Читать книгу Shadow Mountain - Leona Karr, Leona Karr - Страница 7

Chapter Three

Caroline was relieved that dinner was a casual affair served in a square room that resembled a café more than a formal dining area. The walls were knotty pine and undressed windows with open shutters overlooked a rocky slope and the lake below. Small maple tables and chairs were scattered around the room with no sign of the traditional long table. She suspected the lodge’s main dining room was closed off when so few people were in residence.

Stella had told Caroline that usually only relatives and close friends made use of the lodge, but Wes invited business associates and acquaintances to be guests a few times during the year.

Wes and Dexter had stayed behind to finish their drinks and the only occupant in the room when Caroline, Stella and the children entered was a woman with graying dark hair and strong Spanish features sitting at one of the tables. Her dress was a bright, exotic print with a matching fringed shawl and a stream of different colored beads hung around her neck. Large silver hoops dangled from her ears.

“Nanny, here’s another kid,” Cassie exclaimed as she bounded over to her. Pointing a finger at Danny, she added with a frown, “I don’t like him much. Does he get to play with all my things?”

The woman slowly set down her cup and rose to her feet. She was tall with a rather regal posture. Caroline guessed her to be in her fifties.

“No, sit down, Felicia,” Stella ordered, but the woman remained standing as Stella drew Caroline forward. “I spoke to you about Mrs. Fairchild and her son being with us for a few weeks. Well, this is Danny. He’s the same age as Cassie.”

Felicia’s dark eyes narrowed and she seemed to stiffen as she looked at Danny. Caroline wondered if she had already decided that the boy’s presence spelled trouble.

“I’m sure having someone for Cassie to play with will be a help,” Stella told her.

Caroline spoke up rather defensively. “Danny’s preschool teachers have found him easy to manage. He plays well with other children. If there’s any problem, I’ll want to know about it.”

“Such beautiful brown eyes, round and clear,” Felicia said, her expression softening as she looked at him.

Cassie shook her finger at Danny in a warning manner. “You have to do as she says.”

Danny stuck his tongue out at the bossy little girl.

To Caroline’s surprise Felicia laughed deeply, her earrings jingling as she nodded. Apparently, Danny’s rejection of Cassie’s bossiness amused her. “He’s a nice boy. You bring him to my rooms. We’ll all play and learn together.”

“Good. That’s settled then,” Stella said, just as Wes and Dexter came into the room.

“Mmm. Smells good,” Dexter said. “I’m hungry as a bear. Grrrr,” he said patting his stomach as he made a play move for Danny. He laughed when Danny backed up and gave him a wide-eyed stare.

“That’s enough, Dex,” Wes said and motioned Caroline and Danny toward a built-in buffet along one wall. “We don’t stand on formality here. We serve ourselves except for drinks.”

“Wait for me at a table, Danny,” Caroline told him. “I’ll bring you a plate.”

The choices were unbelievable and Caroline decided there were enough steaming dishes set out to feed a harvest crew. She had a choice of chicken, roast beef or barbecue pork ribs. There were several vegetable casseroles and potatoes oozing with butter. A platter of fruit was about the only thing that didn’t shriek calories.

Caroline selected a piece of chicken, modest servings of two kinds of vegetables and sliced oranges for both her and Danny. Wes, Dexter and Shane were in line behind her, filling their plates to the fullest.

Stella and Cassie took their plates to the table where Danny was sitting and as Caroline followed, she noticed that Felicia had left. She wondered if it was the nanny’s habit not to eat with the family.

As the two men and Shane sat together at another table, a murmur of conversation and laughter filled the small room. Almost immediately, as if there’d been some kind of signal to the kitchen, a rather plump, redheaded woman in slacks and T-shirt came into the room to serve the drinks.

“Trudie Benson, our housekeeper,” Stella told Caroline. “Her husband, Hank, is our wonderful cook and the two of them keep the place going. They’re recruits from the Texas ranch. Been with the Wainwright family for years. Wes brought them to Colorado when he was first married.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Before I was born,” Cassie piped up. “Daddy told me. Him and Mommy were lonesome until I came along. When she went to heaven, he was glad he still had me.”

“My daddy went to heaven, too,” Danny said as if he wasn’t going to be outdone. “And my mom’s glad she has me.”

Both Caroline and Stella choked back smiles. Competitive natures, both of them.

Caroline begged off staying downstairs after dinner. It had been a long day and both she and Danny were tired. To her surprise, Wes invited her to have an after-dinner drink before retiring, but she politely refused. She knew better than to fraternize with the boss.

After they were settled in their beds and Danny had said his prayers, she wearily closed her eyes and courted sleep. None came. After an hour of turning and tossing, she was still awake. The dynamics of her new situation and the people she’d met kept her mind whirling.

Wes Wainwright certainly had perfected an image of devoted father and unpretentious millionaire. But was it just a facade? What was he like, really? She doubted that he’d stay around long enough for her to find out. Even if he did, she was pretty sure he’d make his presence scarce while the redecorating was going on.

And what about Stella and her son, Shane? Stella must have been much older than the younger brother, Delvin, to marry and have a son of seventeen. She wondered what Wes’s wife had been like and what had happened to her. Caroline tossed all of this around in her mind until she finally fell into a restless sleep.

The room was filled with morning light when she came awake with a jerk. Danny was bending over her, his breath warm on her face. “Are you awake?”

“Almost,” she said and smiled as she cupped his face with her hands and kissed his forehead. “Are you?”

“Can we go home, now?”

“Not today.”

“When can we?”

“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly. Taking one day at a time was the only way she could cope at the moment. She wasn’t at all sure how this decorating job was going to play out. Stella’s temperament was certainly a question mark. Conceivably, the woman could throw her hands up at any time and fire Caroline without much cause.

Obviously, her brother-in-law, Wes, had no emotional investment in the project. Caroline suspected he’d be glad enough to have the whole idea scrapped.

And then there was Cassie. If Danny got crosswise with her in any serious way, her father would promptly show them the door to keep her happy. And Felicia wasn’t exactly the kind of nanny Caroline would have chosen. She didn’t seem the type who easily related to children.

WES WAS the only one in the room when they came down to breakfast. He watched as Caroline and Danny moved along the buffet. When she gave him a hesitant smile, he was glad he’d made the effort to come down early. He stood up and motioned for them to join him at his table.

He thought she looked trim and neat in light-blue slacks, matching jacket and simple white blouse. The first thing he’d noticed about her was her eyes. They were as blue and clear as a summer’s sky. Her brunette, wavy hair was short, casual and carefree. He liked that. He couldn’t stand women who were always fussing with their hair. His late wife, Pamela, had been the worst. She’d been a Texas beauty queen when he’d met and married her. Her appearance had always been uppermost in her mind. It got a little wearying at times.

As they sat down, Wes poured her coffee from a table carafe and offered Danny a carton of chocolate milk.

“I like chocolate best,” Danny said with a happy grin.

“I thought you might,” he said smiling as he poured it into a glass for him. He was a damn cute kid. Not as outgoing as Cassie, but he’d bet Danny was just as sure of himself in his own way. “Did you sleep well?” he asked Caroline as if the dark circles under her eyes weren’t answer enough.

“So-so. I guess I had a few things on my mind.”

As she sipped her coffee and looked at him over the rim of her cup, a feeling he hadn’t experienced for a long time stirred within him. Her features were totally feminine and her full breasts and rounded hips invited the caressing touch of a man’s hands. Her lips were moist and pink from the warmth of the hot coffee and he couldn’t help but imagine what they would feel like pressed against his. As he felt desire begin to stir, he looked away quickly and gave his attention to his cinnamon toast.

“Lovely view,” she said, looking out the window.

“This early in the morning the sun just brushes the tops of the trees,” he told her. “The mountains look as if they’ve been painted against the sky. As far as I’m concerned, the Colorado Rockies have the kind of beauty that makes life worthwhile. I hope you can relax, Caroline, and enjoy yourself a little while you’re here.”

“Stella said you wouldn’t be staying.”

Wes couldn’t tell from her tone whether it made the slightest difference to her one way or the other. He was used to women who welcomed his company and for some strange reason he wanted her to be one of them.

“I’ve changed my plans a bit—because of Dexter. I guess I’ll have to keep him company for a few days at least.”

The excuse was a lie. Dexter often spent time at the lodge or Wes’s Texas ranch when Wes wasn’t around. His old friend had been trying to make time with Stella for quite a while—without much luck. If Stella favored anyone it was Tim Henderson, the manager-caretaker of the property. Tim was a little older than Stella, quiet-spoken and didn’t jump when she threw her weight around. Their relationship hadn’t changed much through the years and Wes really didn’t know if they had a private, intimate relationship going or not.

“I hope Dex and I won’t be in your way,” Wes added, blatantly fishing for an assurance his presence would be welcome.

“I’m not sure how extensive Stella’s plans are,” she replied evenly.

“You may have trouble putting a leash on Stella’s wild ideas,” he warned.

“That isn’t my job. I’ve been hired to follow her wishes as best I can. My commitment is to please Stella and offer suggestions, but not implement my own ideas.”

“Then heaven help us both,” he said lightly. He was impressed with the firm way she set him straight. He liked that.

“More coffee?” he asked as he filled her cup.

Danny piped up. “Where’s that girl?”

“You mean Cassie?”

Danny bobbed his head. “Yeah, her.”

“She usually has breakfast and sometimes lunch with her nanny upstairs. They have a nice little kitchen apartment all their own. Maybe you’d like to join them sometime?”

Danny’s expression clearly expressed his lack of enthusiasm for such a happening. “I don’t like girls.”

Wes chuckled at the child’s display of disgust. Danny was all boy. Watching a son like that grow up would be a joy. Wes’s heart tightened just a bit. He loved his daughter, but he couldn’t help wishing he also had his own son to raise.

“Girls are a pest sometimes,” he agreed solemnly. “It’s too bad you’re not interested though. Cassie has a playroom filled with all kinds of fun things. And then there’re the ponies.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” his mother said quickly. “Danny’s never been around horses.”

“Maybe this is a good time to give him that opportunity. One of my staff, Tim Henderson, is very good with youngsters. He rides with Cassie almost every day.” Wes could tell she wasn’t sold on the idea. “What about you? Have you done any horseback riding?”

Her laughter surprised him. “I’ve ridden bareback, saddled up my own mount and even mucked out a stable or two.” She told him that her parents had been farm people.

“Well, I guess I’d better brush up on my own performance before asking you to go riding with me.”

“We could all go,” Danny popped up in a firm little voice.

Wes was beginning to like this kid more and more. “Good idea. How about this afternoon?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Stella—” Caroline started to protest.

“Let’s say four o’clock. She should be through with you by then.”

“Please, Mama, please,” Danny begged.

Wes could tell Danny’s mother was hard put to deny his eager expression. “We ought to take advantage of the nice weather. October can be unpredictable, especially in the high country.”

“All right, if Stella doesn’t object.”

“Good,” Wes stood up and ruffled Danny’s hair. “See you then, cowboy.”

CAROLINE AND Danny were just finishing their breakfast when Trudie Benson came in from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on an apron large enough to cover her rounded middle and asked, “Everything all right?”

“Great,” Caroline assured her. “Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Hank and I are happy just to see people enjoying the food.”

“Where is everybody?”

“The hired help eat early and the rest eat late. You’re kinda in the middle. Felicia and Cassie are having breakfast upstairs.”

“Could you tell me where their rooms are? I need to check with the nanny about looking after Danny while I work.” Caroline ignored Danny’s audible groan.

“Top of the stairs, turn to the right. Knock on the double doors at the end of the hall.”

Caroline thanked her and they left Trudie busily checking the buffet and coffeepots.

Danny hung back and grumbled all the way up the stairs.

“It’s going to be fun,” Caroline assured him. “Like daycare and preschool…only better. Just the two of you to play with all the toys.”

“Girls’ stuff,” he muttered.

“Did you notice her cowboy boots and hat? And she has her own ponies.” She smiled to herself as his frown disappeared.

“I guess she’s okay.”

“You’ll have your own special teacher, too. Felicia seems very nice. And this afternoon we’ll go horseback riding—if you behave yourself.” She wasn’t above a little bit of bribery when the situation invited it.

She found Felicia’s apartment on the second floor at the opposite end from their rooms. She knocked on the double doors. It opened slowly and Cassie peeked out. Her round eyes instantly fixed on Danny. “What do you want?”

“May we come in?” Caroline asked politely, ignoring the two children glaring at each other.

“We’ve already had breakfast,” Cassie declared with obvious satisfaction as she opened the door wider. “You can’t be sleepyheads and eat with us.”

“We already ate,” Danny declared triumphantly.

The apartment’s sitting room was quite spacious and light with the morning sun pouring through windows along one wall. Draperies, furniture throws and fringed gaudy lamps were various shades of red and purple. Artificial flowers were displayed on small tables covered with silk cloths and Caroline could smell an invading scent of potpourri coming from a cut-glass bowl.

Cassie pranced ahead of them into an adjoining room which was obviously the playroom of a very rich little girl. Even Danny’s eyes widened as he looked around at the games, toys, paints, clay and inviting electronic gadgets he’d only seen in toy stores.

Cassie knocked on one of the doors at the far side of the room and called out loudly, “That boy’s here.”

The bedroom door opened almost immediately and Felicia glided into the room wearing a long multicolored robe that swept the floor. Her salt-and-pepper hair was held back by a braided band and fell freely halfway down her back. If Felicia was embarrassed by her lessthan-formal appearance, there was no evidence of it.

“I hope we’re not too early,” Caroline quickly apologized.

“Not at all,” she said smiling and in a formal tone, she said, “Good morning, Danny.”

To Caroline’s surprise, Danny responded with a preschool ritual. “Good morning, Miss…Miss…” He fumbled for the right name.

“Felicia. Fe…lis…e…a,” she pronounced phonetically. When he repeated it, she nodded. “Very good.”

Danny beamed. Caroline began to relax.

“Cassie, why don’t you set up the race track for you and Danny? And let him have his choice of cars?” she prompted.

The car-racing game must have been a rare treat because Cassie’s frown instantly changed in to a wide smile. Caroline blessed Felicia for recognizing a pivotal moment and handling it so beautifully. The two children happily busied themselves setting up the track and positioning their choice of cars.

“Would you join me in a second cup of coffee while the children get acquainted a bit?” Felicia asked Caroline.

“Yes, thank you.” She doubted that Stella would be looking for her this early.

Felicia motioned toward the kitchenette. A small round table and chairs were in an alcove off the main room. Caroline didn’t see any dishes in the sink or on the table.

“You must have breakfast early,” she commented as Felicia brought cups and a coffeepot from an apartment-sized stove over to the table.

“Dawn is the best time to greet the world. Vibrations are at their highest then. All shadows of the night flee before the healing rays of the sun, you know,” she said as she sat down opposite Caroline. “Of course, Cassie wakes up several hours later.”

Caroline took a sip of coffee before responding to her unusual remarks. “I can imagine how a person could lose oneself in the grandeur of the surroundings. You must love being here.”

“I’m always ready to go back to sunbaked earth, clear skies and warm nights. Texas is home.”

“Have you lived there all your life?”

She nodded. “My parents worked on Wes’s grandfather’s ranch when they first came over the border. I grew up there. Sadly, Wes lost both of his parents while he was still in college but when he got married, he asked me to come and work for him.”

Caroline wanted to know how she had liked Wes’s wife, but she refrained from asking. Gossiping with the nanny wasn’t exactly the wisest thing to do.

“I really appreciate your looking after Danny.”

Felicia’s forehead was suddenly creased with thoughtful lines. She didn’t answer as she stirred her coffee.

She doesn’t want to do it. Now what?

“Danny really isn’t as difficult to handle as he might appear,” Caroline quickly assured Felicia. “He has a lot of interests and he wouldn’t demand a lot of time if he has something to do.”

Felicia set down her spoon and sighed deeply. “It isn’t that. He’s a fine little boy, I can tell that.”

“Then what?”

“Nothing,” she said but her eyes betrayed her words. There was a haunted look about them.

Caroline was suddenly uneasy. She’d leave the lodge in a minute if she felt it wasn’t safe leaving Danny in this woman’s care.

“If there’s something that might affect my son, I need to know it now. Tell me.”

Felicia took another sip of her coffee, carefully holding the cup steady with both hands. Then, slowly, she set it down and took a deep breath.

“I’ll let no harm come to your boy, I promise.”

Whatever reservation Felicia had had in her own mind seemed to be resolved. In the weighted silence, they could hear the children squealing in the other room. Danny was cheering and Cassie was laughing deeply.

“It will be good for them to be playmates,” Felicia said as she reached across and patted Caroline’s hand. “You do your work and I will take good care of your son, I promise. I have taken care of Cassie since she was born. They trust me and so should you.” Her dark eyes hardened. “You pay no attention to what anyone says. Today is not yesterday.”

Caroline wasn’t sure what Felicia meant by that cryptic remark, but she knew that she wouldn’t rest easy until she found out.