Читать книгу The Cowboy's Lullaby - Judy Duarte - Страница 7

Chapter Two

At the sound of Brianna’s voice, Jake picked up his pace and strode toward his baby sister. “Hey, munchkin. I’ve missed you.”

She hurried to meet him and lost a flip-flop in the sand. Faltering only a moment, she ran on without it.

When she reached him, he lifted her into his arms, catching a whiff of gumdrops. At least Ms. Haskell had kept her clean and shampooed.

“I didn’t think I would see you until a lot more days,” Brianna said, giving him a pint-sized hug that squeezed the heart right out of him.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t want to wait.” He brushed a kiss upon her cheek.

“You know what?” she asked. “Mommy went to see Daddy in Heaven.”

“I heard,” he whispered against her hair, his voice cracking with grief for her loss. “And I came to take you home with me.”

“Are you taking Chloe, too?” she asked. “She said I’m going to live with her.”

Over Jake’s dead body. And he’d lined up a legal team to make sure that wouldn’t happen.

“Hello, there,” a sultry, female voice said.

Jake turned to face a tall, shapely redhead who reminded him of Julia Roberts in her Pretty Woman days.

A scattering of freckles across her nose gave her a girlish appeal. But as his gaze dropped to a yellow bikini top and a pair of black shorts, he realized there was nothing remotely childlike about her body.

Damn.

Without a conscious thought, he zeroed in on a pair of long legs that could wrap around a guy, making his hormones kick up a notch and his brains leave town—permanently.

Double damn.

“Mr. Braddock?” she asked, reminding him it was his turn to respond.

He cleared his throat. “Yes.” And she had to be Ms. Haskell. Chloe. Desiree’s “dear” friend.

For a man who prided himself in maintaining control, he was having trouble finding his words.

“I’ve heard about you,” she said.

He expected her to continue with one of those standard remarks, something about it being a pleasure to finally meet him. But since she didn’t utter anything more, he wasn’t sure what she’d heard about him.

In his attempt to distance himself from his stepmother, he’d neglected to consider what Desiree might think of him, what she might confide in her friends.

Not that it really mattered, he supposed.

Chloe shifted her weight and placed a hand on a shapely hip. He tried to read her body language, but his gaze merely locked on an impish spark in those green eyes, the hint of a pair of dimples, the fullness of her lips.

“Since we have an appointment in Dallas on Friday,” she said, “it’s a bit of a surprise to see you in California.”

“I realize that, but I wanted to see my sister. I think it’s best if she has family near her right now.”

“Chloe’s my family, too,” Brianna said. “Mommy told me. They’re the same as sisters.”

“Oh, yeah?” Jake responded, sensing the showdown to come and prepared for it.

Yet when he glanced at Brianna, at the smile she wore, he realized this wasn’t the time or place for a confrontation. Maybe he’d better tread easy, make nice. Lay on the charm until he could take Brianna home, then let the attorneys fight it out.

Brianna tapped him on the shoulder. “Could you please put me down? I lost my shoe.”

He placed her on the ground, and she half hopped, half walked to get her missing pink flip-flop.

His full attention returned to Chloe, even though her presence had been nearly overwhelming once she’d come on scene.

“I have temporary custody of Brianna,” she said, “until we meet in Dallas.”

“Okay. But you’ll have to forgive me for being concerned about her. All of this came as quite a shock.”

Chloe crossed her arms under her breasts, causing them to swell before his eyes.

Didn’t she have some kind of cover-up to wear?

He fingered the collar of his crisp white shirt and adjusted the knot of his tie. According to the weather report, it wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near as warm in Bayside as it had been in Dallas, but it seemed as though he’d brought the heat and humidity with him.

“Brianna is doing as well as can be expected,” Chloe said. “Desiree tried hard to prepare her.”

“How can you prepare a five-year-old for something like death?”

“It’s difficult for anyone, I suppose.” Her voice was soft, laced with something. Grief? Compassion?

Whether it was sincere or not, he couldn’t say. “I’m sure you can understand why I wanted to come and check on her. And why I want to take her home.”

“She is home.”

Before he could object, Brianna ran back and grabbed one of each of their hands. “Are you going to spend the night with us? We’re having brownies for dinner. Chloe and I made them all by ourselves.”

“I, uh…” He glanced at Chloe, feeling as awkward as an adolescent on hormone overdrive.

“It would be nice if you stayed for dinner with us,” she said. “But from what I understand, you’re a very busy man. So maybe we ought to take a rain check. Brianna and I will be flying to Dallas on Thursday evening and will be staying for a while. You can spend some time with her then.”

She’d welcomed him to dinner politely, then blew him off at the same time, making it clear that she wasn’t going to allow him to take Brianna without him making a scene—something he wasn’t about to do.

Not if it caused Brianna any unnecessary sadness. She’d had far too much already.

“Maybe we can go to Buckaroo Roundup for dinner on Friday night,” he told the child.

She brightened. “That will be so fun. I like to ride the pony in the game room. Will you get me a bunch of tokens?”

“You bet.” A grin tweaked his lips. Score one for the home team. He’d make up for lost time as soon as they got back on his turf. Maybe he’d have to throw in a visit to the toy store, too. There was a lot he needed to make right.

In his attempt to avoid Brianna’s mother, he’d inadvertently steered clear of his little sister, too. And he regretted it. Especially now.

“You’ll like Buckaroo Roundup, too,” Brianna told Chloe. “They have ponies and other rides in the back room.”

His gaze locked on Chloe’s, and he sensed a don’t-underestimate-me vibe.

He wouldn’t. But she’d better not underestimate him, either. If she messed with the bull, she’d have to watch for the horns.

It was out of character for him to step down from a fight, to fly all the way to California, then leave without taking Brianna with him. But he didn’t want the little girl to sense the power struggle brewing. He’d just bide his time—until Friday.

So he tossed his adversary a what-the-hell grin. “I’ll see you in a couple of days, then.”

Jake might have lost this minor skirmish, but he was determined to win the war.

And win custody of his sister.

After all, Chloe shouldn’t be looking after—or influencing—a little girl.

What kind of woman wore a bikini to the park and fed brownies to a child for dinner, anyway?

As he strode toward the rental car he’d parked near the entrance of the condominium complex, he fought the urge to take another look at his pretty opponent. She had an attractive face and a dynamite body, but he doubted she had one maternal bone in her.

He just hoped she didn’t have much fight in her, either. He planned to put a stop to this foolish custody thing by the end of the week.

In spite of his determination to climb into his vehicle and not look back, curiosity won out, and he turned, only to find her eyes locked on him.

He tipped his head, acknowledging her. And in return, she lifted her hand and fluttered her fingers in a wave. Then she crossed her arms, causing her breasts to stretch the limits of that bikini top.

The summer breeze blew a corkscrew strand of red hair across her face and she swiped it away.

He couldn’t deny that looking at her caused his hormones to pump or his blood to heat. Heck, she’d have that effect on any man, he supposed.

But Jake had learned to control his impulses.

His old man might have fallen gray-head-overboot heels for a topless dancer, but Jake had more sense than that.

Still he had to tear his gaze away from her and force himself to head for his car.

On Friday, at a quarter to twelve, Chloe and Brianna sat at a table in the restaurant of the Dallas hotel in which they’d stayed last night, waiting for Mrs. Davies to arrive.

Barbara Davies was the housekeeper at the Brad-dock ranch and had been hired by Desiree’s husband shortly before he passed away. Since Brianna would need a sitter while Chloe was at the attorney’s office, Barbara was asked to meet them at the hotel.

Believing Brianna should be around people she was familiar with during this difficult time, Desiree had given the housekeeper a raise and secured her services through a three-year employment contract.

“Barbara comes across as stuffy and snooty,” Desiree had said, “but she’s good with Brianna. And she’s loyal.”

Chloe didn’t care for snobs, but she would have to trust Desiree on this one.

“There she is.” Brianna waved at a salt-and-pepper-haired matron in her late fifties.

The pleasantly plump woman smiled at the child and strode toward their table, waddling as she approached.

Chloe stood to introduce herself, but decided to wait until Barbara had addressed Brianna.

“Welcome back to Texas,” the woman told the child. “I’ve missed you, honey. That big old house isn’t the same without your smile.”

“I missed you, too. Did you feed my fish while I was gone?”

“I most certainly did. And I cleaned their bowl again this morning.” The woman turned to Chloe, her gaze assessing her in rapid fashion, her nose drifting upward in a self-righteous manner. Or had that only been Chloe’s imagination?

Either way, she reminded herself of Desiree’s acceptance of the woman and reached out her arm in greeting. “How do you do?”

Mrs. Davies took her hand in a firm grip. “Very well, thank you.”

“You’re a bit early,” Chloe said.

“Mr. Braddock always insisted on punctuality, and fortunately, I pride myself on being timely.”

“Well, good. Why don’t you join us for lunch?”

“I had a late breakfast, but maybe I’ll have a cup of tea.” The housekeeper took a seat and placed her black handbag at her feet. Then she glanced at her wristwatch. “From what I understand, the meeting is in an hour. Will you have time to eat, change clothes and drive to the office?”

“I’m only going to have a salad,” Chloe said. “And I’m already dressed.”

The woman’s brow twitched and her lips tensed. She fingered the silver cross on her necklace. “I see.”

Apparently she didn’t agree with Chloe’s choice of apparel—a form-fitting black dress. The stuffy/ snobby type rarely did. But then again, Desiree had given the woman her stamp of approval, so Chloe would reserve judgment.

“I suppose it might be more appropriate to wear something a bit more conservative,” Chloe admitted. “But I gave up dressing to impress others years ago.”

And she had the emotional scars to prove it, although she kept them hidden. Still, every now and again, they crept to the forefront, reminding her of who she was and where she’d come from.

In spite of the money her father had managed to parlay in his dealings and the prestigious private school he’d sent her to, life had been tough for her as a child. Her classmates at Preston Prep had not only been cliquish, but mean. And no matter how hard Chloe had tried to conform, dressing to their standards, it hadn’t mattered one bit. So she’d given up and had decided to wear whatever she darned well pleased.

Either way, the boys seemed to flock around her. And she’d soon learned how to use that to her advantage—advice she’d learned from Desiree, actually.

Lessons from Desiree #2: “Be proud of your assets and make the best of them.”

Chloe had not only taken that bit of wisdom to heart, she’d also put her own spin on it: if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

“You look pretty,” Brianna said. “Just like Mommy.”

Chloe cupped the child’s cheek. “Thanks, honey. I can’t think of a nicer compliment than that.”

Over lunch, Brianna chattered away about the friends she’d met in Bayside, as well as her visits to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

“I’m glad you had a good time,” Barbara said. “I plan to take my niece and nephew on a trip someday. Maybe I ought to consider the San Diego area.”

Twenty minutes later, after finishing the last of her salad, Chloe blotted her lips with the napkin, then reached for her purse and gave Mrs. Davies the key to their room. “We’re in 1410.”

“Are you going now?” Brianna asked.

“I need to visit the ladies’ room first and freshen my makeup. Then I’m off so I can get this meeting out of the way.” Chloe didn’t need to look at Mrs. Davies to sense the woman’s disapproval, yet old habits were tough to break, and she stole a peek anyway.

Yep. Brow furrowed, expression severe.

Over the years, and after innumerable disappointments, Chloe no longer gave a rip about what people thought of her, but sometimes, the lonely child within couldn’t refrain from seeking approval and respect.

But there was no way on earth she’d try to be someone or something she wasn’t. Not today. So she’d made up her mind to pull out all the stops when it came to dressing for this meeting. She’d done it for Desiree.

And for herself.

“Brian Willoughby and Jake Braddock are both rather conventional,” Mrs. Davies said.

“Good.” Chloe couldn’t help but smile as she scooted her chair back and stood. “Then this meeting ought to be interesting.”

“To say the least,” the older woman responded.

“Have fun with Mrs. Davies,” Chloe told Brianna. Then she placed a kiss on the little girl’s cheek, leaving a faint pink mark. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

As she strode toward the restroom, she tugged at the hem of the knit dress that had hiked up when she’d been sitting. It was something she’d wear clubbing, if she were inclined to do that sort of thing. As it was, even though she owned the proper nighttime wardrobe, her evenings were pretty quiet. Or as Desiree would say, pleasantly boring.

Chloe ought to be nervous about facing Jake Brad-dock again, she supposed. But sometimes it was fun to be a bit naughty and rebellious.

Especially around conservative men who valued being in control of those around them.

Jake sat in Willoughby’s office, waiting for Desiree’s “dear” friend to arrive. He glanced at his watch.1:32 p.m.

Some women didn’t consider themselves late until fifteen minutes had passed, but punctuality was important to him.

And Chloe Haskell was late.

When a buzz sounded on the intercom, the attorney responded. “Yes.”

“Ms. Haskell is here,” a woman’s voice said.

“Please show her in.”

Willoughby stood, and Jake followed suit. But when the attractive redhead swept into the room, wearing a curve-hugging, black knit dress and spike heels, Jake nearly dropped back in his seat.

Mercy. At any moment he expected to hear music in the background and Roy Orbison break out in song at the sight of her.

Hands down, Chloe was a hell of a pretty woman.

And too damn sexy for words.

“Please have a seat,” Willoughby said.

“Thank you.” She moved toward the chair next to Jake with the grace of a dancer, her eyes glimmering with sexual confidence.

Jake might have braced himself for a fight, but he hadn’t realized he’d have to buck his libido, too.

Interestingly, Willoughby didn’t seem to be the least bit fazed by her. And why was that?

Jake supposed it was because Desiree had always carried herself in a similar manner, and her attorney had grown used to it.

Well, Jake wouldn’t get used to it. Looking at Chloe all dolled up like that left him a bit unbalanced. And he didn’t like having the urge to stare.

Fortunately, Willoughby got them all back on track by reading the will. And per Desiree’s wishes, the estate was split between Jake and Brianna, which Jake didn’t have a problem with. But Desiree had appointed Chloe to look after Brianna’s holdings and her best interests until she was of age.

What kind of ogre had Desiree thought he was?

Jake would never put his own interests ahead of his sister’s, so his stepmother’s distrust cut him to the quick.

Chloe shifted in her seat, drawing his attention, then crossed a leg over her knee, flashing a lovely stretch of thigh. “What about custody of Brianna?”

Jake tore his gaze away from the sexy redhead and focused on the attorney. Chloe had only been granted temporary custody. Surely, Desiree knew the best person to have permanent custody was Jake.

“Desiree appointed you two as joint guardians,” Willoughby said.

“Excuse me?” Jake gripped the armrests of his leather seat. “That’s crazy. Desiree couldn’t have been in her right mind when she drew up that document. How in blazes can two people living in different states share custody of a child who will start kindergarten in the fall?”

“Let me read the letter she wrote, giving the details of her wishes.” Willoughby sorted through the pages before him, found what he was looking for and cleared his throat:

“Dear Jake and Chloe,

I’ve been dealt a crappy hand, but I’ll play it out to the end. I know this may be a bit out of the ordinary, but I hope you’ll understand where I’m coming from.

Brianna has lost her father and now me. No child should have to go through that, but I’ve tried to prepare her the best I can. Now it’s up to you. I know that you both love her. And interestingly enough, I believe that having the two of you share custody will be best for her. Jake, you favor your father in more ways than looks. And Chloe, you’re a lot like me. I’m hopeful that Brianna will be comforted by that.

I’m asking you to live together as a family at the ranch for six weeks. At the end of that time, I’d like you both to come to an agreement on how to make shared custody work.”

What? No way.

Jake wasn’t about to stay in the same house with a sexy redheaded bombshell who seemed to get off on taunting a man.

Willoughby continued to read:

“I realize you both are established in separate states, but maybe Brianna can spend the school year in Bayside and summer vacations, holidays and some weekends on the ranch. Either way, I know you both love her. And I expect you to learn to accept each other and become friends for Brianna’s sake.”

“A request like that can’t be legally binding,” Jake said.

“You’re right.” Willoughby placed the letter on his desk, then folded his hands over the handwritten note. “You don’t have to abide by her wishes, but she hoped you would agree for Brianna’s sake. It was Desiree’s sole desire to ease her daughter’s loss and help her to adjust to life without her parents. In fact, that’s why Brianna has been seeing a child psychologist in town for weekly visits, something Desiree also hoped you two will continue for a while.”

“Desiree explained her wishes to me weeks ago,” Chloe said. “And as difficult as it will be for me to remain in Texas, I promised her I would do so.”

“Well, she didn’t say squat to me,” Jake snapped. “I didn’t even know she had cancer. Or that she was dying.”

“Jake,” Willoughby said, “what’s done is done. But if Desiree told me once, she told me a dozen times. She wished the two of you had been closer.”

Jake raked a hand through his hair. Okay, so he’d been a bit…hardheaded. What would it have hurt to be…well, not friends, but…

He blew out a sigh. He should have taken the olive branch she’d tried to give him, but it was too damn late to do anything about it now. Either way, he wasn’t going to reveal his regret here. Or anywhere, for that matter.

“Desiree also asked that you return here in six weeks with your decision,” Willoughby added. “And, at that time, if you can’t agree, a preappointed third party is to evaluate the relationship between the child and each adult and determine who should be granted full custody, with fair visitation given to the other.”

“Who is the third party?” Jake asked.

“Desiree asked that the identity be kept secret so that there was no chance of influencing the decision. Of course, Mrs. Braddock was hopeful that it wouldn’t come to that.”

Jake suspected the psychologist was the person who would make the ultimate decision on custody. It only made sense. And, that being the case, maybe Jake ought to volunteer to take Brianna to her appointments so he could share his concerns with the doctor about Chloe’s ability to parent.

Willoughby reached into a manila envelope, withdrew something small and handed it to Chloe. “Here’s the key to the ranch.”

A chill hunkered over Jake, as he watched his father’s memories and essence be given to a stranger—at least, symbolically.

And what about Brianna?

Who would make sure she was okay during all of this?

Damn.

As it was, he had no choice but to agree with his stepmother’s foolish request to move back to the ranch temporarily. If they were all together, it would be easier for Jake to look out for Brianna’s best interests and make sure she was treated well.

And if she wasn’t?

Then he’d have firsthand evidence for the custody battle he would wage when Desiree’s fantasy family failed.