Forever a Father Read online

  She arrived in his office, sat, brows lifted, eyes sparkling like they had all through lunch. So alluring, so off-limits. Guilt filtered through him. Nip the attraction in the bud, and file it under the heading of survival. He swallowed and forged ahead, but not before noticing her delicate fingers lacing and unlacing in her lap. He’d made her nervous and he hadn’t said a word. Already feeling like a heel, he so hated what he was about to do.

  “So here’s the deal,” he said in a firm tone, skipping any niceties. “We’re going to be challenged like never before with the City College athletes. I’ll be spending time away from the clinic to attend their practices and games, and more responsibility will fall on your shoulders. So my question is, are you up for that?”

  She sat on the edge of the chair in his office and nodded, her smile gone, a serious stare replacing the earlier glow. The power he wielded over her as her boss pinched behind his sternum, but he couldn’t back down.

  “I can’t settle for excuses about back East weather holding up our supplies. It’s unprofessional and can’t happen again.”

  “I’ll do my best to keep us stocked. If you give me the okay, I’ll order far in advance or set up a standing order. It’s just we’ve been counting pennies until now.” Her fingers kept lacing and unlacing.

  “Not anymore.” This was his lifeline. The clinic had saved him after losing baby Emma, and when Kathryn no longer needed or wanted him. He shuddered when he considered what he might have done without the support of his family and this business venture to pull him through. This 4Cs deal gave him the chance to morph from struggling and heartbroken to successful businessman. His personal life might still be in shambles, but dammit, this clinic would shine because he was in control of this one thing. Work.

  “From now on we have to work like a fine-tuned engine. Every minute will be put to good use. Last-minute childcare issues will be your issue, not mine. That can’t happen again. Got it?” Because he might not survive spending another afternoon with her daughter and the heart-wrenching feelings it had brought up of Emma, innocent and helpless, and beyond his control to save.

  How could he expect Keela to never have childcare issues or for the vendors to never screw up? She sat quietly, and he felt like an ogre reading her mind, but he continued full-on. “Can you deliver? Because your job depends on it.” There, he’d said it—given her an ultimatum, his employee of the month, and he’d just entered the running for despicable boss of the year.

  She looked stunned, anxious, chewing her lower lip as what he’d just said registered. “Yes. Of course.” Insecurity had slipped into her voice.

  “Good.” She needed her job; what else could he expect her to say? Bastard.

  He forced himself to look at her again. Seeing her squirm over the possibility of losing her job made him queasy, the mistrust he’d just planted in her usual open and honest gaze made him want to kick himself, but he ground his molars and kept quiet. She rose, serious and quiet.

  He swallowed with difficulty. Great going. He’d just successfully ripped the shine off their luncheon and put fear and dread into the best employee he’d ever hired.

  Once she’d left, he followed her out of his office, on his way to the reception desk in hopes of finding a fresh pot of coffee. Hating how he felt, he swore to never have a beer at lunch again, no matter how much he had to celebrate. What a mess.

  That evening, when Keela left for home, she didn’t stop at his door to say good-night like she usually did. He’d been a complete ass, so what did he expect—Mother Theresa?

  She didn’t deserve to take the heat for her ex-husband hanging her up at the last minute, but Daniel had heaped it on her anyway. Wasn’t the mark of a good boss compassion, and shouldn’t a skilled businessman be able to find a balance between laying down the rules and reading a riot act? Sitting behind his desk, he dropped his head into his hands.

  Spending an afternoon with Anna the other day had nearly been his undoing, seeing what he’d never have, grieving over a frilly tutu. Wishing life could be different. Then today, he and Keela had looked at each other in a special way during lunch. Beer or no beer, he’d felt that zing down to his toes. And for an instant he’d wondered if life could be different. The mere thought of opening up to a woman again had scared the egg rolls out of him, yet he’d considered it for that single moment. Just now he’d overcompensated for both instances by hiding behind the tough-boss act.

  And it sure as hell didn’t feel right.

  * * *

  Friday morning Daniel appeared at Keela’s office door. She’d come in a few minutes early to make sure she was up to date with all her supply orders, and also to mentally prepare for her appointments lined up for the day. He looked...regretful maybe, or was that what she’d wanted to see because he’d been tough on her yesterday? “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi.” He stepped inside. “Okay if I sit?”

  “Of course.” She stopped what she was doing to give him her full attention.

  “I need to apologize for being a jerk. I was being unreasonable and I came down too hard on you yesterday evening.”

  “You were right, though. I wasn’t assertive enough regarding the supplies. That company isn’t the only one and I should have made some waves. And I should always have a backup plan where Ron is concerned. It was just that Mrs. Jenkins had that hair appointment.” There she went, overexplaining out of insecurity. “I won’t let that happen again. Promise.” She said everything the way she’d practiced on her drive in that morning, fearing her job was at stake if she didn’t.

  “I thought I was supposed to be apologizing to you.” He stared at her for a second while considering her carefully prepared explanation. “I won’t let it happen again, either. Promise.” Then he stood, turned and left.

  After she’d married Ron and Anna had been born, Keela had tried hard to please him. She’d done it because she could tell his attitude toward her had changed. He’d had to marry her out of obligation, and though he’d never said it aloud, he’d always sent the subtle message: he was doing her a huge favor.

  Just now, with Daniel, she’d fallen into an old and bad habit of bending over backward to please. But Ron had always managed to find fault somewhere, somehow, no matter how hard she’d tried. She was never good enough—like having a daughter instead of a son. Once she’d made a mistake, he’d never let her off the hook. Eventually, she gave up even trying to please him, feeling such a failure, and he’d used that as an excuse to seek a relationship with someone else. Like it was her fault! Once a self-assured young woman, Keela had become unconfident, always doubting and second-guessing herself.

  Now, under Daniel’s scrutiny, she’d reverted to old habits. Maybe because all men were the same? But Daniel had apologized, then listened to her explanation and apologized again. In that regard, he was nothing like her ex.

  * * *

  Daniel finished his intake assessment of the quarterback of the 4Cs football team and arrived in his office to find the telephone light blinking.

  “Your mom’s on the phone!” Abby called from the reception desk, making him wonder how long she’d been on hold.

  He’d been keeping busy all morning to avoid his thoughts about how he’d come off as a boss, how he’d intentionally intimidated Keela and how lousy he felt about it, and he knew any conversation with his mother would draw him back into the realm of the thinking and feeling. He considered asking Abby to tell her he was busy, but caught himself. Mom always knew when he was avoiding her.

  “Hey, Mom, what’s up?” He opted to sound rushed and on the run.

  “Hope I’m not interrupting anything, but I’ve had a brainstorm and just wanted to run something by you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Dad and I have been discussing how to draw more visitors to the hotel this season, and I got the bright idea to add more amenities. You know, like massages and faci
als. My hairstylist has a part-time esthetician who would be willing to do some moonlighting, but I’m at a loss for where to find a massage therapist. You’re kind of in that biz, right? Any thoughts?”

  He pulled in his chin. He wasn’t exactly in that biz. He didn’t run a spa, but he did happen to know a former massage therapist turned PT tech. “Keela.” For all the times she had to chase down her ex for child support, he figured she could use some extra money.

  “Keela?”

  In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. This would give him a reason to talk to her again, and to hopefully mend the damage he’d caused yesterday afternoon. He hated how things felt in the clinic today, all strained and quiet. Even though he’d apologized, he suspected that wasn’t nearly enough.

  “Yeah, Keela. Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t I bring her to Grandda’s birthday party on Sunday and you can talk to her about it then. What do you say?”

  “Sounds good to me. She has a daughter, right? Tell her to bring her, too.”

  “Sure thing.” Daniel hung up feeling more positive than he had all day. Problem solved?

  * * *

  When Keela passed Daniel in the hallway, he gave a reassuring smile, the first she’d seen from him all day. Though it did seem forced, it was better than the grim face he’d been wearing. He didn’t look like a man who wanted to fire her on the spot, which helped her breathe a bit easier. By her second-to-last appointment that day, there he was hanging out in her office doorway again. What was up?

  He appeared uncomfortable, as if he might have to tell her some bad news. More bad news? A sudden chill traveled up her spine. Insecurity made her wonder, what if he was going to fire her? She was still in the probationary period, and he had the right to call the shots on her future. Now the chill turned to a cold hard lump in her stomach. What would she do if he did?

  “Are you available on Sunday?”

  Wait, what? “Sunday?” Did he expect her to work weekends now, too? She would if it meant keeping her job.

  He stepped inside her office but remained standing, a torn expression on his face.

  “Yes, Sunday, it’s my grandfather’s birthday, and we’re having a big party. I thought you and Anna might like to come. It’s my way of trying to make up for being the boss from hell yesterday.”

  “Truly?” He’d just veered into completely different territory from Ron, who never even thought about apologizing, or doing something nice to make up for his actions.

  “Thought maybe you two could use a day out with fresh air and good food.”

  The refreshing shift from “same old story” to “second verse, better than the first” buoyed her spirits.

  “A party at The Drumcliffe?” She broke into a grin that came straight from her heart. Yeah, apparently she was that easy. “We’d love to come. Did I ever tell you I stayed at your hotel around six years ago, when Ron first brought me to visit?”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I loved that place right from the start. That’s why I came back here to live when we divorced. Paso Robles is okay, but it’s too far inland. Plus I wanted to get away from him and his new lady.” A burst of excitement had her talking more than she probably should, another old, hopefully not annoying, habit. But she’d just been asked out by her boss for a family gathering, and in her mind, that was a big deal. “Something about the cliffs and the ocean reminded me of Sligo Bay, back home. But it’s much less rugged here. Anyway, I think your family owns a beautiful hotel.”

  “Wow. Small world. Well, I’m glad you like it. So you’ll come, then?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Oh, another thing.” He’d turned to leave, a pleased smile on his face, but paused. “No gift, okay? The old guy has everything he could possibly ever need. Your company will be more than enough.” Daniel looked back, a new glint in those verdant green eyes. “I’ll pick you up at one.”

  “You’re picking us up?”

  “I invited you, didn’t I?”

  Okay. Now what was she supposed to do with that? She fiddled with her hair, tucking one side behind her ear, a faint sense of happiness tingling in her chest. She wasn’t getting fired, and he’d invited her to a family gathering. Was this an apology date?

  * * *

  Sunday turned out to be a gorgeous sunny spring day at Sandpiper Beach, and Keela hadn’t been this excited about going somewhere in a long time. Anna was practically bouncing off the walls of the tiny and barely upgraded 1930s beach cottage.

  “Yay, a birthday party.”

  “Remember, this is a grown-up party, so it won’t be that much fun.”

  “Will there be games?”

  “I don’t think so, my love, but I’m sure there’ll be cake.”

  “Yay! And ice cream?”

  “What’s a birthday without ice cream?” Keela hoped there’d be ice cream, otherwise she’d have to take Anna to the parlor near their clinic for a cone afterward.

  Her daughter rushed to the cramped living room to peer out the window. “I like Dr. Daniel!”

  He’d been surprisingly kind to Anna last Wednesday, even though at first he’d acted uninterested and maybe even a little put out about it. But thanks to her daughter’s approval, and remembering that instant over lunch when something special seemed to click between them, Keela had taken a second look at her boss. The other day, he’d reminded her of Ron, but then he’d apologized and veered into new territory with the invitation. Maybe she liked Dr. Daniel, too?

  Butterflies fought for territory in her stomach as she smoothed her hands over her hair and checked her makeup in the mirror of the tiny pink-tiled bathroom. Too much? Not enough? Oh, what did it matter? Daniel Delaney hardly knew she existed. Beyond being a good employee, that was. The invitation was his way to apologize for taking his usual moderately gruff self and upgrading to outright brusque. Sure, she’d noticed, and it didn’t make a lot of sense, especially after their fun lunch together. But once she’d realized he hadn’t planned to fire her, she was fine with whatever he needed to do. This wasn’t a date. The man always seemed to go out of his way to avoid looking at her, unless they had specific patient care to discuss. Yet Thursday over Chinese food he’d watched her with clear interest, nearly nonstop.

  His deep brown hair was straight and thick, and she liked how he wore it swept off his forehead and neatly trimmed around his ears and neck. But what she liked the most was his Irish grin, wide and friendly, reminding her of being back home. She hadn’t noticed it before lunch on Thursday, since he rarely smiled like that at work.

  He was medium height, maybe five-ten or -eleven, but far taller than her five foot three. She always had to look up to see his eyes. She took a quick inhalation. Oh, those eyes, moss-green and downright swoon-worthy... But wait, she didn’t do that anymore—think about guys. Or swoon. After the heartbreak she’d been through with Ron, and the divorce, no man was worth it. Besides, Daniel was her boss. Only a fool would risk her job by getting involved with the boss.

  Anna had to come first these days. Nothing else mattered.

  Keela’s phone rang, and when she saw it was her ex-husband, her earlier hopeful mood slumped. What would he be calling about? Ever since his girlfriend, Ingrid—the woman who’d brought about their divorce—had given birth to their son, it seemed Ron had lost interest in Anna.

  Stiff upper lip. “Hey, Ron, what’s up?”

  “Thought we’d pick Anna up and take her to lunch with us.”

  “Oh, shoot, any other day would’ve been great, but we’ve got a birthday party to go to.” Why today? He frequently skipped his visitation days, like last Wednesday, and this wasn’t the usual weekend they’d agreed to, even though he’d never come to get her since the baby was born. Now, out of the blue—

  “There’ll be other birthday parties,” he said. “It’s time she m
et her little brother.”

  She could have done that on Wednesday, eejit. Keela had to think fast, since she knew how he always insisted on getting his way. “Oh, yes, I think she’d love to meet her little brother, Diesel.” The baby had to be nine or ten months by now. “But she’s been looking forward to this party so much. She’s dressed and ready to go. How about next Saturday or Sunday? She could sleep over, even—that is if you wanted her to.” Keela also knew not to push Anna on Ron, or he’d pull back even more. The fact that he’d seemed to have nearly forgotten their daughter since he’d had his son made Keela’s heart squeeze. “Would that be all right?”

  Silence. “Ron, are you there?”

  “We’ll see about next weekend. Okay, gotta go.”

  Just like old times, she’d messed up and he’d gotten ticked off. He hung up before Keela could say goodbye, probably avoiding giving her a chance to mention he was late again with his child support payments—was that why he’d skipped out on Wednesday? But that didn’t matter nearly as much as his not even bothering to ask to speak to Anna. That was his routine. If he didn’t get his way, someone had to pay, and today it was her sweet and completely innocent daughter.

  Keela had gotten bloody good at taking his crap, but Anna never deserved it. To hell with that stiff upper lip. Her chin quivered on her daughter’s behalf, and her eyes blinked several times. She took a quick inhale, hoping to recover. Anna couldn’t see her like this; it would upset her. Thankfully, she’d had the conversation in the bathroom, and her eager daughter was still keeping watch at the front window. What she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.

  “Mom! Dr. Daniel’s at the door!”

  A surprising burst of excitement lit up Keela’s chest—Daniel was here—helping her forget about the call. She wiped at her eyes and did a quick once-around in front of the full-length mirror on the bathroom door, ensuring her tan pants didn’t make her backside look too big, and that her tank top with a matching camellia-pink sweater didn’t show too much on the topside. Were her earrings okay? Would it be too much if she slipped on a bracelet?