“An actor?” Mrs. Hunter glares at Jack. “Why is this news to me?”
“Come and sit down, Mom.” Jack urges her to the table and pours her a cup of coffee. “I’m sure you have many questions. We have all day. Ask away.”
I cringe, waiting for a putdown, and wrap my trembling fingers around my cup. I meet my mother-in-law’s cruel expression. “Yes, an actor. It’s a well-respected profession and has been for many years.”
“If you say so.” Mrs. Hunter lifts her chin and her beady eyes move over me. “All the women are fake. They’ve had so much cosmetic surgery men don’t know what they’re really getting until the children come along looking like gargoyles.”
I meet her gaze. “I haven’t had any enhancements. This is my real hair color. In fact, my life is an open book and I have nothing to hide from Jack.”
“They all say that.” Mrs. Hunter shakes her head and stands abruptly. “Peter, I want to go home—now.” She bends to kiss Jack on the cheek. “You need to fix this right away.” She straightens and then storms out of the door with her husband on her heels.
I swallow the bile creeping up my throat and turn to Jack. “That went well.”
“Well, at least Dad likes you.” He shrugs. “Don’t worry, Mom is a little prickly at times but she’ll come around.”
The woman’s disgusted gaze is imprinted on my mind. I’d made an instant enemy. “Somehow I don’t think so.”
FOURTEEN
MONDAY
I really enjoyed our Sunday alone with the children. They are exhausting but so much fun. I believe Ava needs a mom—someone to just have fun with and shop until we drop at the mall. We made popcorn in the afternoon and watched kids’ movies. Ava chatted all day and, from what she tells me, Jenny keeps a very close rein on them. Noah is delightful, and when he asked me to give him a cuddle, my eyes became all misty. I figure they’ve wanted a mom for a long time and they understand Jenny can never fill that role. When we tucked them into bed, I read Ava a story and she smiled so sweetly. I do believe I’ve made a good impression. It’s wonderful how kids accept a person on face value and give their trust without reservation. I admit, I wasn’t expecting it but I’m so glad. In a few hours, I’m part of a family. It’s surreal.
I dress quickly, aware of the time limit, with the kids going to school this morning. Out of the blue, Jack surprises me by giving me a password to his corporate account. I stare at my phone and then look at him. “Isn’t it dangerous to give this information to me? What if I lose my phone or something?”
“Take a look at the message again.” Jack slides into his jacket and gives me a slow smile. “It says, ‘here is that numberI promised to send you.’ It doesn’t mention anything about my company or which account it opens. Once you get onto the website, you’ll use your name to log in. I set that up for you last night. There’s a dropdown file on the left. Go to blueprints and specifications. It will ask you for a password. Use the one I sent you and search for Beauford Manor. There’s everything there I have on the renovations over the last fifty years or so but there are documents held at the city clerk’s office and they have an online database if you need to go back in time.” He smiles at me. “If you need any help, Ruby will be here until ten; she’s chasing up clients. Her office is next to the kitchen. Sue will point you in the right direction.” He checks his watch. “I gotta go. I wish I could spend more time with you, showing you around, but I guess you have the general layout of the house by now?”
I go on tiptoes to kiss him. “I’ll be fine. I have a ton of things to do.”
“Great. The kids will be ready for school and I like to be there when they leave.” He picks up his briefcase and holds out a hand to me. “They like you. Ava figures you look like a princess in one of her fairy tales.”
The children surprised me with their openness. They chatted with me over breakfast as if I’d always been there and asked so many questions. My head is still buzzing from the chatter. “I like them too. They seem very contented. Jenny has done a fine job of raising them; it must have been difficult for all of you when Laura died.”
“They were a little confused and Ava asked for her mom but Noah was very young and he spent most of his time with Jenny. Laura loved the kids but Ava was the favorite, she doted on her; and Noah has always been loud. I had his ears tested in case of deafness but he’s just loud.”
We head down the stairs and meet Jenny and the children by the front door. I stand to one side as Jack hugs and kisses both kids.
“What do we call you?” Ava frowns and looks at Noah. “Noah wants to call you ‘mom’ because we don’t have one and it would be nice but Jenny says Dad will be sad if we call you ‘mom.’”
“I don’t want to call you ‘stepmother’, it’s silly.” Noah’s blue eyes meet mine and his cheeks pink.
“I’d be happy for you to call Willow ‘Mom’ if that’s what you want.” Jack looks at me and I see him misting up. “Would you like that, Willow?”
Speechless, I can’t believe they want this after just meeting me. I look from one child to the other and then bend and open my arms. “I would love that. Thank you so much.” They run into them.
Tears wet my cheeks and then the moment is over. The kids give me a hug and then tear out the door with Jenny and into the Range Rover. I turn to Jack as his arm slides around my shoulders. “I’m stunned.”
“I’m not.” Jack squeezes me and then drops his arm. “They’ve been asking when I’ll get them a mom for about two years now. I believe with the current high divorce rate the turnover of moms and dads at their school is quite frequent. Changing a parent has become the norm.”
I blink and look at him. “I hope that’s not why you married me?”
“Oh, Willow. I have Jenny. She’s as close as any mother could be.” Jack snorts with laughter. “I married you because I love you. If there had been any doubt, I’d have asked for a prenup. Them liking you from the get-go is a bonus I could never have dreamed of.” He bent to kiss me. “I’d better go before I carry you back upstairs.” He turns and hurries to his Porsche and drives away with a wave.
I watch his car get smaller as it vanishes from sight and then go to his office. I boot up the computer and log in to the company files. I find what I’m searching for and sit scanning the blueprints. There have been many changes to the house over the years. I hear footsteps in the hallway and look up as Ruby sticks her head inside the door.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Ruby smiles at me. “Did you find the files you need?”
I smile back. After our first hurried meeting, she’s been pleasant and helpful. I nod. “I have but I’d like to print some sections of the house plans. Is there a printer anywhere I can use?”
