Eloise's eyes lit up. "Thanksgiving is only two days away. We should get her rooms ready. I'll ask one of the maids to clean out the suite next to yours. It's a little small."
"I'm sure, she's not going to mind how 'tiny' the room is."
His mother laughed at his teasing tone, happy that he was out of his funk. The poor thing had looked so unhappy.
She turned to her daughter. "Seeing the two of you together, shows the resemblance even more."
"She's a beautiful child, inside and out." Kat nodded, her eyes sparkling. "I cannot wait to take her shopping. Romano's has the best children's section and one floor completely dedicated to girls."
"We'll take her shopping."
The men sat there in contented silence as the women planned and argued about a child who had just entered their lives.
Cade sat back, watching the animated faces around him, a small, reluctant smile tugging at his mouth. For a moment, the warmth of family and the gentle stirrings of anticipation eased the guilt that gnawed at him. He thought that this holiday would be different. Healing was possible after all.
*****
"He wants her for Thanksgiving or Christmas." Abby accepted the glass of wine her mother placed on the counter in front of her with a brief smile. She had brought her daughter in, changed her clothes and tucked her in. Zoe had woken up long enough to ask where her daddy was and when she could see him again.
She had also chattered for some time about her 'Aunt Kat'. "Like a kitty cat." She added with a giggle. It had pierced her heart and made her feel as if she had already lost her little girl.
"That's to be expected." Arlene sat next to her and put a hand over hers on the counter. "You cannot fault him for wanting to spend time with her."
"I can damn well do." Panic was making her angry. "She's going to go to that mansion and see all those people and come back here feeling the lack. They will want to impress her, give her presents and take her shopping, dazzle her with their unlimited resources."
Putting aside the wine, she tipped her head to her mother's shoulders and wept.
Chapter 9
He decided to drop by the bookstore. She might not be there, but he had to take the chance. He had left things hanging after the argument and did not like anger festering between them.
They had a daughter to think about, and they would damn well put aside their grievances and concentrate on that beautiful little girl. He had told her he would wage war, but he did not mean it. All he wanted was to be with his daughter and if he was feeling conflicted about the mother, well, he would deal with it. But they were going to have it out.
She had not called him about the holidays, and he was not going to leave until they firmed things up.
He had taken his lunch break and told the very efficient Lilieth that he would be away for an hour. "Just cancel my noon appointment. I have something that needs taking care of."
The woman, bless her professional heart had simply nodded and said she would deal with it.
He drove into the almost overflowing parking lot and simply sat behind the wheel, absorbing the atmosphere. He had admired the setting the first time he came here. The gentle swell of land, the benches tucked beneath trees, tables strewn over greenlandscape, the fountain sprouting water as clean and as clear as crystal.
It was something similar he wanted for the publishing house. A place that looked more like a home away from home instead of a business. He wanted that comfortable and cozy ambiance.
Taking a deep breath, he alighted the vehicle, stepping out into the brisk wind. Thanksgiving was tomorrow and people were doing their last minute shopping.
Pushing the double glass doors open, he stood in the center of the room and watched as people milled around the shelves. A toddler was plopped on the floor, in a fit of tantrum, the panicked and clearly embarrassed mother, trying to soothe things over.
An elderly couple, walking hand in hand, stopped at the historical section to browse. The sounds of laughter mingled with conversation vied with the classical music playing over the hidden speakers.
Someone came over, the same blonde who had approached him when he came here before.
She greeted him with a warm, practiced smile, her eyes flickering with recognition. "Welcome back," she said, her voice soft but confident, "Is there anything I can help you find today?"
He hesitated for a moment, glancing around as if searching for an answer among the bookshelves, before finally telling her he was looking for Ms. Abigail Blake.
The woman's eyes sharpened, but she nodded and pointed him to the stairs that led to the third floor.
He left the noise and quiet confusion of the first and second floors and stepped into the quiet. A bank of offices greeted him, with name plaques to identify who was who.
