that upset her?”

“I don’t know what it can be.”

N
ICK REALIZED HE WAS
moping around his apartment, wasting time when he should be writing.

But he couldn’t help thinking about Jennifer and the girls next door. He was afraid she would lose the girls if she refused to marry him.

But he didn’t want her to marry him for just that reason. That wouldn’t result in a good marriage. His
mother and father had had a good marriage. They had loved each other first and then their children. That was why it had been so sad when his mother had been left a widow.

That was the kind of marriage he wanted. And that was the way he loved Jennifer. He was pretty sure it had been love at first sight, even though he hadn’t realized it. Love for Jennifer and the girls.

He wandered into the kitchen and poured himself another cup of coffee. Not that he needed his seventh of the day. But it gave him something to do.

Searching his mind for any other possible way to convince Jennifer of his love, he stared blankly out the window. Nothing came to him. He left the kitchen and wandered to the back windows that opened onto the backyard.

Laughter penetrated the window. He realized Jennifer and the girls were in the backyard with Blondie. He put down his unfinished coffee and headed for the backyard.

A
LL THREE LITTLE GIRLS
called out his name when Nick came into sight. He found their welcome heartwarming. But he would’ve liked Jennifer to greet him as warmly.

“Hi, Jen,” he said, stopping beside the umbrella-covered chair where she sat, reading.

“Hi, Nick. I’m glad you’re still speaking to me.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I was afraid I’d hurt your feelings when I said no to your sacrificial offer to marry me.”

She gestured to a chair beside her and Nick sat down.

“You didn’t hurt my feelings, honey. You broke my heart.”

She started to laugh, but the solemn look on his face stopped her. “Really, Nick, if you’re honest, you have to know that you have a great future in Hollywood.”

“No, I don’t know that.”

“Then, you’ll thank me later.”

“No.”

“Nick, you’re being difficult.”

“Hey, Nick, look at me!” Missy called out, hanging upside down on the side bar of the swing set.

“Terrific, Missy, but be careful.”

Annie waved to him as she sat in a swing, swaying back and forth, but her feet not leaving the ground.

Steffi sat on top of the slide, trying to get Blondie to climb up the slide to her.

Nick couldn’t hold back a smile at the homey sight.

The back door opened and Billy walked out on the deck. “I thought y’all might be out here,” he said, crossing over to the table to sit down.

“What are you doing here?” Jennifer asked.

“I just thought I’d drop by. Mom wanted me to bring you this,” he said, holding out a white envelope.

Jennifer read it. Then she passed it on to Nick.

Debra had sent a thank-you note for Jennifer’s hospitality and expressed how much she’d enjoyed the evening.

“Your mother has great manners,” Jennifer said with a smile.

“Yeah, she’s great, but it was a nice night. When we first got there, I was afraid you weren’t happy about Mom coming. Then Nick explained about the adoption of the girls.”

“I’m glad he explained. I don’t want you, or your mother, to get the wrong impression. It was…just so unexpected. I went to the exhibit, excited about showing my work, but I didn’t expect anyone to want to adopt the girls.”

“They are beautiful, Jennifer.”

She nodded. “They’re even more beautiful inside.”

“Like their mom,” Nick said softly.

Jennifer turned to him. “Thank you, Nick. That’s a lovely compliment.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Nick—” Jennifer began, the tension heavy between them.

“Hi, Billy!” Missy called as she came running up the stairs. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

Billy held out his arms and Missy jumped into his lap.

The other two girls came running up the stairs. But Annie tripped as she got to the top step and crashed onto the deck, her head hitting hard.

“Annie!” Jennifer screamed as she jumped up to reach her middle child.

But Nick got there first, cradling Annie against his chest.

“Annie, Annie, can you hear me?” Jennifer called, stroking Annie’s forehead as her eyes remained closed.

“We need to get Annie to the hospital. Billy, can you stay with the other two?” Nick asked.

Billy assured him he’d stay with them. “I’ll take them inside, and you can call as soon as you get word on Annie.”

“Right. Ready, Jen?”

“I don’t have my purse,” she said, and dashed into her apartment for it.