A Mother for Cindy

“But not your husband?” Nick asked, a lazy smile accompanying the question.

“He loved them, too, but he died four years ago. A freak accident. He was struck by lightning.” There she went, telling a person more than he asked.

“I’m sorry.”

“Daddy, Bingo can do all kinds of tricks. Watch.” Cindy stood. “Roll over.” After the dog performed that task, she said, “Sit. Shake hands.” The little girl took his paw in her hand. “Isn’t he terrific? Dogs make good pets.”

Nick tried to contain his grin, but it lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m sure they do, princess.”

“Then we can get one?” Cindy turned her hopeful expression on him.

“I’ll think about it when we return to Chicago.”

“You will?”

“That isn’t a yes, young lady. Just a promise to consider it.”

Cindy leaned close to Jesse and whispered loudly, “That means we’ll get one when Daddy says that.”

“I heard that, Cynthia Rebecca Blackburn.”

“Oh, I’m in big trouble now. He’s using my full name.” The little girl giggled and began petting Bingo.

“Would you like to throw the ball for him? He loves to play catch.” Jesse retrieved a red ball from the flower bed loaded with multicolored pansies along the front of her house.

“Yes.” Cindy moved out into the yard and tossed Bingo’s toy toward her yard. The dog chased it down.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Cindy, but I know where you could get a poodle puppy.”

His dark gaze fixed on her. “Thank you for not saying anything in front of Cindy.”

“Then you aren’t interested?” She heard her disappointment in her voice and grimaced. She never liked fostering her ideas onto another—well, maybe she did. Anyway, pets were good for children and clearly his daughter loved animals.

“I don’t know. I—” He looked toward Cindy. “I’ve never had a dog before. Or any pet for that matter.”

For just a few seconds she glimpsed a vulnerability in his expression before he veiled it. “If you decide to get one, I’ll help.”

“Until we go back to Chicago.” A self-mocking grin graced his mouth. “Then, I’m on my own.”

“It’s not that difficult. Love is the most important ingredient.”

“Isn’t it always?”

“Yes, it is.” She couldn’t help wondering where his world-weary tone came from.

He took a deep breath. “I’ll think about the puppy. I’ll have to consult Boswell, too, since he’ll be taking care of the dog.”

“Is that the older gentleman I’ve seen leaving your house?”

“Completely bald?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s Boswell. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He takes care of the everyday details of my life as well as Cindy’s.”

“Cindy said something about you working this afternoon. What do you do?”

“I’m CEO of Blackburn Industries. We’re into a little of everything it seems.”

“And you live in an apartment?” she asked without really thinking. Her picture of his home obviously wasn’t right.

A sheepish look fell over his features. “I guess it isn’t your idea of an apartment. It takes up the top floor of the building I own on the lake in downtown Chicago.”

She chuckled. “No. What pops into my mind is maybe four or five rooms at the most.”

“Okay, maybe I have space for a pet. I just think dogs should have a yard. All I have is a terrace. Not the same thing.”

“If you don’t think a dog is a good idea, I know a lady in town who has some kittens she wants to find a home for.”

“I get the distinct impression that if I want something, you’re the lady to come to.”

Jesse warmed under the smile directed at her. The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepened and his stance relaxed completely. “I do know what’s going on around Sweetwater. If it’s to be had, I can probably get it for you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“A kitten can be a totally indoor animal.”

He threw up his hands. “Enough,” he said, laughing. “You’ve convinced me, but I still need to talk with Boswell. Thank you for showing Bingo to Cindy. I haven’t seen her smile like that in a while.” He turned to leave, then glanced back at her. “You know, I could use a negotiator like you working for my company. If you ever think about moving to Chicago—”

Jesse shook her head, the idea of a big city sending a chill through her. “No, that will never happen. My home is here. I’ve lived here all my life and can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Oh, well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.” He started toward his daughter.

“I’ll see you at six-thirty tomorrow night.”

He stopped and swung back around, a question in his eyes.

“The dinner party. Casual attire. And Cindy is invited, too, as well as Boswell.”

Cindy pulled on his arm. “Can we come, Daddy?”

“Sure, princess, if it’s not too much trouble.” He peered at Jesse.

“No problem. A piece of cake. I throw parties all the time.”

Jesse watched the father and daughter walk away. If he only knew about her famous little dinner parties, he might pack up and leave in the dead of night. Tara Cummings would be perfect for him. Cindy needed a mother and Nick needed—well, he seemed awfully lonely. He masked his vulnerability well, but she’d glimpsed it. Besides, any man who worked all the time needed to loosen up. There was more to life than work. Tara was definitely the person to match him with, especially after Clint broke off their engagement. Jesse hurried inside to call her friend.

Chapter Two

“Tara, you’re early,” Jesse exclaimed when she opened her front door to find her friend standing on the porch.

“I wanted all the juicy details before I meet this man. I heard the Millers weren’t coming this summer to Sweetwater Lake. It’s your new neighbor, isn’t it?”

Jesse turned away from Tara. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Jesse Bradshaw, we all know when you throw one of these little dinner parties it’s to fix someone up. I’m single and recently out of a relationship. Perfect target for your matchmaking.”

“I invited Susan Reed tonight, too. You won’t be the only one single.”

“If we exclude you, I’ll be the only single woman here under the age of fifty. Right?”

Jesse slid her gaze away. “Cindy’s coming.”

“Who’s Cindy?”

“My neighbor’s almost-seven-year-old daughter.”

“I knew it! You’re up to your old tricks. Okay, tell me about your new neighbor. I’ve heard he is dynamite-looking, some kind of millionaire, and besides having a little girl, he has a manservant. He’s from Chicago and is only here for a couple of months.”

“Where did you hear all that?”

“The usual.”

“Susan Reed?”

Tara nodded. “The best source of info in this town. Far better than our newspaper.”

“There isn’t much else I can add.” For some reason she didn’t feel right gossiping about Nick. Tara would have to discover for herself how vulnerable he was, how lonely he was, how attractive—whoa, stop right there, Jesse Bradshaw! A little inner voice yelled.

“Susan said something about you talking to him yesterday. Is he nice?”

“I wouldn’t have invited you if he wasn’t.”

Tara brushed her long black hair behind her shoulders. “I knew that. I guess I’m a little nervous. Ever since Clint ran out on me, I’m a little gun-shy.”

Jesse put an arm around her friend and began walking her toward the kitchen. “Perfectly understandable. Clint will regret his hasty decision one day.”

“I just don’t understand why he left.”

Jesse patted Tara’s arm. “Neither do I.”

“Do you think he was overwhelmed with the wedding preparations? He kept asking me to elope with him and end the madness. I should have listened to him.” Tears filled Tara’s eyes.

“There, there. You’ll forget about him in no time.” Jesse continued to comfort her friend while she glanced up at the clock over her stove. Fifteen minutes and still so much to do. “You’ll see, tonight will be the beginning of something magical.”

Tara pulled back. “You think?”

“You know me. I have a sixth sense when it comes to matching people up.”

Tara gave her a skeptical look. “You’re the one who fixed me up with Clint last year.”

The heat of embarrassment singed Jesse’s cheeks. “We all fail every once in a while. Just a temporary setback.” She waved her hand in the air. “Look at Maggie and Neil. They’re getting married next month. It all started here one evening at one of my little dinner parties.”

“Don’t get me wrong, but they haven’t gotten married yet. They had a loud argument today at the bank. I wouldn’t be surprised if the wedding was called off.”

“They did?”

“Yeah. He was angry about the money she was spending on the wedding.”

The timer on her stove buzzed. Jesse jumped, startled by the sound, but glad for the interruption. She would check with Maggie tomorrow to see what was going on. Her reputation was obviously at stake here. “I’d better get these cookies before they burn.”

“Chocolate chip?”

“What other kind is there?” Jesse reached into the oven at the same time the doorbell chimed. “Can you get that? I have one more batch to stick in, then I’ll be in the living room. Just make Nick and his daughter feel at home.”

“It could be Susan Reed.”

“Nah. Gramps went to pick her up. You know he takes forever.”

Tara halted at the entrance into the kitchen. “Is there something going on there that I should know about?”

Jesse laughed. “Could be. They’ve been friends for a long time and are now finally dating. It’s about time that Gramps got involved with someone.” So he will stop meddling in my life, she added silently.

“Now I know why you asked Susan here this evening. You’re killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.”

The doorbell rang again.

“Go, before my guests decide I’m not home.”

“He sure is impatient,” Tara grumbled and made her way toward the front door.

While spooning cookie dough onto the baking sheet, Jesse tried to listen to the people in the foyer. It was awfully quiet for a good minute, then she heard Tara’s raised voice. Not a good sign. Jesse quickly finished her task and stuck the cookies into the oven.

When a man’s voice answered Tara, Jesse knew something had gone wrong. That wasn’t Nick speaking. She remembered his voice—how could she forget such a deep, raspy baritone that sent chills down her spine? Hurrying into the living room, Jesse came to an abrupt halt just inside the doorway. Standing toe-to-toe in her house, hands balled at their sides, were Tara and Clint, both furiously whispering to each other.

“Clint, what are you doing here?” Jesse asked, wiping her hands on her sunflower apron. I didn’t invite you, she silently added, visions of all her hard work that day going up in smoke.

He shot Jesse a narrowed look. “Coming to stop my woman from making a mistake.”

“I’m having dinner. How can that be a mistake?” Tara’s voice rose again. “And I’m not your woman. Not since you sped away from my house after calling our wedding off so fast you probably got whiplash.”

“We all know why Jesse has these little dinner parties.”

The doorbell sounded. Dread trembled through Jesse. Oh great, her guest of honor had finally arrived and World War III was about to erupt in her living room. “Shh, Clint. If you behave yourself, you can stay,” Jesse said as she scurried past the couple, smoothing her apron down over her white pants.

“And watch Tara flirt—”

“Clint Clayborne, you heard Jesse. Quiet.”

The man thankfully closed his mouth, but the mutinous expression on his face spoke volumes. This wasn’t going to be the fun-packed evening she’d envisioned, Jesse thought as she plastered a wide smile on her face and pulled open her front door.

“I’m sorry I’m late, but I got a last-minute call I had to take.”

Nick returned her smile with a heartwarming one that quickened her pulse. “That’s okay. Gramps isn’t back with Susan Reed yet. Come in.” Jesse stood to the side to allow Nick, Cindy and an older man, with a completely bald head, to enter. She offered her hand to him. “You must be Boswell.”

“Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bradshaw.”

“Please, Jesse.”

She eyed the man dressed in an impeccable black suit, even though it was nearly summer and the dinner was a casual affair. Boswell fit the bill perfectly for a proper English butler with a rich accent, she thought, and she decided her grandfather would have competition for Susan’s interest. That might shake things up a bit tonight—not to mention Clint sending her dagger looks every time she glanced his way.

“Mom. I can’t find Bingo.” Her son came to a screeching halt in the hallway.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my son. Nate, this is Cindy, her father, Mr. Blackburn, and Mr. Boswell.”

“Just Boswell, madam.”

Barking followed by honking permeated the sudden silence. “I think Bingo is out back.”

“He knows to stay away from Fred and Ethel.” Nate hurried toward the kitchen.

“Please have a seat in the living room. I’d better check on Bingo,” Jesse murmured, following her son.

Before she took two steps into the kitchen, the dog shot through the doggie door and raced past her as if monsters were on his tail. She heard one of her geese’s familiar honking and realized the dog had narrowly escaped—again.

“I thought he learned his lesson the last time,” Jesse muttered as her son rushed after his pet.

“I only have to have one confrontation with those…geese to know not to get within a hundred yards of them.”

Jesse jumped, surprised at the sound of Nick’s voice behind her. He had come into the kitchen through the dining room and stood framed in the entrance, looking wonderfully handsome in denim jeans and a casual light-blue knit shirt.

“Then you’re smarter than Bingo.”

“What a relief.” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorjamb, a crooked grin on his face. “Can I help you with anything?”

“With Boswell in your employ, I don’t see you asking to help out in the kitchen much.”

“I know my way around. I can fend for myself if the need ever arises. Remember, I served you tea yesterday.” Nick threw a glance over his shoulder and lowered his voice, “Besides, things are heating up in the living room and I thought I would give—the man and woman some privacy.”

“Oh, you must mean Tara and Clint.” She’d almost forgotten about them as though Nick’s appearance had wiped her mind blank. “Where’s Boswell and Cindy?”

“Cindy ran after Bingo and Boswell ran after Cindy.”

“They’re probably all in Nate’s room by now trying to coax the dog out from under the bed. That’s where he goes to hide from Fred and Ethel.”

“Not a bad idea. Smart dog.”

“I’ve got everything under control.”

Nick’s brows shot upward.

“The dinner, I mean.”

“Are you sure?” He gestured toward the stove.

Jesse whirled about, the scent of burning cookies mocking her words. If she hadn’t been so preoccupied with her new neighbor, her senses totally focused on him, she might have remembered she’d had them in the oven or at least smelled something was wrong before it was too late. He had a way of dominating her thoughts. Scary. She was definitely glad he was only going to be here a few months.

Rushing forward, she yanked open the door, smoke billowing out into the kitchen. She coughed, the blast of heat hitting her. Grabbing the hot pads, she pulled out the baking sheet with fifteen toasty, dark-brown chocolate chip cookies on it.

She dumped them in the kitchen sink along with the baking sheet, then turned to find Nick not two feet behind her. Heat scored her cheeks, and she attributed it to the oven temperature bathing her face not seconds before, not to the fact he was so near that she actually could smell his clean, fresh scent with a hint of lime. It vied with the scent of scorched cookies and definitely was a much more pleasant aroma.

“Thankfully that’s only one batch of the cookies. Dessert isn’t completely ruined.” She fought a strong urge to fan herself and instead flipped on the exhaust fan over the stove.

He scanned the kitchen which was neat and clean with little evidence of any meal preparation having taken place. “What are we having tonight?”

“Aren’t cookies enough? Granted, I don’t have as many as I wanted, but I think each person will have at least three of them.”

“A virtual feast. You’ll get no protest from Cindy.”

“And you?”

He shifted and leaned against the counter, taking his weight off his right leg. “I may need a bit more nourishment.”

“Well, in that case, I have a potato salad, hamburgers and baked beans. I thought that would suit the children better. Now that the cookies are done, I’ll put the beans in the oven and start the grill.” She moved toward the refrigerator and took a casserole dish out.

“Grill them? Out back?”

Jesse peered at him as she placed the beans on the rack in the oven. “Yes.”

“With those mon—geese?”

“The grill is on the deck. I thought we would eat out there, too. The evening is lovely. Fred and Ethel won’t bother us.”

“Weren’t they just out on the deck chasing Bingo?”

“No, they always stop short of coming up the steps.”

“You couldn’t tell from the racket they were making.”

“When night comes, they settle down.”

“Night isn’t for a few more hours.”

She straightened, looking him directly in the eyes. “Trust me. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m not worried about myself, but Cindy was very upset yesterday morning.”

“I know, but I want her to feel comfortable over here. Fred and Ethel will stay by the lake and their nest. I promise.” She sensed the little girl needed a woman’s influence right now in her life. She could never turn her back on a child in need. She intended to befriend Cindy while she was here. “If you want to help, you can bring the tray in the refrigerator out onto the deck while I check to make sure Tara and Clint are all right.”

Nick pushed away from the counter. “I haven’t heard any sounds from the living room in the past five minutes.”

“No, and that has me worried. They were engaged and Clint called it off the other day, just weeks before they were to be married. Claimed he wasn’t ready for marriage.”

“Smart guy.”

Jesse halted at the entrance into the dining room. She remembered Cindy’s words about wishing she had a mother. “You don’t believe in marriage?”

“It’s fine for some people, but I’m not one of them.”

The bitterness in his voice caused her heart to ache for the pain he must have endured. What had made him so against marriage? His late wife? Her death? She recalled her own anger after her husband had died. But she was definitely over that. She had been lucky to have one good marriage. The Lord had been good to her and she wanted to share the bounty. She wanted others to have what she’d had.

She escaped into the dining room, warily approaching the living room. She didn’t hear any voices. Had they done bodily harm to each other? Clint had been furious that Tara was at one of her little dinner parties. When Jesse stepped into the room, she stopped at the doorway. Clint’s arms were wrapped around Tara, his lips locked to hers, their bodies pressed together. The couple didn’t even hear her come in nor sense her, so absorbed were they in each other. She was happy for her friend, but now, who was she going to find for Nick? The man needed a good woman to ease the pain in his heart. And Cindy needed a mother.

Deciding she had to rethink her strategy, Jesse started to back out of the living room when Clint and Tara came up for air. Her friend peered over at her and smiled.

“Clint ask me to run off and get married and I said yes.” Tara’s eyes were bright with happiness. “We’re leaving tonight. Not a word to anyone until tomorrow, Jesse.”

She held up her hands. “Not a peep out of me. Promise.”

Clint threw her a perturbed look. “I should be really mad at you, Jesse, but I guess this dinner you planned knocked some sense into me, so for that reason you’ll be welcome in our home.” He drew Tara against him. “We need to get moving before Susan gets here.”

Tara hurried to Jesse and hugged her. “You know just the right thing to do. What a matchmaker you are! I owe you.”

The couple was gone before Jesse could blink. Okay, this was a success. Not quite the one she had planned for the evening, but a match had been made. She would end this evening early and start over tomorrow. There had to be someone for Nick Blackburn, someone special who could change his mind about marriage and give Cindy what she wanted.

His leg ached. Sinking onto a chair on the deck, Nick rubbed it. The two geese were keeping a wary eye on him and he was keeping a wary eye on them out in the yard under a giant maple with a tree house in it and a large sign posted that read, No Girls Alowed. He chuckled at the sign on the ladder leading up to the tree house. What a cool place to escape to and play in. As a boy he would have liked it. But his childhood had been very different from Jesse’s son’s.

He couldn’t believe he was even here this evening. He was doing it for his daughter who had taken a liking to Jesse. She needed a woman’s influence in her life and most likely wasn’t going to have one when they returned to Chicago in a few months.

Just this morning Cindy asked him about makeup. Six years old! His baby! He had told her she was years—and years—away from wearing any. She had wanted to know where her mother’s was. That had stopped him cold. He had hated to tell her he’d thrown it out. The look on his daughter’s face made him regret doing it in a fit of anger after he’d come home from the hospital that first time.

The throbbing in his leg reinforced his determination to wipe his wife from his memory. The only good thing that had come of their marriage was Cindy, but what was he supposed to do with a little girl? He felt out of his element. He was at home in a boardroom, not playing dolls with his daughter.

He was determined to bond with Cindy one way or another these next couple of months. He owed her that after the past year with him in and out of the hospital having several surgeries on his leg or with him working long hours at his company because of all the time he had been injured. Now at least, he had a good team in place who could run the business while he kept in touch long distance. The only thing he needed to figure out was how he was going to accomplish bonding with his only child.

“I hope you’re hungry. I think I prepared enough to feed half of Sweetwater.”

Shoving away those memories he usually kept locked up, Nick turned his full attention to the petite woman hurrying across the deck toward him. She reminded him of a breath of fresh air. He liked her straightforward manner, something he wasn’t used to in a woman. With his wife he’d never been sure what mood she would be in. Their last year of marriage, all they had done was argue.

“I can probably eat my fair share.” He pushed to his feet, ignoring the dull throb that he hadn’t managed to massage away.

Favoring his leg, he made his way to the propane grill, ready to assist Jesse. After she lit the grill, she slapped the hamburgers on the metal rack and stood back. He took a deep breath, inhaling her particular scent of jasmine. It teased his senses, reminding him he hadn’t been around too many women socially this past year. He wanted to lean close and take another deep breath. He didn’t.

Needing some space, he stepped to the railing, his back to her. He stared at the lake, its smooth, blue water having a calming effect on him. “It looks like you have everything under control.”

“Yeah. Gramps accuses me of being a control freak. I’m not. Just very organized.”

“So am I. I find it’s easier to run a company that way.”

“And a house.” She came to stand next to him.

Her arm brushed against his. He tensed, the feel of her electric. He sidled a step away, a finely honed tension bolting through him. “Where’s everyone? Still trying to coax Bingo out from under the bed?”