Authors: Judy Christenberry
He had no choice but to comply. For now.
R
IGHT NOW
. S
HE NEEDED TO
get Mr. Nick Barry out of her mind right now. Her new neighbor had no business occupying her thoughts when she was in soapsuds up to her elbows and watching three little girls in the bathtub. Her attention had to be totally focused on her children.
But it was difficult. Not the bathing. The thinking. Every time she reined in her errant thoughts, they found a way back to Nick.
Truth to tell, the man was charming. Handsome. Great with the girls.
Not now, Jennifer! Now was the time she’d waited for, wanted so desperately. Her with Steffi, Annie and Missy.
One by one she took them out of the tub and helped them dry. “Did everyone get a clean nightgown and panties?”
Missy slapped a hand over her mouth. “I forgot!”
“Missy!” Steffi complained.
“It’s all right, Steffi. Come with me, Missy, and I’ll help you.” She’d carefully showed the girls where she’d put their new clothes earlier that afternoon.
She’d found out three days ago that she’d been approved as the girls’ foster mother while she waited for the court to approve her application for adoption.
As soon as she’d gotten work, she’d bought them each a couple of outfits and underwear and nightgowns to wear until they made a real shopping trip.
Missy clutched the clean clothes to her chest as they walked back to the bath. “Do I get to keep these?”
“Yes, of course, sweetie.”
“And I don’t got to share them?”
“No, Missy, these are for you all by yourself.”
“Good.”
She was learning a lot about children in foster homes. Missy and Steffi had regaled her with stories, many of which nearly broke her heart. Annie, on the other hand, didn’t say much, but she was the reason Jennifer had requested to foster the three little sisters until the adoption went through.
And probably the reason her request had been granted.
That and her uncle—a judge in the Dallas juvenile courts.
“Are you going to take more pictures of us?” Missy asked as they reached the bathroom.
“Of course I will. But not tonight.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“It’s too late for pictures tonight. You need to get in bed so you’ll get enough sleep to grow.”
Missy immediately stretched up as high as she could reach. “I’m going to grow
this
big!” she exclaimed.
“No, you’re not, Missy! Stop exaggerating,” Steffi said, always the big sister.
Jennifer chuckled. “Actually, Steffi, she probably will. Just not tonight.” She turned on the faucet. “Brush your teeth, girls. I bought each of you a new toothbrush.”
“Really?” Missy asked in awe. “A new nightgown
and
a new toothbrush?”
“Yes, Missy,” Jennifer said, laughing again.
She made sure Missy knew how to brush her teeth and helped the other two. Then after the girls dressed for bed, Jennifer led them to their room. She’d originally thought about giving the eldest child, Steffi, a separate room, since there were three bedrooms. But she changed her mind and bought a shiny red bed that was full on bottom and twin on top. That would allow all three sisters to be together.
For them, it was something new.
“I love our new bed, Jennifer,” Steffi told her as she tucked them in.
“I’m glad, sweetheart. I wanted you to have something that you’d like. And red makes me smile.”
“Me, too. And I like living here with you and my sisters.”
Jennifer bent over and kissed Steffi’s cheek. “I love it, too, honey. We’re going to be happy together.”
“Me, too!” Missy called. “Will we get to see our daddy tomorrow?”
Jennifer sighed. Why did Missy have to remind her of Nick? “That man is not your daddy, sweetie. We don’t have a daddy here. It’s just us girls.”
“Yeah” came softly from Annie.
Jennifer ducked down and kissed Missy’s cheek, too. Annie was on the far side, but Jennifer reached over to kiss her also.
“Good night, Annie. Sleep tight.”
The little girl stared at her with big brown eyes, a solemn look on her face. A look too old for a five year old.
Jennifer gave her a smile and then tiptoed to the door, turning out the light.
“See, the night-light keeps the room from getting dark. Is everyone okay with that?”
Missy and Steffi assured her they were fine with the night-light. Annie said nothing.
“Good night,” Jennifer called one last time before she walked quietly down the hall.
After she cleaned up and made herself a cup of instant decaf coffee, she sat down and sighed. She’d made it through the first day of her new life.
She’d picked up the three sisters this morning at ten o’clock and brought them back to her house after three days of frantic planning and shopping.
But the change had been set in motion three weeks ago, when she’d volunteered, as a professional photog
rapher, to take photos of foster children. The program was called the Heart Gallery and was taking place all over the country. These professional, quality photos replaced the horrible mug shots that had been all potential families had to look at.
It had seemed a more than worthwhile project to Jennifer. When she’d drawn three sisters to photograph, she’d been enchanted to find such beautiful children as her subjects. She planned to spend the day with them, photographing them, treating them to lunch, making a good memory for them. Since she and her mother were estranged, she thought it might make a nice memory for her, too.
Jennifer admired the bond between the sisters, even envied it. She herself had no siblings, except for a half brother whom she’d met only once. Her father, after divorcing her mother, had no intention of ever having anything to do with Jennifer or her mother. But since his death, she had thought about contacting her half brother. Spending the day with the three little girls convinced her. Jennifer’s heart broke when she recalled the photo shoot. Two of the three children smiled broadly, their personalities coming through the camera lens. It was the middle child Jennifer had trouble capturing. She’d coaxed and cajoled Annie, even taken the five-year-old in her arms. But Annie pulled away, as if in pain. That was when Jennifer discovered the bruises all over Annie’s body.
The child wouldn’t tell her how she’d gotten her
bruises. Steffi finally said that the “bad man” who lived in the foster house did that to her if she didn’t obey him fast enough.
Jennifer had called Child Protective Services and demanded that the girls’ welfare worker come at once. Six hours later, the overworked welfare worker arrived at her door. When Jennifer showed the woman the bruises all over Annie’s body and demanded the child be removed from her home at once, the worker had said she had nowhere to put her.
Without hesitation Jennifer had offered to take her. On a temporary basis, of course.
The welfare worker said she would have to be approved and that could take weeks. That was when Jennifer had called her uncle and demanded he do something.
With his help she was allowed to keep all three girls overnight, and the next morning she received approval to keep Annie. But by then she’d seen the love and need the three girls had for one another, and though it meant a huge change in her own life, she’d asked for custody of all three.
And today her new life had begun.
Only to be interrupted by her new neighbor, Missy’s “daddy.”
The new apartment felt like home fairly quickly.
He’d unpacked his two suitcases in record time and had put his toiletries in the bathroom. Aunt Grace’s personal items had been removed, so settling in was easy enough.
He smiled warmly when he thought of his aunt. He had such fond memories of the elderly woman. Though she hadn’t wanted to leave Yellow Rose Lane, she was simply unable to live by herself any longer. The assisted-living facility was close by, so Nick could visit her often.
Meantime she’d offered him the apartment for the remaining eleven months of her lease. It was all the time he needed. Grace had called the fourplex home for ten years, and her rent had never been raised the entire time, making his payment much less than what he was shelling out every month for a small place in Lubbock. He felt a little bad about taking advantage of the
owners, but he didn’t know them. Aunt Grace had told him to talk to her neighbor across the hall.
Jennifer.
Truthfully, he’d like to do more than just talk to the pretty blonde. But yesterday’s meeting hadn’t gone too well.
He fought the urge to go back to her apartment. He had things to do—like go to a grocery store and lay in some food. That was what a responsible man would do. He wouldn’t interrupt the beauty across the hall just because of his curiosity. That was the reason he gave himself.
Of course, he wouldn’t.
But when he opened his door, he didn’t go out to his car. He crossed the hall and knocked on her door.
He heard the sound of little feet running and Jennifer’s voice cautioning Missy not to open the door.
When the door opened, it was Jennifer, not Missy, who stared at him.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry to bother you. I need to go buy groceries, and I wondered if you could tell me where the closest grocery store is.”
“Yes. There are two close by.” She began giving him directions, and he sent her a bewildered look.
“I’m afraid I don’t know the roads around here. Could you draw me a map?” he asked politely. Then he noticed little Missy peeking around the door. “Hi, there.”
The giggle he received in response brought a smile to his lips.
Jennifer didn’t appear amused at his greeting. “Missy, go back and finish your breakfast.”
Little fingers curled in a wave and Missy ran back down the hall.
With a sigh, Jennifer said, “Come in and I’ll draw a map.”
“I really appreciate it,” he assured her. As he followed her into the kitchen, he sniffed the elixir he needed each morning.
“You made coffee? I mean, uh, what kind of coffee do you buy? It smells good.”
Another sigh. Okay, he hadn’t been subtle, but he hadn’t expected to smell coffee.
“Would you like a cup?” she offered.
“I’d kill for one,” he admitted in a low voice. Somehow, saying that even jokingly in front of such innocent ears didn’t seem right.
“Have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the breakfast table where the three girls were eating.
He joined them, trying not to look at the pancakes they were eating. He should’ve found a grocery store last night, but his stomach had been full. And he’d been tired.
Jennifer brought him a cup of steaming hot coffee. “Bless you,” he said.
She gave him a knowing look and turned away.
He closed his eyes as he sipped wonderful coffee. Without a doubt, he needed to know what brand she
used. When he opened his eyes to ask that important question, he saw that she was occupied at the stove again.
She turned around and put a plate of pancakes in front of him. Then she got him a knife and fork. “Butter and syrup are on the table.”
“I didn’t mean— You didn’t have to cook for me!” he exclaimed, feeling embarrassed.
“I was cooking for the girls, anyway. Eat them, don’t eat them. Your choice.”
He immediately reached for the butter and syrup. “I won’t turn them down.”
She was still at the stove and he realized she’d given him the pancakes she would’ve eaten. “Hey, let me cook those and you come eat.”
“No, I’m fine. Don’t let those get cold.”
He spread butter over his pancakes and added syrup. Then he took his first bite. “Wow, these are great, aren’t they, girls?”
Three little heads bobbed up and down.
“They just gave you a rave review, Jennifer, but their mouths were full. You couldn’t hear them,” he said, smiling at the kids.
“I know. They already told me.” She dished up her pancakes and joined them at the table. “This is a special breakfast today.”
“Ah, first breakfast since school got out?”
“Nice try, but I know Missy told you I was their
new
mommy. Did you think I kidnapped them?”
He smiled at her. She looked beautiful, dressed in
Bermuda shorts and a knit shirt. “If all kidnappers looked like you, no victims would ever complain.”
She glared at him.
“Just teasing. No, I didn’t think you kidnapped them. I figured I’d find out eventually what was going on.”
She took a bite of her pancakes and chewed slowly.
Nick said nothing else, enjoying his pancakes and coffee and giving her time. He’d learned that silence was a greater prompter than any words he could say.
Finally, she said, “I’m adopting the girls and right now I’m their foster mother. But soon I’ll be their real mother.”
“And they really are sisters?”
Missy giggled again, but it was Steffi who answered. “Yes, we’re all sisters, but we didn’t get to live together until yesterday.”
“You didn’t?” He turned to Jennifer. “You mean, the system split them up, or did they move into different homes because they, uh, became available at different times?”
“No, their parents…had an accident. Unfortunately no one foster home could take all three, so they split them up.”
“That’s barbaric!”
For the first time since he’d met the lovely Jennifer, she smiled warmly at him. “I thought so, too.”
“So how did you find them?”
She explained about the photographs for the Heart Gallery.
“And you decided to adopt them at once?”
“Sort of. I’ll explain later,” Jennifer said in a low voice that made him think of silk sheets and dark nights.
“Uh, okay. These sure are good pancakes.”
“I love ’em,” Missy said in agreement.
Since she had syrup smeared over half her face, Nick believed her.
“Thank you, Missy,” Jennifer said with a smile. “Have you finished?”
Missy nodded.
“How about you, Steffi, Annie?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Steffi said. Like Missy, Annie just nodded.
“Okay. I want you to go to the bathroom and wash your face and hands. No sticky parts, okay?”
They nodded, their eyes big.
“Then go to your bedroom. I laid out the clothes for you to put on. If you need help, call me,” she added with a warm smile.
Nick thought any kid would want to receive that smile. It certainly worked on the three little girls. They ran out of the room to do as she’d told them.
Again, Nick remained silent. He wasn’t sure she would still tell him about the girls.
She looked up. “Do you need more coffee?”
“Yeah, but let me serve you for a change.” He picked up her almost empty cup, as well as his own, and refilled them. Then he sat back down.
“When I got ready to photograph the girls, I had
some outfits for them to put on, just for fun. Annie was reluctant. When I reached out for her, I discovered she was covered in bruises. I was so upset, I scared her. She wouldn’t tell me how she got them. Finally Steffi told me the mean man at her house pinched her if she didn’t do as he said at once.”
She swallowed convulsively. “You’ve seen Annie. Do you think she’s a discipline problem?”
“No! How could— Hadn’t anyone seen the bruises?”
“Apparently not. I demanded the welfare worker in charge of Annie come at once. She made it six hours later. She, too, was upset by what she saw, but she said she had nowhere else to put Annie. And the charges would have to be investigated.”
“So they took her back to the same place?”
“No. She came home with me.” She explained about her uncle and all he’d done.
“Do you think you’ll be approved to adopt them?” he asked. When she glared at him, he added, “No offense, but I thought a single parent wouldn’t be— I mean, usually they look for a couple.”
“I’ll be approved. My uncle told me they don’t turn down qualified applicants.”
“I believe the girls will be fortunate if they get you for a mother, Jennifer. I didn’t mean any insult.”
“I’m a little touchy. My mother— Never mind.”
He sat there silently, waiting, hoping she would finish that sentence.
Finally, she said, with a bitter laugh, “My mother thinks I’m ruining my life by adopting the girls.”
“She isn’t happy to have three granddaughters?”
Again that bitter laugh. “My mother? She isn’t interested in being a grandmother in the first place and certainly not a grandmother to children that didn’t have her
exclusive
blood.”
“Ah, one of the blue bloods, is she?”
“Yes, of course! She was born and bred in Highland Park,” Jennifer said, naming an exclusive neighborhood in Dallas, full of prestigious homes and wealthy owners.
“I bet you were a debutante,” Nick guessed with a grin.
“Yes. I had no choice. But after I graduated college, I refused to play that role any longer.”
“Good for you. Did your mom withhold money to persuade you to change?”
“She tried. I got a job and paid my own way.”
“Well, you’ve certainly done well. These are nice digs.”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t be here without my grandmother’s help.”
“Good for her. And you’re a photographer?”
“Yes. Not well known yet, but, hopefully, I will be.” She took a sip of coffee before she asked, “What do you do?”
He paused, debating his answer. Which one of his careers did he choose? Remembering his agent’s stern warning, he chose the less interesting one. “I’m a teacher.”
“So you’re only here for the summer?”
“Maybe. I’d been thinking about moving to Dallas for a while. I’m going to see what’s available.”
“You realize if you try to renew the lease next year, the rent will go up, don’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought I should tell you since I know teachers don’t make a lot of money.”
“Like unknown photographers?”
She stiffened. “I told you I had help from my grandmother.”
“Sorry, that was out of line, anyway. If you’ll make me a map, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Of course. I’ll get pen and paper,” she said, still stiff, showing she hadn’t forgiven him. Rising, she left the room.
Nick cleaned off the table and loaded the dishwasher.
“What are you doing?” Jennifer asked as she returned.
“Hoping to get you to forgive me,” he told her, offering his best smile.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” she assured him, not meeting his gaze.
“Yes, there is. You’ve taken me in and fed me twice, and I’ve repaid you by being rude.”
“Please,” she said, pushing her chin-length hair behind her ear, “it doesn’t matter.”
“Jennifer,” Missy called out and they both heard the patter of her little feet. Before they could turn around
to look, she was in the kitchen with them. “Don’t I look beautiful?” Missy demanded, glowing.
Jennifer laughed, a sound full of joy. “You absolutely do, but you should wait for me to tell you, instead of asking.”
“But what if you forget?” Missy asked, puzzled by that social rule.
“Well, then I think you could ask.” Jennifer reached out to hug the little girl. “Where are your sisters?”
“They’re still getting dressed. They had lots of buttons,” Missy assured her.
“Okay, maybe I should go help them. And we have to brush your hair.”
“Oh.” Missy didn’t look very happy about that chore. “Sometimes it hurts.”
“Bring me the hairbrush and I’ll be gentle,” Nick promised, smiling at Missy.
“No, I’ll take care of it, as soon as I help the others finish dressing,” Jennifer assured him, and jumped up from the table to go to the little girls’ bedroom.
Nick sat there for a minute, knowing he hadn’t gotten his map, but he’d gotten so much more. Just as he started to stand and leave, Missy returned with the hairbrush.
“Don’t pull!” she ordered sternly, at least as sternly as a three-year-old could be.
“I won’t. Let’s move in here,” he said, leading the child to the living room. He sat down and pulled Missy onto his lap. “Okay, now, I’m going to be gentle, but if it hurts, tell me.”
“Okay!” Missy agreed. She was holding herself stiffly, reminding him of her new mommy. But as he worked on her hair, as he once had his little sisters’ hair, she gradually relaxed.
“There, you’re all done. Do you have a bow or a barrette to put in your hair?”
“Yes, I have a bow. I’ll go get it.” She hurried out of the room.
Nick hoped she returned before Jennifer did. When she came running down the hall, he thought he’d be able to finish his job before Jennifer appeared. But she called for Missy just before she reached Nick.
“Missy? Where are you? I need to brush your hair, too.”
“Nick did it, Jennifer!” Missy called out and kept running to Nick. She handed him her bow. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Definitely beautiful.” He gently pulled the long hair back and put the bow in place. “Perfect,” he said, and bent forward to kiss her on the cheek.
To his surprise, the little girl wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “I love you.”
“Missy!” Jennifer said sharply over Nick’s shoulder.
The child, with no fear, jumped down and ran to Jennifer. “Don’t I look beautiful?” she demanded with a big smile, using what appeared to be her favorite word.
“Yes, sweetheart, you do. I hope you thanked Nick for his hard work.”
“I did. Can he come with us?”
“No, we’re going to be shopping for clothes, and men don’t like to do that. Besides, he needs to go to the grocery store.”
“I could do my grocery shopping later,” he offered, watching her.
“No. It would be absurd to drag you along on our shopping trip. You’d hate every minute of it.”