Looking up, Jordan grinned. “Because Daddy said you were.”
Doubtful he’d meant it in a good way, but she wouldn’t tell her daughter that.
“At bedtime, Daddy sometimes tells me the Mama story.”
“The Mama story?”
“Uh huh.” Jordan eased back so Chelsea could see her face. “A long time ago, a handsome park wanger met a princess at Jordan Pond, and she was the most beauuuuuutiful he had ever seen. Even more beautiful than the lake.” The child’s eyes almost bugged out of her head when she stated this.
“And when he saw her, he knew she was missing from his life. And he gave his heart to her.”
Oh, God, had Theo really told this story to their child? Biting her lip to keep it from trembling, she listened as Jordan continued.
“And they did lots of stuff together, and her favorite ice cream was Moose Tracks, like mine. And they got married on the little wooden bridge at Jordan Pond and said they would love each otherforever.” Her little voice grew strong at the last word.
When Jordan’s face fell, she knew what was coming next. Didn’t want the story to go on.
“But the princess had to go away. The park wanger didn’t want her to go, but she had to. She said she would come back, but until she did, she sent him a special gift so he wouldn’t be lonely. It was a piece of her heart, and it was a little baby named Jordan Marie.”
Leaning in closer, the girl whispered, “That was me. Daddy always said you would come back, and now you did.”
Jordan threw herself into Chelsea’s arms again and hugged her like she wouldn’t let go. The embrace was returned enthusiastically. Holding her child seemed to make everything right.
Easing back, Jordan squinted. “Do you still love Daddy? Forever?”
Glancing at the door to see if Theo was nearby, she answered, “Yes, I do. Forever.” It was the truth. No matter what had happened, Theo had her heart.
“He loves you, too. Forever.”
Unlikely. He’d probably said it to enhance the story. How she wished it were true. With all he’d thought she’d done, there was no way he could possibly still have feelings for her, and emotions weren’t something you had much control over. She should know. She’d never had any control over hers.
“Do you like games? I have Candyland, and Daddy says I’m a wiz. That means I’m good. Do you want to play?”
Her ping ponging from clingy to playful took Chelsea aback, but she simply smiled and nodded. “I’d love to.” There wasn’t much she wouldn’t do to spend time with her baby.
Jordan set up the game and handed her a little gingerbread player, then started explaining what to do. It wasn’t something Chelsea had done much as a child, since she’d mostly had nannies who didn’t feel that sitting on the floor playing board games was in their job description.
After Jordan beat her three times, they switched to Chutes and Ladders. When her phone vibrated, she hated to take her attention away for even a second. Not many people had this new number. Sure enough, it was Frank Haggar, her father’s business manager. He’d taken over the company when her father had died.
—Where are you? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you, but you haven’t been at the house all week.—
Her fingers flew over the screen.
—I’m at my grandmother’s place in Maine. Not sure when I’ll be back.—Frank didn’t need to know all the details of what was happening in her life. His job was to keep the pharmaceutical company her father had owned running.
—I need you back here for some major decisions.—
What did she know about running a multi-billion-dollar drug company? Nothing. Maybe if Frank knew a little bit, he’d understand she needed to stay here.
—My husband is still here, and he has my daughter—the one dad said died. I can’t believe he did that. Did you know?—
—Husband and child? What are you talking about?—
Frank had been at the company for years, but it had only been in the last three or more that he’d moved into her father’s inner circle.
—Never mind. I’ll tell you later.—
—When are you coming back? There are decisions that need to be made about your father’s company—your company.—
