Charlie lifted his face, hope written across his features. “Like my dad?”
“I believe so, yes.”
“Good. She loves him a lot, and he loved her too.”
Not wanting to give Charlie time to think too much, Colin added, “Truth is, I also believe that they’ll be watching over you and Maisie to be sure you’re safe.”
“I know. I can feel her. She told me to look after Maisie.” He looked up at Colin, staring at him, his eyes watchful in some strange way, almost daring him to argue. Filled with comprehension much older than his years, the boy asked hisquestion, one that demanded an answer. “Why do you care about us? We only met you today?”
Caught off guard, Colin hesitated. He glanced at Jaqueline and saw the same question on her face and also on Maisie’s. Breathing deeply, he let his heart do the talking. “I don’t know why exactly, Charlie. It’s just something I’m absolutely sure about.”
Knowing he hadn’t convinced them, he continued… his heart completely open. “Have you ever met someone that you instantly feel comfortable with and know they matter to you? Like… a lot.” He aimed this question toward Jaqueline. “Like there’s a familiarity involved where you sense they’re supposed to be a part of your world. It’s almost as if you’ve dreamed of these people, and now they’re recognizable. That’s what happens to me when I see all of you.” He waved his hands towards them. “Like I knew you were always going to arrive, and now that you’re here, everything is finally right in my life.”
Silence reigned. No one spoke. It was as if they all had to absorb what he’d said. Finally, Charlie leaned against Jaqueline, hiding his face behind her arm. It was Maisie who broke the hush. “Can I have more pancakes, Uncle Colin?”
Chapter Eight
Jaqueline had no intention of fighting the unfightable logic that Colin made when he’d tried so hard to explain to everyone, including her, that he was hell-bent on taking over their lives. If the thought had made her uncomfortable or scared, she’d have bolted at the hospital.
But escaping hadn’t occurred to her. He’d given her a chance to opt out at the house, letting her know she could leave, and he’d find a way to deal with the situation alone. But the idea of not being involved with the children wasn’t acceptable.
While he’d tried to explain his reasons to them in the café, she’d made her own promises to herself. No matter what it took for them to take care of Charlie and Maisie, she would be all in.
After lunch, they brought the kids back to their house where she suggested naps and was pleased when they headed to the bedroom without a whimper or argument. In fact, Charlie spoke up immediately. “I’ll read to Maisie. She has a favorite book, and I know all the words. Come on, Mais.” Once the little girl headedinto the room, Charlie stopped to explain, “Maman always needed time to rest, and we got used to being on our own. We won’t be any trouble.”
Her heart did a somersault after hearing his serious plea, and she got the feeling that the little boy had decided to behave in the best way possible so they wouldn’t change their minds about looking after them. Colin returned from making his calls in the kitchen in time to hear what Charlie said. Once their door closed, he came over to Jaqueline and whispered, “The little guy is terrified we’ll leave them. I can’t blame him.”
“I know. It’s so sad. Did you contact the lawyer?”
“Yes. My own lawyer in B.C. has a buddy who works in Montreal – Cord Ballenger. He’s on his way here to help deal with this. Should be here by three p.m. He’s going to let me know as soon as he’s on the train, and we’ll have a conference call so I can explain everything. Cord seemed to think it might be a hard ask to keep the kids without being related. He figures there’s a possibility we’ll have to let Child Services take the kids into custody until we can get the courts to agree to let me foster them.”
“That sounds ominous and exactly what we don’t want to happen. Both kids are trying to keep it together, especially Charlie. If they separate them from us and each other, it won’t be good.”
Colin sat beside her on the couch. He patted the hands she couldn’t seem to keep still. “I know. It’s all happening so damn fast, like a runaway roller coaster.”
“Right, eh? First the snow collapsing on them, then their mother dying in the hospital, and now the court threat. Funny thing is, I wanted some excitement on this holiday, something I could take home and tell my gramma about since she gifted me this trip for Christmas. Truthfully, I never expected this landslide of stories.”
By her tone and from her words, Colin began to laugh. “Better not tell her everything. If she’s too old it could be detrimental to her heart.”
“Not my Gigi. She’ll love this story and be all in as far as helping with the kids. Not like Mum who’s a wee bit hard to deal with. Gigi’s a sweetheart. You’ll like her.”
“Then I’ll look forward to meeting her. We just have to clear these hurdles over the next few days and pray there won’t be any restrictions on me taking the kids back to Vancouver.”
“Once the judge hears that you’re a professor at the University of B.C., he’ll understand that you have commitments to fulfill, won’t he?”
“That’s what I’m praying happens. But I’ve watched Law and Order for years and from what I’ve seen, when it comes to the law, nothing is easy.”
Jaqueline giggled. “Practically a law degree comes with that show. Look, I was thinking, when you want to talk openly with your lawyer, how about I get a taxi to take me and the kids to the stores downtown so they can visit Santa, maybe pick up some decorations for the house. That will keep their minds off their troubles.”
Colin’s face brightened. “Would you really do that? It’s a fantastic idea.” He reached into his pocket and pulled a debit card out of his wallet. Then he wrote a number on a card with his particulars and passed it over too. “Here, buy whatever you want for them.”
Jaqueline laughingly teased, “You trust me with this?” She waved the card in front of her. “I saw a really beautiful tanzanite bracelet the other day in the window of Chancy’s for an exorbitant price that could be mine.”
He reached over to gently caress her face, his voice low and hoarse with emotion. “Buy it if you want it. Just treat the kidstoo.” Before he could add more, his phone rang, and he made a face of regret before walking away to take the call.
Shaken to her very core, Jaqueline didn’t move. No man had ever quite reached close to her heart before, and the experience left her shaken. Colin had no idea that his touch had left her wanting more… much more.
***
